Walk-Up Moves: Expert Extra Labor Planning Guide for Stairs-Only Buildings

Moving into or out of a walk-up building—where there is no elevator and everything must be carried up or down stairs—is a completely different experience from a ground-floor or elevator move. Every step, landing, and turn in the stairwell adds time, effort, and risk for both your belongings and the movers handling them. Smart extra labor planning is the key to keeping your walk-up move safe, efficient, and reasonably priced instead of exhausting, chaotic, and over-budget.

Whether you’re relocating into a classic city walk-up, a multi-story townhouse, or an older building with narrow stairways, planning for additional labor and time up front will save you money, prevent damage, and dramatically reduce your stress on moving day.

What Exactly Is a Walk-Up Move?

A walk-up move typically describes any move where movers cannot use an elevator and must carry all items via staircases. This includes:

• Older city apartment buildings with no elevators
• Multi-story townhomes or brownstones
• Duplexes/triplexes with internal staircases only
• Basement or attic apartments accessible only by stairs

Walk-up moves can be especially challenging when staircases are:

• Narrow or winding
• Steep or uneven
• Shared with neighbors (high-traffic common areas)
• In older buildings with fragile railings or low ceilings

These factors directly affect how many movers you need, how long your move will take, and whether additional services like hoisting or partial disassembly are required.

Why Walk-Up Moves Require Extra Labor Planning

A typical ground-floor move might be manageable with fewer movers and a shorter time frame. Walk-up moves are different because every additional flight of stairs multiplies the work. Proper extra labor planning matters for several reasons:

• Time: Carrying items up/down multiple flights can double (or even triple) load/unload times.
• Safety: Additional crew members help reduce the risk of falls, back injuries, and damage.
• Efficiency: Well-staffed crews can create efficient “stairway relay” systems.
• Cost Control: Planning labor correctly avoids unexpected overtime or extra trip charges.
• Building Rules: Many buildings limit how long hallways and stairwells can be blocked.

Instead of simply booking “a couple of movers and a truck,” it’s smarter to match the crew size and schedule precisely to your walk-up situation.

Key Factors That Affect Extra Labor Needs in Walk-Up Moves

To plan the right amount of extra labor, you and your moving company should consider several key variables. The combination of these factors will determine how many movers you need and how long your move will take.

1. Number of Floors and Flights of Stairs

The most obvious variable is how many floors the movers must climb. But it’s not just “3rd floor vs 5th floor”—you should also count the actual flights and landings. Some buildings have half-flights, split levels, or long interior stairs that affect timing.

• Low-level walk-up: 1–2 flights of stairs
• Mid-level walk-up: 3–4 flights
• High-level walk-up: 5+ flights or multiple stair segments per floor

As a rule of thumb, each additional flight adds noticeable time and fatigue. That’s where adding extra movers can actually save you money by keeping the total job time under control.

2. Size of Your Home and Volume of Items

The more items and furniture you have, the more extra labor you’ll likely need. Compare:

• A minimalist studio on the 4th floor vs.
• A fully furnished 2-bedroom on the 4th floor

Both are “4th floor walk-ups,” but the labor needs are very different. Movers plan by looking at:

• Number of bedrooms
• Amount of furniture (bulky vs minimal)
• Closets, storage units, and basement/garage contents
• Heavy or specialty items (piano, safe, large appliances, etc.)

3. Type and Weight of Furniture

Solid wood furniture, sectionals, glass tables, and oversized wardrobes all take extra effort and care on stairs. Items that often require more labor in walk-up moves include:

• King and queen beds, especially with heavy frames
• Armoires and wardrobes
• Sectional couches and sleeper sofas
• Large dining tables and buffets
• Washer/dryer units, refrigerators, and large appliances

For very heavy pieces, movers may recommend an extra person specifically for safe carrying on the stairs.

4. Staircase Layout and Building Access

Not all staircases are created equal. When you describe your walk-up, think through details like:

• Are the stairs straight or winding?
• Are there tight turns on landings?
• Is the ceiling low or sloped over the staircase?
• Are the steps narrow or uneven?
• Is the main stairway shared and busy with tenants?

A narrow spiral staircase may require more labor than a wide, straight staircase, because movers must carefully angle and maneuver items, sometimes requiring a “spotter” on each landing for safety.

5. Long Carries from Truck to Building

If the moving truck can’t park directly in front of your building, your movers will also be dealing with a “long carry”—the distance from the truck to the building entrance. Combined with multiple flights of stairs, this significantly increases the workload.

