Melbourne's Vertical Challenge
Melbourne is becoming an increasingly vertical city. Moving into or out of a high-rise apartment involves logistics that a standard house move does not: lift bookings, loading dock schedules, building manager requirements, and common area protection rules. Knowing the process before you start saves hours, stress, and unexpected costs.
Key Takeaways
Most Melbourne apartment buildings require lift bookings of 2 to 4 hours, booked 7 to 14 days in advance, often with a refundable bond
Loading dock access is typically time-restricted and shared with other residents, deliveries, and waste collection
Common area protection (carpet runners, lift padding, door jamb guards) is mandatory in most buildings and may be the removalist's or the resident's responsibility depending on the building
Apartment moves generally take longer per item than house moves due to lift wait times, floor restrictions, and corridor distances
Two Melbourne branches (Clayton and Sunshine West) service the CBD and inner suburbs with crews experienced in high-rise logistics
What do I need to arrange with my building before moving?
Every building has its own rules, but most Melbourne apartment complexes require the following before a move can proceed.
Building move-in checklist
Requirement | Typical Rule | When to Arrange |
Lift booking | 2-4 hour window for exclusive or priority use of the service lift | 7-14 days before move |
Loading dock reservation | Timed slot (often 2 hours max); vehicle height/length limits apply | 7-14 days before move |
Move-in bond | $200-$500 refundable bond held against common area damage | At time of booking |
Common area protection | Carpet runners, lift padding, door guards; some buildings supply, others expect the removalist to provide | Confirm with building manager |
Insurance certificate | Some buildings require the removalist's public liability certificate on file before the move | Request from your removalist |
After-hours permission | Moves outside business hours may require strata approval and additional building manager fees | 2-4 weeks before move |
Contact your building manager or body corporate as soon as you have a moving date. Buildings in Southbank, Docklands, and the CBD often have limited move-in slots, particularly on weekends.
How does the lift affect an apartment move?
The lift is the single biggest variable in an apartment move. It determines how long the move takes, what furniture can physically enter the building, and how much it will cost.
Common lift challenges
Service lift dimensions vary significantly. A standard service lift in a modern tower might accommodate 2.4m long items, but older buildings may have lifts under 2m. Anything that does not fit must go via stairs or be refused
Shared lift access means your move window includes time waiting for other residents. A 3-hour booking may deliver only 2 hours of actual moving time
Lift breakdowns are rare but real. Experienced apartment removalists build contingency time into the schedule
No service lift in older walk-up buildings (common in Richmond, Fitzroy, Carlton) means every item goes via stairs, significantly increasing time and physical effort
Measure your service lift dimensions before booking. If large items do not fit, discuss alternatives with your removalist during the pre-move survey. Disassembly, external hoisting, or simply purchasing new furniture at the destination may be more practical than forcing an oversized item into an undersized lift.
