London Flat Move Difficulty Index | How Hard Is Your Move?

The London Flat Move Difficulty Index: How Difficult Is Your Flat to Move?

Written by the team at OIS Removals, drawing on decades of practical experience moving flats and apartments across London.

Two flats can have the same number of bedrooms, contain roughly the same amount of furniture and be less than a mile apart – yet one can be considerably more difficult to move than the other.

Why?

Because when you are moving flat in London, the size of the property is only part of the story.

A one-bedroom flat on the fourth floor with no lift, restricted parking and a narrow communal staircase can require considerably more planning than a larger property with ground-floor access and a removal vehicle parked directly outside.

Then there are service lifts, concierge restrictions, loading bays, long corridors, basement car parks, awkward sofas, parking suspensions and those staircases that somehow seemed much wider when the furniture was first delivered.

After handling flat and apartment moves throughout London for many years, the OIS Removals team has developed a simple way of looking at the problem.

We call it the OIS London Flat Move Difficulty Index.

It isn’t a quotation calculator and it isn’t intended to tell you exactly how long your removal will take. Instead, it helps identify the practical factors that can make a flat move straightforward, moderately challenging or genuinely complex.

If you are preparing to move, use the index below before requesting your quotation. It may highlight issues you hadn’t considered – and many of them can be dealt with before moving day.

If you already know that your property presents difficult access, OIS provides specialist flat removals in London for properties ranging from small converted flats to larger managed apartment developments.

Contents

• What makes a London flat difficult to move?
• The OIS London Flat Move Difficulty Index
• 1. Floor level
• 2. Lift access
• 3. Removal vehicle parking
• 4. Carrying distance
• 5. Doorways, corridors and staircases
• 6. Building management restrictions
• 7. Large and awkward furniture
• 8. Volume of belongings
• 9. Packing readiness
• 10. Access at your new property
• What does your Flat Move Difficulty Score mean?
• Example London flat moves
• How to make a difficult flat move easier
• When should you arrange a removals survey?
• London flat moving FAQs

What Makes a London Flat Difficult to Move?

The biggest difficulty with flat removals is rarely simply the number of boxes.

It is the journey those boxes – and every sofa, wardrobe, bed and table – must make between your front door and the removal vehicle.

Professional movers therefore look at considerably more than the number of bedrooms.

Important factors include:

• Which floor the property is on
• Whether there is a suitable working lift
• Where the removal vehicle can legally park
• The distance between the vehicle and building entrance
• Widths of corridors, doors and staircases
• Tight turns and landings
• Concierge or building-management requirements
• How much furniture needs dismantling
• The overall volume being moved
• Whether everything is properly packed and ready
• Access at the destination

A flat does not need to have problems in every category to become challenging. Sometimes just two or three factors combine to change the entire moving plan.

For example, a third-floor flat without a lift is perfectly manageable. Add a 50-metre carrying distance to the removal vehicle, a narrow staircase and several pieces of furniture that need dismantling, however, and the resources required can look very different.

Our previous guide to the reality of flat moving in South West London explores many of these problems from the mover’s perspective. The Difficulty Index takes that idea one step further by helping you assess your own move.

The OIS London Flat Move Difficulty Index

There are ten factors.

Give yourself 0, 1 or 2 points for each category.

At the end, add the points together to produce a score out of 20.

Important: this score is a planning guide. It is not a removal quotation, a guaranteed moving time or an indication that a particular property cannot be moved.

A professional removals survey should still be used when assessing the crew, vehicle, equipment and services required for your particular move.

1. Which Floor Are You Moving From?

Score 0 – Ground floor or straightforward first-floor access

The flat is at ground level, or there is simple first-floor access with a wide, manageable staircase.

Score 1 – Upper floor with reasonable access

The property is on the second or third floor and items need to be carried using stairs, but the staircase is reasonably wide and straightforward.

Score 2 – Multiple floors or difficult stair access

The flat is several floors above ground level without an appropriate lift, or the staircase itself makes carrying large or heavy items difficult.

Floor level matters because virtually everything in the property must follow the same route.

Carrying one box down several flights of stairs isn’t particularly significant. Carrying an entire flat’s contents down those stairs is another matter.

It also places more importance on organisation. Furniture needs to be moved in the correct sequence, stairways must stay clear and items should not be repeatedly moved because something has been loaded in the wrong order.