Examples of long carry challenges:

• Street parking half a block away
• Parking lot at the back of the complex
• No loading zone near the front entrance
• Gated communities with limited access

How Many Movers Do You Really Need for a Walk-Up Move?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but you can use general guidelines and then adjust based on your specific building and household size. To illustrate, here’s a comparison table for typical crew sizes on walk-up moves:

Home Size	Floor Level	Recommended Crew	Why
Studio / Small 1-Bed	2nd–3rd floor	2–3 movers	Sufficient for fewer items; 3 movers speeds up stairs work
Studio / Small 1-Bed	4th–5th floor	3 movers	Extra mover helps with fatigue and long stair carries
Standard 1–2 Bed	2nd–3rd floor	3 movers	Balanced crew for furniture + boxes on moderate stairs
Standard 1–2 Bed	4th–5th floor	3–4 movers	Higher floor + more furniture benefits from a 4th mover
3+ Bed or Heavily Furnished	2nd–3rd floor	4 movers	Multiple rooms and bulky items; reduces overall time
3+ Bed or Heavily Furnished	4th–5th+ floor	4–5 movers	High floors + volume of items require strong team rotation

Keep in mind that while more movers increase the hourly rate, they often decrease the total number of hours needed—especially for stair-only moves. In many walk-up jobs, hiring one extra mover is cheaper than paying for an extra 2–3 hours of labor with an undersized crew.

Estimating Time and Cost for Walk-Up Moves

Most moving companies charge by the hour for local moves, often with a minimum time requirement. Walk-up moves typically increase total labor time. Here’s how to think about planning:

Time Impact of Stairs

Every trip up and down stairs takes more time than a simple ground-level carry. While each move is different, you can expect:

• 2nd–3rd floor: 15–25% more time vs. comparable ground-floor move
• 4th–5th floor: 25–40% more time
• 5+ floors or extremely tight stairs: 40%+ more time

The right-sized crew helps keep that added time from spiraling out of control.

Common Additional Fees in Walk-Up Moves

Some movers may charge specific fees for walk-up conditions. Always ask in advance if any of the following apply:

• Stair carry fee: For carrying items above a certain floor
• Long carry fee: For extended distances from truck to door
• Heavy item surcharge: For very heavy items on stairs
• Extra labor for disassembly/reassembly: Beds, wardrobes, large tables

Professional companies like United Local Movers will walk you through these potential costs so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises. Reach out for a customized quote tailored to your specific walk-up and furniture list.

Designing an Efficient Labor Plan for Your Walk-Up Move

Once you understand your building and belongings, you can work with your movers to build a realistic labor plan. This is where expert planning turns a difficult walk-up move into a smooth, well-orchestrated operation.

Create a Clear Inventory of Your Items

A detailed inventory helps your movers estimate time and crew size accurately. Include:

• Number of rooms and major furniture pieces
• Any oversized or fragile items
• Appliances you’re moving (if any)
• Garage/basement or storage unit contents

Photos and short videos of each room can also be incredibly helpful for your moving consultant.

Share Detailed Building Information

Don’t just say “4th floor walk-up.” Try to provide:

• Exact floor level and how many flights of stairs
• Approximate width of stairs (or a photo)
• Ceiling height and any tight turns
• Whether there are alternate stairwells (back stairs, service stairs)
• Parking situation and distance from truck to front door

The more your movers know, the better they can plan crew size, equipment, and timing.

Use a “Relay System” on Moving Day

Professional movers often set up a relay or “chain” system for walk-up moves. For example:

• One or two movers stay downstairs near the truck, loading/receiving items
• One or two movers stay upstairs in the apartment, packing/unpacking and staging items
• One or more movers work primarily on the stairs, passing items between floors

This reduces the number of long trips any one mover has to make and keeps the flow of items moving steadily. It’s also a major reason why a 3- or 4-person crew can be dramatically more efficient than just 2 people running up and down stairs all day.

Protecting Your Belongings and Building During a Walk-Up Move

Walk-up moves don’t just require more muscle—they also demand more protection for your items and the building itself. Extra labor is often about safety and care, not just speed.

Protecting Furniture and Boxes

With staircases involved, items face more bumps, tight turns, and potential drops. A good moving crew will:

• Thoroughly pad and wrap furniture with moving blankets and shrink wrap
• Use shoulder dollies and strap systems for heavy items
• Reinforce heavy boxes and clearly mark “FRAGILE” items
• Pre-plan the order of items based on weight and fragility

Protecting Staircases and Hallways

Extra labor also ensures that someone can focus on protecting the building as items move through it. Common protective measures include:

• Floor runners or carpet shields on stair treads
• Padding on railings and tight corners
• Door jamb protectors at entryways
• Careful traffic flow to reduce scuffs and impacts

In many walk-up buildings, especially co-ops and condos, management will require this kind of protection—and may even charge you for damage. It’s far cheaper to pay for a properly sized crew that can move carefully than to deal with building repair bills afterward.

