Why a rest house is not an apartment
When we move an apartment we roughly know what waits for us: a door, a corridor, a lift or a staircase. At a rest house, chalet or farm the questions are different. What is the road like? Is the gate wide enough for the truck? Is the ground sand or paved? Does a caretaker hold the key? Is there electricity to test appliances when we unload? How far is the nearest town if something is missing? These answers decide time, cost and method more than the number of items does.
Al-Forsan moves furniture from and to rest houses, chalets, farms and permanent camps in and around Jeddah. If what you are moving is the garden furniture of your own home, read garden and outdoor furniture moving. If it is a majlis, see majlis and floor seating moving.
What a rest house or chalet usually holds
- Outdoor seating: tables and chairs in plastic, wood, iron or rattan.
- Floor majlis sets, cushions and mats: bulky but fairly light.
- Grills and outdoor ovens: heavy, and they must be cleaned and cooled before moving.
- Awnings, tents and Bedouin-style sheds: to be dismantled with numbered parts.
- Fridges, kitchen appliances and water coolers: they must be emptied.
- Screens and sound systems: sensitive to dust and humidity.
- Children's toys and sports equipment: see moving with kids and gym equipment moving.
- Rugs, bedding and covers: they carry sand and dust and need shaking out before loading.
Access questions before we promise a date
We normally ask four things before fixing a date and a price. First, the exact location, ideally a map pin and a known landmark. Second, the last stretch of road: is it paved, are there speed bumps or soft sand that could trap a truck? Third, the gate: width, height and whether wires or branches get in the way. Fourth, coordination: who holds the key and will they be there? If you are unsure, send a photo of the gate and the final road.
Dust, sand and salt air
Open sites get more dust and sand than apartments, and near the sea there is also salt and humidity that rust metal. So we shake out seating and covers before loading, wrap electrical appliances in protective covers, and keep metal and fabric apart so one does not dirty the other. If iron furniture is already rusty we warn you that moving may flake it more and suggest treating it first if you care about it.
Grills and outdoor ovens: after use, not right after
We never load a hot grill or one with live charcoal or warm ash. Please put the fire out hours before the appointment, empty the ash, scrape grease off the grate and let the grill cool completely. Gas cylinders carry safety rules of their own, so we do not carry them without prior agreement; disconnect them and deal with them yourself or through a specialist.
Tents, shades and sheds
Parts come apart only when completely dry, because a damp tent goes mouldy and smells. Poles and pegs are numbered and the assembly is photographed. Fabric is rolled and tied, never stacked under heavy items. For large shades set in concrete bases, moving may not be practical, so check that the piece can be taken down at all before you agree anything.
Appliances in remote places
Fridges, freezers and water coolers must be emptied and left open before the move so water dries. After arrival, do not switch them on straight away; let them settle. If power is not ready at the new site we warn you, because appliances may sit unpowered for hours. For general advice see moving electronics and appliances.
Seasonal moves: before and after summer
Many owners move their furniture seasonally, bringing it before the season and returning it to storage after. If that is you, find a clean dry storage place; see furniture storage in Jeddah. Choose dates before the peak holiday periods when demand is high and good slots go quickly.
Rented chalets: handover and return
If you run a chalet that is let to guests, you may need to shift furniture between units or into storage between seasons. Make a photographed inventory of each unit before and after the move so you can see damage and shortages. If you rent, agree with the owner what leaves and what stays as fixed fittings.
Safety and working in heat
Working outdoors under the Jeddah sun tires the crew and affects equipment. We prefer to start early and pause at the hottest hours if possible, provide water for the team and move heat-sensitive items at a better time. If the rest house is far out we try to be back before dark for road safety.
Common mistakes
- Not sending the location and gate photo: the truck arrives and cannot enter.
- Moving a hot grill: a real danger.
- Loading damp covers: mould and smell.
- Forgetting who holds the key: delays and waiting.
- Ignoring rust: a piece crumbles on first lifting.
- No prepared drop-off spot: furniture is left on sandy ground and gets dirty.
Price factors
We do not publish fixed prices; every site is its own case. Cost depends on distance and road difficulty, the number and size of pieces, dismantling of tents and shades, stairs or lifts in a chalet, and time and season. Send the location, photos of furniture and the gate and we will estimate. More on how pricing works is on furniture moving prices.
How to start
Message us on WhatsApp with the rest house or chalet location pinned on a map, photos of the last road and the gate, a list of what is moving with photos of the large pieces, who holds the key and your preferred date. We reply with what we need and a short plan.
Loading in an open site
An open site has no room we can close on what we load, so we set up one gathering point where pieces are placed before lifting and cover them against dust and sand. Heavy and metal pieces go first, fabric after, and tents and shades are loaded away from sharp tools. At the new site we decide beforehand where each group goes so heavy pieces are not moved twice. On sandy ground we put boards or sheets under pieces so they do not sink.
Things not worth moving
Some things in a rest house are not worth the cost of moving: brittle plastic chairs cracked by the sun, worn mats and old appliances that no longer run well. Tell us what you want to dispose of; lightening the load cuts cost, and we can suggest what to sell or donate. Buying new seating at the new place may cost less than moving tired old pieces.
A typical day from morning to evening
The usual day starts early, before the heat. The crew checks the road, the gate and the truck position and confirms the key-holder is present. In the first hour light items, mats and rugs are shaken out and wrapped; in the second hour tents, shades and fitted seating come apart. Then heavy items such as grills, fridges and large tables are loaded and strapped, with fabric items on top. Before leaving we walk the site once more so nothing is left behind a shade or in a store, and give you a list of what was moved. At the new site we fix the seating and shade positions first, then unload to the plan.
Electricity, water and services on site
Remote rest houses may lack stable power or enough water, and we sometimes need a little electricity for tools or to test appliances after installation. Tell us if the site has no power now. If the property runs on a generator, do not power sensitive devices on unstable supply; it can harm them. Ask about water too if you are moving coolers and desert coolers that need it.
Security and valuables
Rest houses are often left shut for long periods and may hold valuable tools and devices. Before moving, take small valuables with you, photograph large pieces and coordinate with the key-holder so entry and exit are controlled. If you cannot attend, give us the name and number of your representative so we can call them and no decision is left hanging.
Gated resorts and compounds
Some chalets are inside gated resorts or compounds with guards and entry rules, and management may ask for worker names, truck details or advance permission. Contact management before the date and tell us their instructions so we can supply what is needed and not be stopped at the gate. We do not begin work inside a resort before management has confirmed the appointment, because refusal at the last minute wastes a whole day.
Frequently asked questions about rest house and chalet moves
Do you move to and from rest houses and farms outside the city?
Yes, in and around Jeddah. We need the exact location and photos of the road and gate to decide time and cost.
Can you take down tents and shades?
Yes, if they can be dismantled. We number parts and roll fabric once it is dry.
Do you move grills and gas cylinders?
Grills yes, once cooled and cleaned. Gas cylinders carry safety rules and we do not carry them without prior agreement.
Do dust and salt harm furniture in transit?
They can, so we shake out pieces, wrap appliances and keep metal and fabric apart.
Can you do seasonal moves for storage?
Yes, and we help you arrange it with a clean dry storage place.
What if the truck cannot pass the gate?
That is why we ask for a gate photo before the date. We may use a smaller vehicle in two runs after agreeing with you.