2. Is There a Suitable Lift?

Score 0 – Large, usable lift or service lift

The building has a reliable lift capable of accommodating furniture, removal equipment and members of the moving crew.

Score 1 – Lift available, but with limitations

There is a small passenger lift, restrictions on its use, limited dimensions or a requirement to share it with other residents.

Score 2 – No usable lift

There is no lift, it cannot be used for removals, or it is too small for most of the larger items.

The words “there’s a lift” can give a slightly false sense of security.

The important question is: can the lift actually be used for the move?

Check:

• Door width
• Internal height
• Internal depth
• Maximum load
• Whether furniture is permitted
• Whether it needs to be booked
• Whether protective coverings are required
• What happens if the lift is unavailable on moving day

If possible, measure the lift before your survey rather than simply confirming that one exists.

3. How Good Is the Removal Vehicle Parking?

Score 0 – Vehicle can park immediately outside

Suitable loading space is available directly beside, or very close to, the entrance.

Score 1 – Parking requires planning

A suspension, permit, loading arrangement or other preparation is required, but suitable space should be available.

Score 2 – Difficult or uncertain parking

The road has heavy restrictions, a red route, limited loading opportunities or no realistic space for a removal vehicle close to the property.

This is one of the most underestimated parts of moving flat in London.

If the vehicle cannot get close to the building, every item has to travel further before it even reaches the van.

A few extra metres may not sound significant, but multiply the journey by dozens of boxes, pieces of furniture, appliances and other belongings and it can have a major impact on the working day.

London parking arrangements are also location-specific. A solution that works outside one property might not be permitted on another street.

Our guide to parking in London for removals explains parking suspensions, dispensations and some of the issues customers should consider before moving day.

If your property is on or close to a red route, check the relevant Transport for London restrictions as part of your planning. Rules should always be confirmed for the exact road and moving date.

4. How Far Is the Carry From the Building to the Vehicle?

Score 0 – Short carry

The removal vehicle can stop very close to the entrance and there are no substantial pathways, courtyards or internal routes.

Score 1 – Moderate carry

Items need to travel along a pathway, through reception, across a courtyard or some distance along the pavement.

Score 2 – Long or complicated carry

The vehicle may have to park a considerable distance from the flat entrance, or belongings must travel through extensive communal areas before reaching it.

This category is easily overlooked in modern developments.

The flat itself may have excellent lift access, yet the lift opens into a lobby, which connects to another corridor, which leads to reception, which finally leads to a loading area some distance away.

On paper, it is “a flat with a lift”.

In reality, the moving route can be substantial.

This is why photographs, videos or an in-person survey of the complete access route are so helpful when planning an apartment removal.

5. How Difficult Are the Doorways, Corridors and Stairs?

Score 0 – Wide, straightforward access

Furniture can move easily through the front door, corridors, staircases and building entrance.

Score 1 – One or two awkward areas

There are some narrow doors, tight corners or smaller landings, but most belongings should pass with sensible planning.

Score 2 – Restricted or technically difficult access

There are narrow staircases, multiple sharp turns, difficult landings or other restrictions likely to affect larger furniture.

Older London properties can be particularly deceptive.

Converted houses, mansion blocks and period properties often have characterful staircases that were never designed around modern corner sofas, king-size beds and large wardrobes.

The important question isn’t simply whether an item will fit through the front door.

It has to negotiate the entire route.

When measuring access, consider:

• Flat entrance door
• Communal front door
• Internal hallways
• Staircase width
• Height above staircases
• Landings
• 90-degree and 180-degree turns
• Lift doors
• Entrance gates
• External steps

6. Does the Building Have Moving Restrictions?

Score 0 – No significant restrictions

You can access the property normally without special arrangements.

Score 1 – Some advance arrangements required

You need to inform the concierge, reserve a lift or book a loading area.

Score 2 – Strict building controls

The building imposes limited moving times, strict lift reservations, security requirements, loading restrictions or other conditions that affect the removal schedule.

Modern apartment developments create a very different kind of challenge from older conversions.

The physical access may be excellent. The administrative access may not be.

