Look at the route from the parking point to the unit door, segment by segment; photograph stairs, corners, and large item dimensions to reduce restrictions discovered only on moving day.
Short answer
For village houses, tong lau, or addresses without a lift, declare the actual floor, stair and corner dimensions, distance from parking point to the door, and whether large items can be dismantled before collection. Continuous route photos and an inventory list help the team assess feasibility and quote; having an address does not mean a vehicle can park at the door, nor can you assume all items can be moved via stairs.
Key summary
- Besides floors, also photograph stairs, landings, and the narrowest points.
- Village houses need to specify the actual parking point and walking route.
- Measure items and access routes; do not force tilting or disassembly yourself.
- Confirm special moving, use of public areas, and charges first; do not decide on site.
1. Describe the address using a route from the vehicle to the door.
The same house number might have multiple entrances, and navigation arrival points may not allow for loading/unloading. When enquiring, provide the correct entrance, visible landmarks, and estimated parking position, and explain if there are slopes, steps, narrow lanes, or if you need to pass through other properties.
Floor names in village houses or tong lau sometimes don't reflect actual stair counts; specify how many sets of stairs are between the ground floor and the unit. Verify rules for private roads, gates, or management offices yourself; do not assume moving vehicles can reach the door or occupy access paths for extended periods.
2. Continuous route photos are more useful than just a photo of the main entrance.
Photograph from the building entrance, stairs, landings, and corners all the way to the unit door, highlighting the narrowest or lowest points. If items are currently on a mezzanine, rooftop, or other levels, explain the route—do not just report an average residential floor and omit additional access paths.
Photos should focus on routes and items, avoiding neighbours or private documents. If there are restrictions not visible in photos, such as no stopping zones, specific personnel needing to open doors, or only moving at certain times, explain them in text to facilitate advance assessment.
3. Measure large items and stair corners together.
Record the length, width, and height of sofas, mattresses, wardrobes, and appliances, as well as the usable dimensions of door frames, stair width, and landing turning space. Passing through in a straight line does not mean you can turn at corners; weight, handhold positions, and moving posture also affect feasibility, so a single dimension cannot be a guarantee.
If unsure about disassembly, provide photos of the structure and joints for the team to assess. Do not dismantle electrical appliances, built-in equipment, or potentially unstable furniture yourself in a rush, and do not treat hoisting or external wall moving as services included in standard collection.
4. Clear safe routes and confirm who is responsible for preparation.
Remove scattered shoes, small sundries, and loose mats before collection to keep doorways and corridors safe to pass through. Keep children and pets away from moving routes; if you are aware of slippery or damaged steps or other risks, inform us in advance—do not let the team discover them on the day.
If you need to book a freight lift, apply for loading/unloading, or protect public areas, verify requirements with the management office first, then confirm respective responsibilities with customer service. Do not occupy fire exits, neighbour spaces, or public facilities without permission, and do not assume moving staff will handle site engineering work.
5. Include stairs and distance in quote conditions.
Quotes should reflect actual site conditions, including floor level, whether there is a lift, and item-to-parking distance. Confirm whether extra work has a fee and how it is assessed in advance; this text lists items for checking and does not announce a set stair or distance surcharge.
If a lift originally thought available breaks down, roads are blocked, or the moving entrance changes, notify us as soon as possible. The team must re-confirm safety and feasibility; we cannot guarantee that temporary changes can be completed with original manpower, time slots, or prices, and important changes must be documented with new records.
6. Have someone on-site to guide and follow the list for collection.
Arrange for someone familiar with the site to meet at the agreed position; confirm the items to be moved and the route before starting. Separate similar boxes, furniture remaining in the unit, and items to be stored clearly; record disassembly or accessories with the main item number for easy checking later.
Re-check the route when moving into the new location; do not assume that because an item was moved out successfully from the old place, it will certainly fit into the new one. Stop and confirm with the team if there are any safety questions; do not force passage through narrow spots or use unassessed methods.
Comparison at a glance
| Location | What to provide | Avoiding omissions |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle to entrance | Parking point, route, and approximate walking distance | Slopes, narrow alleys, and gates |
| Entrance to unit | Floor level, stairs, landings, and door frames | Mezzanines, rooftops, and narrowest corners |
| Large items | Dimensions, photos, and if dismantlable | Accessories, damage, or unstable structures |
FAQs
- Is door-to-door storage impossible if there is no lift?
- Not necessarily; feasibility must be assessed based on stairs, items, weight, and access conditions. Provide complete information for customer service to confirm feasible arrangements and quotes; do not guarantee any item can be moved without assessment.
- Is just providing the house number enough for a village house quote?
- Usually, you still need to declare the actual entrance, parking point, walking route, and stairs. The navigation position might not be where loading/unloading is possible; providing route photos alongside large item dimensions is recommended.
- Can I switch to hoisting if it can't go up the stairs?
- Do not treat hoisting as an automatic fallback for standard collection. It involves professional assessment, safety, site conditions, and permits; feasibility must be confirmed separately, and you should not arrange or demand unassessed operations.
Further reading
The content of this article is for general reference only. Please determine actual arrangements based on item condition and the latest official guidelines.
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