Moving Into a High-Rise or Condo in South Florida? What You Need to Know Before Moving Day
Moving into a condo or high-rise in South Florida can be very different from moving into a single-family home. Between elevator reservations, building rules, Certificates of Insurance, loading areas, parking restrictions, and limited moving hours, there can be quite a bit to coordinate before moving day.
At A-Class Moving & Storage, we regularly handle condo and high-rise moves throughout South Florida. A little preparation beforehand can make the difference between a smooth move and arriving at the building only to discover that your movers aren't allowed to begin.
Here are some of the most important things to take care of before your move.
1. Ask Your Building About Moving Requirements
As soon as you know your moving date, contact the condo association, property manager, or building management office.
Don't assume you'll be able to simply arrive with a moving truck.
Ask whether the building requires:
Advance approval for moves
A reserved service or freight elevator
A Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Specific moving hours
A refundable security or elevator deposit
Protective coverings for elevators, hallways, or floors
Advance registration of the moving company
A designated loading or parking area
Every building is different, so getting the requirements in writing is a good idea.
2. Reserve the Elevator Early
This is one of the most important parts of planning a South Florida condo move. Many buildings require residents to reserve a service or freight elevator specifically for their move. Some buildings only allow one move at a time, which means popular dates can fill quickly.
Ask management:
Do I need to reserve an elevator, and what times are available?
Also confirm how much time you're given. If your reservation is from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM, for example, your moving company needs to know that ahead of time.
Missing an elevator reservation can delay your move or, in some buildings, prevent it from happening that day.
3. Find Out Whether a Certificate of Insurance Is Required
Many South Florida condominiums require the moving company to provide a Certificate of Insurance, commonly referred to as a COI. The building may have very specific requirements regarding coverage and how the condominium association, management company, or other entities need to appear on the certificate.
Ask your building management for its moving insurance requirements or sample COI and provide that information to your moving company before moving day. Don't wait until the morning of the move to handle this.
4. Confirm the Building's Moving Hours
High-rise and condo buildings frequently restrict when movers can work. For example, a building may allow moves only during weekday business hours and prohibit moves on Sundays or holidays. Others may have a firm cutoff time.
This is particularly important when you're coordinating a move between two condos, because you need to know the moving restrictions at both locations. You don't want your movers loading everything at your old building only to arrive at your new building after its permitted moving hours have ended.
5. Ask Where the Moving Truck Can Park
Parking a moving truck at a high-rise can be more complicated than you might expect.
Some buildings have dedicated loading docks. Others require moving trucks to use a service entrance, loading zone, parking garage entrance, or designated area.
Before moving day, find out:
Where the truck is permitted to park
Whether loading-dock reservations are required
Whether there are truck height restrictions
Whether security needs the moving company's information
How far the truck will be from the elevator
That last point can have a significant impact on the move. A truck parked 30 feet from the service elevator is very different from a truck parked several hundred feet away.
6. Tell Your Movers About Long Carries
A long carry occurs when movers have to transport your belongings a significant distance between the truck and your residence or elevator. This is common at larger condo communities and high-rise properties.
If your movers need to travel through a parking garage, across a loading area, through multiple hallways, and then into an elevator, the move can take longer than a straightforward house-to-truck move.
Providing this information when requesting your estimate helps the moving company determine the appropriate crew size and provide a more accurate estimate.
7. Don't Forget About Both Buildings
If you're moving from one condo to another, repeat this entire process for both properties.
Your current building and your new building may have completely different requirements.
Confirm:
Origin building: elevator, COI, parking/loading area and permitted moving hours.
Destination building: elevator, COI, parking/loading area and permitted moving hours.
One building being ready isn't enough if the other isn't.
8. Give Your Moving Company Complete Information
When requesting your moving estimate, tell your mover that you're moving into or out of a condo or high-rise.
Provide as much information as possible, including:
Floor number
Elevator availability
Elevator reservation time
Distance from the unit to the elevator
Distance from the elevator to the truck
Loading-dock information
Parking restrictions
Building moving hours
Any oversized or unusually heavy furniture
The more your moving company knows beforehand, the better it can prepare for your move.
9. Prepare Your Condo Before the Movers Arrive
There are also a few things you can do inside your residence to keep moving day efficient.
Have boxes packed and labeled, disconnect electronics, remove items from furniture that needs to be moved, and make sure movers have a clear path through the unit. If certain items aren't being moved, clearly separate or identify them.
If you're unsure whether something will be moved, it's generally better to include it when requesting your estimate. Items can always be removed from the move later.
10. Choose Movers Experienced With South Florida Condo Moves
Condo moving requires more coordination than many residential moves. An experienced moving company should understand how to work with property managers, building security, loading docks, freight elevators, COI requirements, and strict scheduling windows.
That experience becomes especially important in South Florida, where condos and high-rise communities make up a significant portion of residential moves.
FAQ's About South Florida Condo Moves
Do condo buildings require movers to have insurance?
Many South Florida condo and high-rise buildings require the moving company to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the move. Requirements vary by property, so ask your building management for its specific insurance requirements and provide them to your moving company well before moving day.
How far in advance should I reserve a freight elevator?
Reserve your elevator as soon as your moving date is confirmed. Many buildings only allow one move at a time, and desirable dates and time slots can fill quickly, especially near the end of the month and on permitted weekend dates.
Can movers move into a condo on weekends?
It depends on the building. Some condominiums allow Saturday moves, while others restrict moving to weekdays or specific hours. Always confirm permitted moving days and hours with both your current and new building.
What happens if my movers arrive without a COI?
If your building requires a COI and doesn't have an approved certificate on file, security or management may refuse to allow the moving company onto the property. This can delay or even reschedule your move, so it's best to handle COI requirements in advance.
Do I need to reserve the loading dock for my move?
Some high-rise buildings require both a freight elevator and loading-dock reservation. Ask management where the moving truck should park and whether the loading area needs to be reserved.
What information should I give my moving company about my condo?
Tell your mover your floor number, elevator availability and reservation time, permitted moving hours, parking or loading-dock arrangements, COI requirements, and approximately how far your unit is from the elevator and the elevator is from the truck.
Why can a condo move take longer than a house move?
Elevator wait times, long hallways, loading docks, security procedures, parking restrictions, and the distance between the truck and your unit can add time. Providing these details beforehand helps your moving company plan the appropriate crew and estimate the move more accurately.
What if I'm moving from one condo building to another?
Check the requirements at both buildings. Your origin and destination may have different elevator reservations, COI requirements, loading areas, security procedures, and permitted moving hours. Coordinating both schedules is especially important.
Can A-Class Moving & Storage handle condo and high-rise moves?
Yes. A-Class Moving & Storage handles condo, apartment, and high-rise moves throughout South Florida. We can work within building requirements and coordinate around elevator reservations, loading areas, moving hours, and COI requirements to help keep your move running smoothly.
Planning a Condo Move in South Florida?
A little preparation can make your condo move considerably easier.
A-Class Moving & Storage provides professional condo and high-rise moving services throughout South Florida. Our team can help coordinate the moving process while carefully protecting your furniture and belongings from pickup through delivery.
Whether you're moving across town or to another part of Florida, we'll help you plan the move around the specific requirements of your building.
Moving soon? Contact A-Class Moving & Storage today for a free moving quote.
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