Living in a high-rise apartment has its perks: Stunning city views, unique architectural designs, and the excitement of urban life. But as anyone who’s lived in one can tell you, moving in or out of these buildings can be a challenge.
Whether you’re moving into a new high-rise, switching between apartments in the same building, or heading out of one altogether, the logistics can get complicated. Tight building rules, elevator reservations, and even parking restrictions can make what should be an exciting chapter feel like a stressful task. How are you supposed to plan for all the little details along the way as you’re moving between apartments?
Thankfully, with a little planning, you can tackle your big moving day with ease. Here at National Van Lines, we’ve helped countless high-rise dwellers move to and from these kinds of units, from downtown condos to 20th-floor rentals. We’ve seen it all— and we’re here to help you avoid the common pitfalls. Here, we’ll walk through what it takes to successfully move in or out of a high-rise apartment.
Moving in, Out, or Between High-Rises: The Challenges You Didn’t Expect
Moving out of or between high-rise apartments involves more than just packing up your stuff and booking a moving company or rental truck. The unique layout and rules of these buildings can create a number of challenges that you might not anticipate when planning your move. Every step of the process needs to be planned carefully to avoid delays or setbacks.
Whether you’re headed to a new unit in the same building, moving out of a high-rise, or stepping into one for the first time, these are the top ten most common issues to look out for— before they become roadblocks on your moving day.
Elevator Access
- You Might Need to Reserve a Service Elevator
One of the first hurdles when moving out of a high-rise is securing access to the service elevator. Many buildings require you to book the elevator in advance, sometimes weeks ahead of your move. Without a reservation, you could end up waiting for a long time… or worse, miss your window completely.
Solution: Contact your building’s management or leasing office well in advance of your move to reserve the service elevator. Be sure to confirm your booking a few days before moving day to avoid any surprises.
- Size and Weight Restrictions Are Common
Even with a reserved elevator, you may find yourself limited by size and weight restrictions. Service elevators often have weight limits, and depending on the building, they might not be able to accommodate oversized furniture. If your couch was a tight fit in the elevator during move-in, there’s a chance it won’t make it out without an issue.
Solution: Double-check the elevator’s size and weight capacity with your building’s management before move day. If your items are too large, you might need to coordinate for a special move or rent a larger elevator (if available). Alternatively, consider breaking down large items, like a bed frame, to make them easier to transport.
Parking Considerations
- There’s Nowhere to Park the Truck
In many urban areas, high-rise buildings don’t have dedicated loading zones or ample parking. Without a designated spot, your movers may have to park far away, which can waste time and increase the cost of your move.
Solution: Check with your building’s management or local authorities about temporary parking permits or loading zones. If your building doesn’t offer one, consider reserving a nearby parking space or looking for street parking that allows trucks. Your movers can help you navigate this, but the earlier you plan, the smoother it will go.
- You May Need a Parking Permit
Some cities and buildings require a parking permit for moving trucks. If you don’t secure one in advance, you could find yourself facing a ticket… or, having to reschedule your move altogether.
Solution: Contact your building’s management or the local city office to inquire about parking permits and restrictions. Secure your permit well in advance to avoid unnecessary delays on moving day.
Building Rules
- Time Restrictions Limit When You Can Move
High-rise buildings often have rules about when moving can happen. Many have restricted hours to limit disruptions to other residents, which can be frustrating if you haven’t planned your timing properly. Verify with your building’s management about a specific time window available for your move.
Solution: Before booking your move, confirm with your building’s management or leasing office the exact hours during which moves are allowed. If they provide limited time windows, try to book your move during the less-busy hours, like early morning or mid-week, to avoid overlap with other residents.
- Your Movers May Need Special Insurance
To protect against potential damage, some buildings require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your moving company. This is often a last-minute detail that can hold up your move if it’s not handled in advance. Ensure your movers are aware of these requirements and can provide the necessary documentation in a timely manner.
Solution: Check with your building’s management to determine if a COI is required. If so, provide this information to your moving company as soon as possible. Your movers should be familiar with the process and should be able to obtain a COI quickly.
Logistics Vary By Floor
- Long Hallways and Tight Corners Slow Everything Down
High-rise buildings tend to have narrow hallways, tight doorways, and tricky turns. These small spaces can make it much harder to move furniture, especially large or bulky items. Expect the moving process to take longer than usual when dealing with tight corners and limited space.
Solution: Before moving day, walk through the building to assess the space and plan the best route for your movers. If possible, take measurements of hallways and doorways. Share these details with your moving team so they can come prepared with the right tools, like smaller furniture dollies, to help navigate tricky areas.
- Stairs Might Be Involved, Too
Even with an elevator, there are often situations where stairs are needed—whether it’s to get to the elevator, in case of an elevator breakdown, or because of limitations in the elevator’s capacity. Stairs can slow down your movers and add extra physical demand, so be prepared for the extra time and effort.
Solution: Check with your building’s management to see if stairs will be necessary. If there’s a possibility of needing to use them, ask your movers if they have experience with stairs or if they need additional help. You may want to have an extra set of hands available to assist in carrying items up or down.
The Stress of High-Rise Moves: How to Keep Things Smooth
Moving day in a high-rise can feel like a public event. Neighbors might be curious or even keep an eye on your progress. You might also encounter noise restrictions or building rules about blocking hallways, which can add to the pressure of moving.
It’s a good idea to notify your neighbors in advance about your move, especially if it’s a busy building. A simple email or a friendly note can help keep everyone informed and set expectations. Make sure to check with building management for any noise guidelines, and coordinate with your movers to minimize any disruption.
With so many moving parts (literally!) delays are almost always part of the picture. One late elevator, missing permit, or bad weather day can ripple through the whole process, making your move last longer than planned.
We recommend building some extra time into your schedule to account for potential delays. Having a buffer can help you stay calm and adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned. If you’re working with professional movers, they’ll be able to handle any hiccups along the way—but it’s still smart to leave room in your day for the unexpected.
Here’s a quick guide to how much time you might want to pad in, depending on your move:
- 1–2 extra hours if you’re moving during off-peak hours or have a low-traffic building
- 2–4 extra hours if your building has elevator reservations or limited parking
- A full extra day if you’re combining moves (like storage stops or two locations), or coordinating with another high-rise on the same day
Every move is different, but giving yourself a cushion helps prevent small delays from turning into major problems.
Wrapping Up Your High-Rise Move: Stay Prepared and Stay Calm
Moving in, out, or between high-rise apartments brings its own unique set of challenges, but with the right preparation, they don’t have to derail your entire moving day. Whether it’s securing elevator access, managing parking, or staying on top of building rules, knowing what to expect can help you stay on track and stress-free.
By planning ahead and working with experienced movers who understand the ins and outs of high-rise buildings, you can avoid common pitfalls and make the process much smoother.
So, you’re leaving your loft. You’re armed with the facts about what to expect when you’re handling a high rise apartment move. Wondering who might be the best option when it comes to selecting a moving company, especially for a long distance move?
Check out our guide for how to choose the best long distance mover for your needs.