Before moving day, ask your managing agent, landlord or concierge:

• Does the move need to be booked?
• Are removals permitted at weekends?
• What hours can movers work?
• Does the service lift need reserving?
• Are lift protectors supplied?
• Does the removal company need to provide insurance details?
• Is there a designated loading bay?
• Is there a maximum vehicle height for basement access?
• Does security need the crew’s details in advance?
• Must communal floors or walls be protected?

If you are moving into or out of a larger managed development, our guide to London apartment removals covers some of these considerations in more detail.

7. Do You Have Large or Awkward Furniture?

Score 0 – Mostly straightforward furniture

Most items can be moved through the existing access without substantial dismantling.

Score 1 – Some dismantling required

Beds, tables, shelving, wardrobes or sofas will need partially dismantling before removal.

Score 2 – Several large, heavy or difficult items

The move includes particularly bulky furniture, delicate items or pieces that require careful route planning.

The sofa is frequently the item that exposes an access problem.

It may have entered the property before a doorway was changed. It may have arrived in separate sections. The feet may have been added afterwards. Or you may simply have forgotten how difficult it was to get inside.

Before moving day, check whether large items:

• Separate into sections
• Have removable feet or arms
• Can be dismantled without damage
• Will fit inside the lift
• Can turn on the staircase
• Need specialist protection

Our guide to moving bulky furniture safely explains why measuring and dismantling decisions should be made before lifting begins.

8. How Much Are You Actually Moving?

Score 0 – Lightly furnished move

A studio or smaller flat with relatively few boxes and limited furniture.

Score 1 – Typical furnished flat

A normal one or two-bedroom household with furniture, kitchen contents, clothes and everyday possessions.

Score 2 – High-volume flat move

A heavily furnished property, substantial number of cartons, extensive storage areas or the contents of a larger household.

Bedroom count helps describe a property. It does not accurately describe everything inside it.

Two seemingly identical two-bedroom flats can contain dramatically different volumes.

One may be occupied by a person who moved in six months ago with relatively little furniture.

Another may have been a family home for 15 years and contain packed wardrobes, bookshelves, cupboards, balcony furniture, sports equipment, children’s belongings and boxes stored under every bed.

Do not forget:

• Balconies
• Storage cupboards
• Cellars
• Lock-up stores
• Garages
• Loft areas
• Bicycle stores
• Outdoor furniture

A good removals survey should assess the actual volume rather than relying only on the property description.

9. How Ready Will You Be When the Movers Arrive?

Score 0 – Completely ready

Everything that should be boxed is packed, cartons are secure and labelled, loose items are dealt with and any agreed dismantling has been completed.

Score 1 – Mostly ready

The majority is packed but there are likely to be some final items requiring attention.

Score 2 – Significant packing still required

Many belongings remain loose, boxes are incomplete or the moving crew will be unable to begin loading efficiently.

Access problems are difficult enough without adding unfinished packing.

A professional crew can work far more efficiently when cartons are sealed, correctly labelled and ready to move.

Loose belongings also create problems in communal areas because they require more individual journeys between the flat and vehicle.

If time is the main problem, consider arranging a professional packing service in London before moving day rather than trying to finish everything late the night before.

10. What Is Access Like at the New Property?

Score 0 – Straightforward destination

The new property has easy access, convenient parking and no significant restrictions.

Score 1 – Some destination challenges

There are stairs, lift arrangements, parking considerations or other manageable access issues.

Score 2 – Difficult access at both ends

The destination introduces substantial access restrictions on top of the difficulties at the property you are leaving.

This final category is particularly important.

People naturally focus on getting out of their present flat.

But the removal isn’t finished when the vehicle leaves.

Everything then has to come back out.

If you are moving from a fourth-floor flat without a lift into another upper-floor property with restricted parking, both sides of the move need to be included in the planning.

Before requesting your quote, give the removal company as much information about the destination as the collection address.

What Does Your London Flat Move Difficulty Score Mean?

Add your ten scores together.

0–5 Points: Straightforward Flat Move

Your move appears to have relatively simple access.

You may have good parking, lower-floor access, manageable furniture and few building restrictions.

Do not become complacent, though. Parking and access should still be confirmed before moving day, particularly if circumstances can change.

6–10 Points: Moderate Flat Move

This is where some planning starts to make a noticeable difference.

You may have an upper-floor flat, a smaller lift, some furniture requiring dismantling or parking that needs organising.

