Elevator Charges and Moving Tips

What is an Elevator Carry Charge?

If you are moving to Kansas City and will be hiring a moving company, it is important to know that you can incur a charge from your Kansas City movers for having to use an elevator during the moving process. This is what is referred to as an elevator carry charge.

When researching moving companies, it is best to be aware that not every company will charge an elevator carry charge. However, the ones that do will most likely charge that additional fee per hour.

How to Know if Your Movers Have Elevator Charges

On the other hand, some movers might not have an elevator carry charge if you are moving locally. As always, our local Kansas City movers recommend that you research at least three different companies before you choose which one to hire. If you are moving from a location that requires using an elevator, make sure that you find out whether or not your movers have an elevator carry charge.

Once you select a moving company, there are a few moving tips to make sure that the movers are efficiently moving your belongings in the elevator.

How to Move Using an Elevator

Step 1
Contact the landlord or property manager. Discuss any restrictions that they may have for using the service elevator. Depending on the residence, the building may have a service elevator dedicated solely for tenant moves. Service elevators are separate from the ones that they use for the maintenance crew, so double-check with your landlord/property manager before our Kansas City residential movers start moving your belongings.

You will also want to discuss a time frame they feel is best for all of the building’s tenants. Once you work out the moving details with your landlord, be sure to relay them to your movers.

Step 2
Hold the elevator. After you have the logistics worked out with the property manager and moving company, you will want to make sure that you and your movers do not cause any damage to the elevator. If the elevator is not lined with padding, make sure that all corners of furniture are padded. This will avoid scratching the walls of the elevator and prevent your landlord from trying to charge you for moving damages.

Step 3

Proper Equipment. It is much easier to move your belongings in and out of an elevator if you have the proper equipment. If you have hired a moving company like All My Sons Moving & Storage, they should be professional enough to know that moving boxes with a dolly is the easiest way to move when using an elevator. Another piece of professional moving equipment that your movers should have on hand is a commercial hamper. Commercial hampers are perfect for moving multiple, large, even awkwardly-shaped items all at once. You can simply roll it in and out of the elevator.

Step 4

Moving Furniture. Moving furniture in an elevator can be extremely difficult and tedious, as it must be handled with caution and care. Before your movers show up, measure your largest pieces of furniture and determine how they will fit in the elevator. If they just barely fit, try removing the arms and legs. Our full-service movers will be able to properly disassemble your furniture, allowing it to fit in the elevator when you are moving out. They will also be able to reassemble it at your new residence as well.

Now that you have learned what an elevator carry charge is and some tips for moving in an elevator, all that’s left to do is to hire the right movers for the job! Contact our team of professionals at All My Sons Moving & Storage for your free, no-obligation quote.