Moving to a flat without a lift is one of the most physically demanding challenges a removals company can face. Carrying a 90 kg sofa up 4 floors, a double mattress or an American-style fridge-freezer requires technique, additional equipment and careful planning. This guide explains how to organise a move to a flat without a lift while minimising cost and risk — particularly useful in the older neighbourhoods of the Canary Islands (Vegueta in Las Palmas, La Laguna in Tenerife, Santa Cruz de La Palma).
The extra cost of a flat without a lift
Removals to flats without a lift typically cost between 15% and 40% more than equivalent moves with a lift. The surcharge is justified by:
- Time: carrying each item up and down the stairs triples the time required
- Additional staff: you need 4–5 workers instead of the usual 3
- Physical risk: back injuries, falls, hernias
- Risk to your belongings: furniture knocked against walls on narrow staircases
- Possible need for an external crane (200–500 € extra)
Your first task: measure the staircase
The critical measurements
- Usable step width: how many cm of tread each step has
- Usable width between walls: the real gap through which a large piece of furniture must pass
- Landing space: how many cm you have to manoeuvre between flights
- Ceiling height on the staircase: important for tall furniture
- Number of floors: how many flights up to your flat
- Type of staircase: straight, L-shaped, spiral (the worst)
Measure your largest pieces of furniture
Compare them against the staircase dimensions. The most problematic items are: sofas (130–240 cm), mattresses (135–180 cm long), wardrobes (full panels), American-style fridge-freezers (180–200 cm tall × 90 cm wide). If the dimensions don't fit, consider disassembly or a crane.
The 4 solutions depending on furniture type
1. Carrying up the stairs the traditional way
Viable for furniture that fits. Technique:
- Minimum 2–3 workers per piece of furniture
- Padded blankets around the item
- Hydraulic stair-climbing trolley for very heavy pieces
- Slow and steady, with constant communication between workers
- Rest between each flight to avoid injuries
2. Full disassembly
For furniture that will NOT fit through the staircase as-is:
- IKEA / modular wardrobes: disassemble panels, reassemble at destination
- Large beds: disassemble headboard, base, legs
- Tables: remove legs (especially dining and desk tables)
- Sofa beds: disassemble the mechanism if possible
Extra cost of disassembly + reassembly: 80–200 €, but it can save the move.
3. External crane (lift via balcony)
The definitive option when nothing else works:
- Hydraulic crane from the street up to the flat's balcony or window
- Elevating platform loads the furniture from below
- Requires a municipal public highway occupation permit (OVP)
- Cost: 200–500 € extra depending on height and hours required
- Only possible if there is an accessible balcony/large window and a wide enough street to position the crane
4. Sell / give away and buy new at destination
Sometimes the most practical option: if your sofa won't fit through the staircase and buying a new one costs 600 € (similar to the cost of a crane + transport), sell it on Wallapop (recover 100–200 €) and buy a new one suited to the new space.
Flats without lifts in the Canary Islands: the most common areas
Historic centre of Las Palmas (Vegueta and Triana)
Buildings of 3–5 storeys without lifts, narrow pedestrianised streets, communities with strict rules. Removals are common here but always require prior planning.
Historic centre of La Laguna (Tenerife)
UNESCO World Heritage Site with many dwellings in listed buildings without lifts. Renovations to add a lift are often impossible due to heritage protection. If you are moving here, expect a staircase removal.
Old town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Heliodoro Rodríguez López, Salamanca)
Traditional neighbourhoods with 2–4-storey buildings, many without a lift or with a very small lift that cannot accommodate bulky furniture.
Santa Cruz de La Palma, San Sebastián de La Gomera
Compact historic centres, many sloping streets, low-rise buildings without lifts. Particularly tricky for large furniture.
Before signing the lease: the sofa test
If you are viewing flats without a lift, before signing the contract:
- Walk up and down the staircase mentally sizing it up against your furniture
- Ask the landlord or neighbours whether they have recently moved large pieces upstairs
- Check whether there is an option for an external crane (accessible street, balcony or large window)
- If you have ANY doubt that your sofa will fit, either rule out that flat or accept you will need to sell the sofa before moving
Moving day in a flat without a lift
Start EARLY
Removals to a flat without a lift can take 10–12 hours (compared with 6–8 hours with a lift). Start at 8–9 a.m. to finish before sunset.
Inform the neighbours
As a courtesy, notify the building community 1–2 days in advance. Some neighbours may have restrictions (afternoon nap, young children, etc.) and appreciate knowing there will be activity throughout the day.
Drinks and food available
The workers will be doing intense physical work for many hours. Have cold water, coffee and snacks available. It is not obligatory, but it is appreciated and improves performance.
Worker vehicles parked nearby
If there is a narrow or pedestrianised street, check where the lorry can park and plan with an OVP permit (which we handle on your behalf).
Frequently asked questions about removals to flats without a lift
From which floor do you charge a surcharge for no lift?
It varies by company. At Horizont Atlantic we apply a surcharge from the 2nd floor without a lift: ~50 € per floor for medium volumes, ~80 € per floor for large removals with bulky furniture.
What if the lift is very small and my sofa won't fit?
This is common in older buildings. If only 1–2 large pieces do not fit in the lift, we carry them up the stairs with an additional charge. If most of the furniture does not fit, the charge is the same as if there were no lift at all.
What happens if we decide my sofa won't go up and has to stay on the street?
You should never have to pay to "transport" a piece of furniture that cannot be brought into the new home. If we foresaw during the technical survey that the sofa would not fit and we do not move it: you are not charged for that item. If it was unforeseen at the survey and we discover on moving day that it won't fit: we advise you on selling it on Wallapop or taking it to a recycling centre.
Does the external crane have to reach the street of the flat?
Yes — physically it needs to be close to the balcony where the furniture is being lifted. There are smaller cranes that can work on streets 3 m wide, but the large ones (for 4th–6th floor) need streets of 5+ m. In very narrow historic centres this may not be possible and the staircase must be used.
Is it cheaper to use 4 friends than a professional company for a flat without a lift?
Rarely. Consider: van rental (60–80 €) + fuel (30 €) + food and drinks (50 €) + no insurance + risk of back injury + risk of damaged furniture with no cover. It usually ends up costing the same as a professional company but with worse results.
How far in advance should I mention that there is no lift?
At the technical pre-survey or when requesting a quote. It is one of the most important factors in the assessment. A move quoted "with a lift" that turns out to be "without a lift" on the day carries a considerable surcharge to be applied on the spot.
Technical removals on any staircase in the Canary Islands
At Horizont Atlantic we have a professional team trained in removals to flats without a lift: stair-climbing trolleys, hydraulic cranes, elevating platforms, experienced workers. Request a quote specifying that your destination or origin has no lift (and the exact floor) and we will reply with an optimised proposal including all the resources required.
