Moving furniture in high-rise towers and upper floors in Jeddah: planning beats muscle
In a residential tower the success of a move is not measured by the number of workers but by the quality of the plan. A piece that takes two minutes to carry out of a ground-floor home can take far longer when it must wait for a lift shared with dozens of residents, pass a security gate, and sit on a truck parked in a bay with limited headroom. This page is for anyone moving into or out of a tower or a tall apartment block in Jeddah, and it explains how we think about lifts, corridors, parking and entry permissions, and how you can prepare your home so furniture leaves with the least time and the least damage to the building.
At Al Forsan Al Thalatha we move within Jeddah and to and from the city, and we prefer practical rules to general promises. Every building has its own regulations, and building management is the authority on what is allowed. For our wider services see furniture moving in Jeddah, and for apartments in general see apartment moving in Jeddah.
What makes tower moves different from ordinary apartment moves
Five differences shape the plan for the day:
- The lift is shared and has limits: there are only so many lifts, and the inside dimensions and load capacity decide what travels upright and what must be dismantled.
- Entry systems: many towers require the names or ID of workers at the gate and may fix the hours when moving is allowed.
- Parking: the loading entrance may be separate, and the basement may have less headroom than the truck, forcing it to stop outside.
- Vertical distance: every extra floor means a longer lift trip, so total time grows with height.
- Protecting the building: marble floors and decorated lifts need covering, and management takes scratches seriously.
Step one: ask building management before you book
Before or just after calling us, make a short call to the tower's management, the guard or the building manager and ask the following; then tell us the answers:
- Is there a service lift for furniture, or do we use the main lift?
- What hours are allowed for moving, and does the lift need to be booked?
- Are workers registered at the gate, and what is needed from us?
- Where does the truck stop, and what is the maximum height of the entrance or basement?
- Are residents expected to cover floors or the lift, or does management do it?
- Does the building impose fees or deposits? (These are building rules and not part of our charges.)
These answers shape the whole schedule, and ignoring them is the most common reason tower moves are delayed.
The lift: how to measure and what to do with what does not fit
The lift is the main route for furniture, so you need its dimensions. Measure the door width and height and the depth and width of the car, and ask for the maximum load. Then measure the large pieces: wardrobes, sofas, fridge, dining table, mattress. A simple rule works: if a piece fits upright it travels upright; if not, it may fit tilted; if it still does not, it must be dismantled. For pieces that cannot be dismantled and do not fit, the options are limited: the emergency stairs if they are safe and the floors are few, or external lifting with a winch if the facade and management allow it, and only after studying the site. Read about winch moving in Jeddah.
Booking the lift and splitting the load
The lift does not belong to you alone. We therefore divide the load into batches: one for light boxes and cartons, one for large dismantled furniture, and one for appliances. We take the heaviest and largest pieces during the booked lift slot and bring down the boxes when the lift is less busy. If the tower has a service lift we ask for it to be reserved for us during loading so the crew is not left waiting. The taller the building, the more waiting affects total time, so we stage pieces in the corridor before the lift arrives.
Parking and truck height
In some towers the loading entrance is at the back or in a basement with limited height. Tell us beforehand what kind of truck suits: a large truck, a smaller Dyna, or several trucks for a big home; you can read about our Dyna trucks in Jeddah. If the bay cannot take the large truck we may use a smaller vehicle over more trips, or load from the adjoining street and agree the shortest route between lift and truck with management.
Covering and protecting the building
Protecting floors and the lift is a core part of our work. We cover the corridor floors leading to the lift, fix protective material on the walls of the lift car if management asks, and avoid dragging furniture over marble. We also take care not to leave water, dust or packing waste in corridors. This respect for the building saves you disputes with management and neighbours and makes it easier to book a slot next time.
Table: what suits each tower situation
| Situation | Challenge | Usual solution |
|---|---|---|
| Tower with a service lift | Lift time congestion | Book a slot and split the load into batches |
| Tower with one shared lift | Long waiting | Move at a quieter time and stage pieces in the corridor |
| Long piece that will not enter the lift | A measuring problem | Dismantle it or arrange outside lifting after review |
| Low basement | Truck cannot enter | Smaller vehicle or loading from another point |
| Tall block with no lift | Stairs only | Dismantle furniture and carry in an organised way with enough crew and rest breaks |
Dismantling and reassembly: a golden rule on upper floors
The higher the floor, the smaller the margin for error, so we advise dismantling every piece that can be dismantled instead of risking it whole: wardrobes with big doors, bed headboards, bookcases, glass dining tables. Labelled screws and small parts in numbered bags save you hours at reassembly. More detail is on our pages on furniture dismantling and assembly and bedroom dismantling and installation.