Individual issues are unlikely to be unusual, but they need to be considered together when deciding how the move will operate.

11–15 Points: Complex Flat Move

Several parts of the removal could affect time, staffing or how belongings are handled.

We would strongly recommend providing comprehensive access details and arranging an appropriate removals survey.

Do not leave parking, lift reservations or furniture decisions until moving day.

16–20 Points: High-Complexity Flat Move

This does not mean the move cannot be completed.

It means preparation becomes particularly important.

You may be dealing with difficult stairs, limited vehicle access, strict building-management rules, significant volumes or challenging access at both properties.

A professional assessment can identify how to tackle each issue before moving day rather than discovering problems while the crew is already on site.

Three Example London Flat Moves

The easiest way to understand the index is to see how different factors combine.

Example 1: One-Bedroom First-Floor Conversion

Imagine a lightly furnished one-bedroom flat on the first floor of a converted house.

• Floor: 0
• Lift: 0 – not required
• Parking: 1
• Carry: 0
• Internal access: 1
• Building restrictions: 0
• Furniture: 1
• Volume: 0
• Packing: 0
• Destination: 1

Total: 4 points.

There are still details to organise, but it looks like a comparatively straightforward flat move.

Example 2: Two-Bedroom Modern Apartment

Now consider a fourth-floor apartment within a managed development.

There is a lift, but it must be reserved. The removal vehicle uses a designated loading area and the route from the lift to the vehicle crosses reception and a courtyard.

• Floor: 1
• Lift: 1
• Parking: 1
• Carry: 2
• Internal access: 0
• Building restrictions: 2
• Furniture: 1
• Volume: 1
• Packing: 0
• Destination: 1

Total: 10 points.

The property itself may be modern and easy to navigate, yet the building’s moving procedures and longer carrying route create additional complexity.

Example 3: Third-Floor Mansion Block With No Lift

Finally, imagine a well-furnished three-bedroom flat in an older London mansion block.

There is no lift. The staircase contains several tight turns. Parking is limited and some large furniture needs dismantling. The new property is another upper-floor flat.

• Floor: 2
• Lift: 2
• Parking: 2
• Carry: 1
• Internal access: 2
• Building restrictions: 1
• Furniture: 2
• Volume: 2
• Packing: 0
• Destination: 2

Total: 16 points.

That’s a very different proposition from the first example, despite all three technically being described as “flat removals”.

How Can You Make a Difficult Flat Move Easier?

The most useful part of the Difficulty Index isn’t finding out that your move is difficult.

It’s identifying which problems can be improved.

Arrange the parking early

If a suspension, dispensation or other arrangement is likely to be required, investigate it well before moving day.

Getting the vehicle closer to the entrance can make a meaningful difference to the practical operation of the move.

Reserve the lift

If the building operates a booking system, reserve the appropriate moving period and confirm exactly what happens if your move runs beyond the allocated time.

Measure large furniture

Measure the furniture and the route rather than relying on eyesight.

A few minutes with a tape measure can reveal whether a sofa needs separating or a wardrobe needs dismantling before moving day.

Tell the removals company about the difficult bits

There is no advantage in making the job sound easier when requesting a quote.

Tell the surveyor about:

• Stairs
• Broken or small lifts
• Long corridors
• Restricted roads
• Basement loading bays
• Large furniture
• Storage cupboards
• Building time limits

The better the information, the better the moving plan can be.

Send photographs or video

When something is difficult to explain, show it.

A photograph of the staircase or video showing the route from the flat to the street can often reveal far more than describing it as “slightly narrow”.

Finish packing before moving day

Unless you have booked professional packing, have cartons finished, sealed and labelled before the removal crew arrives.

Use the OIS free moving checklist to organise the wider preparation surrounding your move.

Declutter before you move

Every item you decide not to take is one less item that needs packing, carrying, loading, transporting and unloading.

If you haven’t used something for years and do not expect to use it in your new home, moving day may not be the best time to relocate it simply because you already own it.

Why a Small Flat Is Not Always a Small Removal

This is perhaps the biggest lesson from the index.

Property size and removal complexity are not the same thing.

A small London flat can involve:

• Four flights of stairs
• No parking outside
• A 70-metre carrying distance
• A narrow communal entrance
• A sofa requiring dismantling
• A restricted moving window

A larger flat could have a service lift and dedicated loading bay and be much easier to move.

