Moving day is usually focused on getting boxes packed, furniture loaded and everything safely into the new property. But one easily overlooked problem can bring the whole process to a standstill: discovering that a piece of furniture will not fit through the door.
A sofa that is too wide for the hallway, a wardrobe that cannot make it around the stairs or a fridge that will not fit through the kitchen entrance can quickly cause delays, damage and additional costs.
The common mistake is measuring the room where furniture is going, but forgetting to measure the route it needs to take to get there.
According to removals expert Maureen Bennett of Islington-based Bennett Removals , spending a few minutes checking access points before moving day can help identify potential problems while there is still time to find a solution.
The room might be big enough, but the doorway might not be
The first mistake is assuming that if a piece of furniture fits inside a room, it will automatically fit through the entrance.
In reality, the route into the room can be more difficult than the space inside it. Door frames, narrow hallways, tight corners, staircases and low ceilings can all affect whether a large item can be moved safely.
Start by measuring the height, width and depth of your biggest belongings, including sofas, wardrobes, beds, dining tables and large appliances. Then measure the front door, internal doorways and any narrow areas the furniture will need to pass through.
“People tend to measure where the furniture is going, but not how it’s going to get there,” says Bennett. “A sofa might fit perfectly in the living room, but that doesn’t mean it will make it through the front door or around a tight hallway.”
Measure the whole route, not just the front door
The front door is an obvious place to start, but it is rarely the only measurement that matters.
Check the width and height of porches, hallways, internal doors and staircases. If the property has a tight turn or narrow landing, measure the available space there too.
Look out for anything that could reduce the available clearance, including bannisters, radiators, light fittings, low ceilings and doors that do not open fully.
This can be particularly important in older properties, flats and homes with unusual layouts, where furniture may need to pass through several rooms or around multiple corners before reaching its final destination.
Try the diagonal measurement
A piece of furniture that appears too tall or wide to fit through a doorway may fit when tilted at an angle.
Measuring the item’s diagonal dimensions can therefore provide another useful indication of whether it might pass through an opening. However, this is not a guarantee that it will fit, as there also needs to be enough space to rotate and manoeuvre the item safely.
Do not rely on forcing furniture through a narrow opening or bending it around a corner. If measurements are particularly tight, raise the issue with the removal team before moving day so they can assess the access requirements.
Don’t forget handles, hinges and protruding parts
When measuring furniture and appliances, use their maximum dimensions rather than simply measuring the main body.
Handles, feet, hinges, doors and other protruding parts can make an item wider or deeper than it initially appears. The same applies to furniture with removable components that may change the dimensions during transportation.
For large appliances, also consider how they will be disconnected and prepared for the move.
Washing machines, American-style refrigerators, freezers and range cookers can be particularly challenging because of their size, weight and connections. Anything requiring plumbing, electrical disconnection or drainage should be planned in advance, with appropriate professional assistance where necessary.
Check the new home as carefully as the old one
It is not enough to measure the route out of your current property. The furniture also needs to fit into the new one.
A wardrobe might leave your old house without a problem but encounter a narrow entrance, staircase or landing at the other end.
If you are moving into a flat, check communal hallways, entrances and the dimensions of any lift that may be used. Some buildings also have access arrangements or restrictions that need to be considered before moving day.
Measuring both properties gives you more time to decide whether furniture needs to be dismantled or whether an alternative route is required.
Work out what can be dismantled
Some large pieces of furniture become considerably easier to move once certain components have been removed.
Depending on the design, this might include sofa legs, table legs, wardrobe doors, shelves, handles or other detachable parts. Check the manufacturer’s instructions where available and keep screws, bolts and fittings together in clearly labelled bags.
It can also help to photograph furniture before dismantling it, particularly if there are multiple components or complicated fittings.
Avoid dismantling anything that could compromise its structural stability unless you are confident it can be safely reassembled. If you are unsure, ask the removal team whether dismantling is appropriate.
Take photographs of awkward access points
Measurements are useful, but photographs can make potential problems much easier to communicate.
Take pictures of narrow doorways, tight staircases, awkward corners, low ceilings and any particularly large pieces of furniture. If something looks difficult to move, send the relevant images to the removal company before moving day.
“Photos can be really helpful when there’s an awkward entrance or a tight staircase,” says Bennett. “It means the team can get a better idea of what they’re dealing with before arriving, rather than discovering the problem when the van is already outside.”
Providing this information in advance also gives the removal team an opportunity to consider whether additional equipment, staff or preparation may be required.
Tell the removal team about potential problems
If you have a large sofa, heavy appliance or particularly narrow access route, do not wait until the morning of the move to mention it.
The removal company may need to bring additional equipment, arrange extra staff or advise on dismantling. In some circumstances, specialist lifting equipment or alternative access arrangements may need to be considered.
Being upfront about potential obstacles can also reduce the temptation to force an item through a space that is simply too small, potentially causing damage to the furniture, walls or property.
Your pre-move access checklist
Before moving day, check:
- The maximum dimensions of your largest furniture
- The height and width of the front door
- Internal doorways and hallway widths
- Tight corners and narrow landings
- Staircase width and turning space
- Low ceilings, bannisters and radiators
- Lift dimensions, if applicable
- Communal entrances and corridors
- The route into each room at the new property
- Whether furniture needs to be dismantled
- Whether appliances require preparation or disconnection
- Any potential access problems the removal company needs to know about
A tape measure may seem like a minor part of moving preparation, but checking access routes in advance can give you valuable time to deal with potential problems.
If an item will not fit, discovering that before moving day means you can consider dismantling it, changing the route, arranging appropriate equipment or deciding whether it needs to be replaced. As Bennett puts it: “It’s much easier to solve an access problem a few days before the move than when your furniture is sitting outside and everyone is waiting.”
