Condo moving made easy: your high-rise relocation guide

The golden rule of high-rise moving

Moving out of a house gives you the whole day. Moving into a condo means you are on a ticking clock. Most buildings only give you a strict 2-to-3-hour window with the service elevator. Success entirely depends on being organized before the truck arrives at the loading dock.

6-8 weeks before moving day

• Request the "Move-In Package": Email your new property manager for the official moving rules.
• Measure the elevator: Don't just measure your new front door. Ask the concierge for the exact dimensions of the service elevator to ensure your sofa fits.
• Start decluttering: Condos have limited square footage and tiny lockers. Sell, donate, or recycle aggressively. The less you move, the faster you beat the elevator clock.
• Check the loading dock: Ask about the maximum vehicle clearance height so you can inform your movers.

4 weeks before

• Book the elevator: Officially reserve your time slot. Many buildings require a refundable damage deposit (often $200–$500) via certified cheque.
• Book your condo-savvy mover: Confirm they can accommodate your specific elevator window.
• Handle the COI: Ask your moving company to send their Certificate of Insurance directly to the property management office.
• Order uniform supplies: Mismatched bags and odd-sized boxes are terrible for stacking on dollies. Buy uniform moving boxes to speed up the elevator trips.

2 weeks before

• Start packing non-essentials: Seasonal clothes, books, and décor.
• Label by room + priority: “Kitchen – Open First”, “Locker”, “Fragile”.
• Book parking (if needed): If your building doesn't have a loading dock, apply for a temporary street parking permit for the moving truck.
• Set up buzzer codes: Ensure your phone number is programmed into the new building's intercom system.

1 week before

• Pack a condo essentials bag: Toilet paper, shower curtain, chargers, fobs, meds, snacks, and basic tools. Keep this on your person.
• Confirm logistics: Double-check the elevator booking times with the concierge at both locations.
• Empty outbuildings: Don't forget to pack up your current basement storage locker and grab your bike from the communal rack.

Moving day

• Do a pre-inspection: Walk the hallway and elevator with the concierge to document existing scratches before your movers begin (protect your deposit!).
• Protect the floors: Ensure your movers lay down neoprene floor runners to protect the condo's hallway carpets.
• Direct traffic: Stand in the unit and direct the unload using your room labels. Don't let the movers waste your elevator time rearranging furniture.
• Hand over the fobs: Coordinate the return of your old fobs, parking passes, and mailbox keys.

First 48 hours after

• Unpack by function: Bathroom → beds → kitchen basics → clothing.
• Drip-feed your boxes: Condo recycling chutes and bins fill up fast. Break down boxes flat and take them down in batches so you don't overwhelm the building's waste room.
• Test your keys: Verify your mailbox key, locker padlock, and garage fobs actually work.