For a walk-up move, the stair route deserves the same attention as the furniture list. Count the flights at both addresses, photograph the turns, and measure the large pieces before moving day. A sofa that fits through your front door may still meet a tight landing halfway down.
Give the moving team those details when you request the move. “Second floor” can mean one straight flight, several short sets of steps, or an outside staircase followed by a long hallway.
Describe the entire carrying route
Start where the truck is expected to load. Follow the route to the apartment and note each change in level. Include the steps from the sidewalk, the entry stairs, and any stairs inside the unit.
Count flights rather than guessing a floor number. Mention narrow handrails, low ceilings, doors that swing into the route, and landings that require a turn. A short video taken while walking the route can explain those details more clearly than several disconnected photos.
At the destination, do the same walk before the crew arrives. If you have not received the keys yet, ask management for access details and available measurements. Mark information that is still unconfirmed so the mover can plan around the uncertainty.
Measure the awkward pieces first
Focus on the items that cannot easily change shape: a sofa frame, refrigerator, tall cabinet, heavy tabletop, or large desk. Record height, width, and depth. Then measure the narrowest opening and the usable space at stair turns.
Remove loose cushions and shelves when the furniture allows it, and keep the parts together. Tell the mover whether a bed or desk was assembled in the room. Splendid Moving includes furniture disassembly and reassembly in its local moving service, but the team still needs to know what it is handling.
Avoid forcing a fit based only on the width of a doorway. The crew needs enough room to turn and carry the piece safely. If a route looks doubtful, raise it before the booking is finalized. Confirm the agreed method; do not assume that hoisting, balcony access, or equipment outside the standard move is available.
Pack boxes you can handle safely
Keep heavy contents in smaller boxes. Books, canned goods, and dishes can make a large box difficult to carry on stairs even when it looks only half full. Use sound boxes that close flat, then label the destination room on a side.
Seal the bottom securely. Open-top containers and bags with loose objects create extra handling on a staircase. Put small loose hardware in a labeled bag and keep it with the furniture it belongs to.
If you are still packing the kitchen, the kitchen packing guide explains how to split heavy and fragile items. Keep a separate essentials bag with you rather than putting it into the general loading area.
Leave room for the crew to work
Clear the stairway and the apartment's main walking route. Move shoes, plants, doormats, and small furniture out of the way. Keep pets in a secure room or with someone who can watch them.
Tell neighbors or management when shared stairs will be in use, following your building's rules. A person who can open gates and hold access doors is useful; extra people standing on a landing make the route harder to use.
Identify anything that stays in the apartment. A clear note on the item is better than expecting everyone to remember which nearly identical chair belongs to a roommate.
Ask how the stair route changes the plan
Stairs can add carrying time and change the crew plan. The effect depends on the inventory, distance from the truck, and route at both buildings. Ask how those details are reflected in your written moving terms rather than assuming a standard amount per floor.
Splendid's current local hourly options start with two movers and a truck, and every hourly package has a three-hour minimum. Review the local moving service and send the access photos with your item list when you request a quote. The team can then discuss the actual route instead of discovering it at the stairwell.