Moving guide
Moving Day Access and Parking Guide
The distance from the front door to a lawful loading position is repeated for almost every item. That makes access one of the strongest drivers of move duration. Check it at collection and delivery before accepting a plan, especially in controlled streets, flats and shared developments.
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Find a lawful loading position
Walk the approach at the time of day the move will happen. Note restrictions, bus gates, height or weight limits, narrow turns, school streets, market days and gates that require a code. A place where a car can pause is not automatically suitable for a removal vehicle. Measure or estimate the carry from the nearest usable position to the entrance, and send photographs showing the street in both directions. Never promise that cones or bins will reserve public highway space.
Permits and bay suspensions
Controlled parking rules differ by council and street. Some authorities issue dispensation permits; others require a bay suspension with several working days’ notice. The resident, mover or both may need to apply. Confirm the registration details and vehicle length the authority requires, the signs or documents that must be displayed and what happens if another vehicle occupies the bay. Keep the approval available on the day. Private estates and apartment buildings may have a separate booking process.
Stairs, lifts and internal routes
Record the floor at each stop, whether a lift is guaranteed for the full slot and its door and car dimensions. Mention steps before the main entrance, long corridors, tight landings and doors that cannot be held open. Protect shared areas as required and reserve the lift with building management. Large furniture may need disassembly even when its room doorway is wide because the limiting point is a stair turn or lift entrance. Do not assume a balcony lift or hoist is included unless specifically planned.
Reduce delays safely
Move cars, bins and garden items from the access route where you control them, but keep fire exits and pedestrian routes open. Have keys, entry codes and building contacts ready. Tell neighbours about reasonable disruption without claiming public space. At delivery, label rooms so the team does not carry items back through the property. If access changes—roadworks, broken lift, locked gate or lost permit—contact the mover early; the safe solution may require a different vehicle, start time or staff-reviewed plan.