Appliances, glass and mirrors in towers
Towers with glass facades and modern furniture often contain big screens, glass surfaces and mirrors. These need special wrapping and travel upright with as few movements as possible. See our pages on moving TVs and screens and our guide to moving home appliances and electronics safely. If you have a large American-style fridge, confirm before moving day that the lift can take it.
Wind and heat when outside lifting is needed
If we must lift a piece from the facade, weather decides. Strong wind makes a hanging piece swing, so we do not work in unsafe conditions and may postpone to a calmer time. Midday heat also exhausts the crew, so we prefer early morning or late afternoon. Outside lifting needs management approval and a safe zone on the ground away from passers-by and cars, marked with barriers or people warning others. We only lift from outside after measuring the distance and identifying safe points.
Moving day in a tower: the sequence
- The crew arrives just before the appointment and registers names at the gate if required.
- We contact whoever controls the lift and confirm the slot.
- Corridor floors and the lift are covered.
- Agreed furniture is dismantled and small parts are bagged and numbered.
- Pieces are staged in the corridor, largest first.
- Loading in the lift in batches, with one person receiving downstairs and another guiding the truck.
- Loads are secured in the truck and we leave.
- Unloading at the new tower follows the same sequence, then assembly and a final check.
Who does what on moving day
Success in large buildings depends on clear roles between you, the crew and management. You inform management, book the lift, open the flat, keep corridors clear and decide what moves. We handle dismantling, covering, carrying, loading, unloading and assembly. Management allows entry, opens gates, runs the lift and sets the permitted routes. When these roles are written in a short WhatsApp message before the appointment, disputes shrink and everyone moves quickly.
Your preparation before the appointment
Keep corridors clear of scattered boxes, gather each room's belongings in one place, disconnect appliances, empty the fridge and freezer a full day ahead, and leave the flat as clear as possible. Carry valuables yourself. Save the building manager's name and number in your phone so you can call if something goes wrong. See packing and wrapping to learn how to pack your own belongings.
One-week checklist
- Confirm the building manager's name and number.
- Book the lift and note any booking number.
- Measure the lift door, the car and the largest pieces.
- Establish where the truck stops and the height of the entrance.
- Prepare any papers the gate asks for.
- Arrange and number cartons.
- Agree dismantling and reassembly timing and who will receive the new flat.
- Send us the photos and measurements.
Common mistakes in tower moves
- Not booking the lift: the crew waits and the duration multiplies.
- Not knowing the bay height: the truck arrives and cannot enter.
- Leaving worker registration to the last moment: procedures at the gate can drag on.
- Not measuring the lift: the problem is found during loading.
- Moving everything in one go: it blocks corridors and damages floors.
- Not protecting the lift: it can cause a dispute with management.
What affects the price in towers
Cost depends on the number of floors, whether a service lift exists, the walking distance between truck and lift, the type and number of trucks, dismantling and reassembly, the amount of packing, any pieces needing special lifting, and the hours set by the building. Some towers impose fees or conditions on moving that are separate from our charge. We do not publish general figures; the factors are explained on our page about furniture moving prices in Jeddah, and we give an estimate once we know the details.
From a tower to a villa or between two towers
Some customers move from a tower to a villa or the other way round. The method changes: loading from a tower uses the lift and then the truck, while unloading at a villa uses the stairs or ground-floor entrance, so covering priorities and crew numbers differ. Read about villa moving in Jeddah for details.
Temporary storage while you wait for the keys
In new towers the handover of a unit may be delayed or finishing works may take time. If your date falls between two moves, furniture can be wrapped and stored until the unit is handed over. See furniture storage in Jeddah.
Summary
Moving furniture in towers and upper floors in Jeddah needs coordination with building management, lift booking, measuring doors, covering floors and splitting the load into batches. If you prepare these points, moving day passes calmly. Call or WhatsApp us with the tower's address, floor, lift dimensions and photos of large pieces, and we will build a realistic plan with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tower Moves
Do you move furniture from towers and upper floors?
Yes. We move from and to towers and tall buildings inside Jeddah, and we plan for the lift, parking and entry procedures before the appointment.
Do I need to book the lift in advance?
In many towers yes, so ask building management about lift hours and booking before you fix the date.
What if a large piece does not fit in the lift?
We try dismantling or rotating it, and if that is not possible, lifting from the facade with a winch may be an option after studying the site and with management approval.
Do you protect the lift and floors?
Yes. We cover corridor floors and the lift as management requires and avoid dragging pieces over floors.
What if the basement is lower than your truck?
We use a smaller vehicle or load from another point agreed with management, so tell us the entrance height before the appointment.
Does building management charge for moving?
Some buildings have fees or conditions. These are separate from our charge, so ask management in advance.
How can I get a price estimate?
We need the floor, the lift, the amount of furniture, the distance and the services you want. Send photos and details on WhatsApp for a suitable estimate.