How to Prepare Yourself for a Successful Walk-Up Move

There’s plenty you can do before your movers arrive to make your walk-up move faster, safer, and more affordable. Proper preparation effectively reduces how much extra labor is needed—or allows the same crew to work much more efficiently.

1. Declutter Aggressively Before Packing

Every unnecessary item you keep is another trip up or down the stairs. Donate, sell, recycle, or discard:

• Old clothes, books, and decor you don’t love
• Damaged or low-quality furniture not worth the stair effort
• Appliances you don’t plan to keep long-term

Think about the physical toll of carrying each item up those stairs. If it’s not worth it, don’t move it.

2. Pack Smart for Stair Carrying

Proper packing is critical in walk-up moves:

• Use smaller, sturdy boxes for heavy items like books or dishes
• Don’t overpack large boxes—weight matters on stairs
• Clearly label boxes by room and note “FRAGILE” where needed
• Distribute weight evenly so boxes are easy to grip and carry

Movers can work faster and safer when boxes are manageable and well-labeled.

3. Pre-Measure Furniture and Stairways

Before moving day, measure:

• Large furniture (height, width, depth)
• Doorways and stairwell clearances
• Angles on tight corners or landings

This allows you and your movers to decide in advance whether certain pieces should be disassembled, moved via an alternate route, or potentially not moved at all.

4. Reserve Parking and Building Access

Where possible:

• Arrange a temporary loading zone close to your entrance
• Notify building management about your moving date and time
• Reserve stairwell access windows if your building requires it
• Ask management about protection requirements (floor coverings, etc.)

Reducing long carries and traffic in the stairwell keeps your crew focused on moving, not waiting.

When You Absolutely Should Add Extra Labor

There are walk-up scenarios where extra labor isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s strongly recommended. Consider adding at least one additional mover if:

• You’re on the 4th floor or higher
• You have multiple large or heavy furniture pieces
• Staircases are narrow, steep, or unusually tight
• You’re moving a 2+ bedroom home with a lot of belongings
• You’re working with a tight time window or building restrictions

In these cases, trying to save a little on hourly crew size can backfire, leading to:

• Long, exhausting moving days
• Overtime charges and extended truck rental fees
• Higher risk of damage to items or building
• Frustrated movers and unnecessary stress for you

How Professional Movers Plan Extra Labor for Walk-Up Jobs

Experienced movers follow a structured process when assessing walk-up jobs and recommending extra labor. Here’s what typically happens during a quote:

• Information gathering: They ask about floors, stairs, building layout, and parking.
• Inventory review: They review your item list, photos, or video walkthrough.
• Risk assessment: They identify difficult items, narrow passages, and time constraints.
• Crew recommendation: They propose a crew size and estimated job time.
• Cost breakdown: They outline hourly rates, any stair/long-carry fees, and optional services.

Companies like United Local Movers specialize in tailoring crew size and planning to your exact walk-up situation, making sure you have the right number of hands on deck—no more, no less.

Why Partner with United Local Movers for Your Walk-Up Move

Walk-up moves can be among the most demanding types of local relocations. You want a moving team that understands the extra labor required and plans for it intelligently, not one that guesses and hopes for the best.

United Local Movers offers:

• Experienced crews trained for stairs-only moves
• Accurate estimates based on detailed walk-up assessments
• Flexible crew sizing so you’re never under- or over-staffed
• Protective materials for your belongings and building
• Transparent pricing with clear explanations of any additional charges

If you’re facing a walk-up move, don’t leave extra labor planning to chance. Visit https://unitedlocalmovers.com to request a personalized quote and talk through the best crew size, timing, and strategy for your specific building.

Final Checklist for Stress-Free Walk-Up Extra Labor Planning

To wrap up, here’s a quick checklist to help you plan extra labor for your walk-up move like a pro:

• Confirm your exact floor and number of stair flights
• Document stair width, tight corners, and parking distance
• Prepare a detailed inventory, including heavy/oversized items
• Decide which furniture to move, sell, or donate
• Discuss crew size options with your moving company
• Ask about potential stair, long-carry, or heavy-item fees
• Declutter and pack with stair-carrying in mind
• Notify building management and reserve access/parking
• Confirm final crew size and start time before moving day

With thoughtful extra labor planning, even a 5th-floor walk-up move can be handled efficiently, safely, and without overwhelming you or your movers.

When you’re ready to schedule, reach out to United Local Movers for professional guidance and a crew that’s fully prepared for the unique demands of your walk-up move.