Why access matters so much
Many older apartment buildings in Germany have no lift, narrow stairwells and turning landings. Then every box and every piece of furniture is carried by hand. Every floor and every metre of path takes time. This applies to both addresses: a lift at the old place helps little if the new flat is on the fourth floor without one.
Typical situations
| Situation | Effect on the move | Typical response |
|---|---|---|
| Ground floor or lift, van at the door | Fastest; fewest carries | Standard team size |
| 2nd floor without a lift | More carries; slower | One more helper |
| 3rd or 4th floor without a lift | Time can double; heavy items are risky | Two more helpers or a furniture lift (Möbelaufzug) |
| Narrow stairwell or large furniture | Items may not turn on landings | Lift through a window or balcony; take apart |
| Long carry from van to door | More time per trip | Shorter route; no-parking zone at the door |
Approximate planning values, not measurements. Your furniture and household can differ considerably. How much access matters depends on the individual building.
What to state for both addresses
- Floor.
- Lift yes or no, and if yes, how big.
- Width of the stairwell.
- Carry distance from the van to the front door in metres.
- Whether the van can stop right in front of the building.
An undisclosed fourth floor is a frequent reason for a quote to change on moving day. Honest details protect you from that. If the path to the door is long, a no-parking zone (Halteverbotszone) helps. How effort turns into cost is explained under moving costs.
In the moving planner you enter floor, lift and parking for both addresses; "?" is allowed if you do not know yet.
Plan your move