This is why an experienced removals company asks questions about access rather than simply asking how many bedrooms you have.

When Should a London Flat Move Be Surveyed?

Not every small move needs an extensive on-site assessment.

But the higher your Difficulty Index score, the more valuable a proper survey becomes.

A survey is particularly useful when:

• Your score is above 10
• You have no lift above the second floor
• You are unsure whether furniture will fit
• The vehicle cannot park close to the building
• You have several large or valuable items
• Your apartment building imposes moving restrictions
• You require packing as well as removals
• You are moving from one difficult-access flat to another
• You are unsure how much you have to move

The purpose of a survey is not simply to put a price against your move.

It allows the removals company to understand what has to happen.

That could include deciding how many movers are appropriate, assessing access, identifying furniture that needs dismantling, considering parking and calculating the volume being transported.

Moving Flat in London? Plan the Access Before the Boxes

London flat removals are rarely difficult because of one dramatic problem.

More often, complexity comes from several small issues happening together.

A few flights of stairs.

A small lift.

A long corridor.

A loading bay around the corner.

A large sofa.

A concierge insisting that the service lift is available only between 10am and 1pm.

None is necessarily a major problem in isolation.

Together, they determine how the move needs to be planned.

That’s why the best time to identify access problems is before the removal vehicle arrives.

OIS Removals specialises in moving flats and apartments across London, including moves involving stairs, lifts, difficult furniture, controlled parking, managed developments, packing and storage.

Tell us what you’re moving, where you’re moving from and where you’re going. More importantly, tell us about the access.

We’ll help work out the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Flat in London

Are flat removals more difficult than house removals?

Not necessarily. The size of the property alone does not determine the difficulty of a removal. Flats can introduce additional considerations such as shared entrances, multiple floors, lifts, limited parking, long internal corridors and building-management rules. A house can contain considerably more belongings but sometimes provide much simpler vehicle and front-door access.

How do I know whether my sofa will fit down the stairs?

Measure the sofa and the complete exit route, including door widths, staircase width, ceiling clearance, landings and sharp turns. Check whether feet, arms or individual sections can be removed. If you remain unsure, show the removals company photographs or include the sofa during your survey.

Can removal companies use passenger lifts?

It depends on the building and the lift. Some buildings allow removals through passenger lifts, others provide service lifts, and some impose restrictions. Check with the concierge, managing agent or landlord before moving day and confirm whether advance booking or protective coverings are required.

Do I need to arrange parking for a London flat removal?

Possibly. Requirements depend on the road and local restrictions. Parking bays may need suspending and other locations can require specific permission or loading arrangements. Do not assume that a removal van can simply park outside because other vehicles occasionally do so.

Does being on the third or fourth floor make a removal much more expensive?

Floor level is only one consideration. The effect depends on whether there is a suitable lift, the amount being moved, staircase access, parking, carrying distance and the destination property. The best way to understand the likely cost is to provide accurate access information and obtain a proper quotation rather than relying on the floor number alone.

Should I dismantle my furniture before the movers arrive?

If dismantling is your responsibility under the agreed service, it should normally be completed before loading begins. If you want the removals team to dismantle particular items, discuss this when obtaining your quotation so the necessary time and resources can be included.

What happens if the lift breaks down on moving day?

Tell your removals company immediately. Whether the move can continue as planned will depend on the floor level, volume, staircase access, items being moved and resources available. For higher-floor apartments, it is worth asking building management about lift reliability and contingency arrangements in advance.

Is a one-bedroom flat always a small move?

No. A one-bedroom flat can be lightly furnished or contain a substantial volume of belongings. Access can also make a relatively small volume time-consuming to move. This is why the number of bedrooms should be considered alongside inventory, parking, floor level, lift access and carrying distance.

What information should I give a removals company about my flat?

Tell them the floor level, lift situation, staircase access, parking arrangements, approximate distance from the entrance to the road, any building-management restrictions, large furniture requiring dismantling and details of storage areas or belongings outside the main flat. Provide the same information for your destination.

What is a good OIS Flat Move Difficulty Score?

A low score simply indicates fewer obvious access complications. A higher score does not mean there is anything wrong with your move; it means more preparation may be required. The index is designed to help identify those issues early so they can be incorporated into the moving plan.