The High-Rise & Condo Moving Blueprint: Navigating COAs, Elevators & Tight Spaces

Building rules and your certificate of insurance (COI)

• Most Seattle and Bellevue towers require a COI from your movers before move day. No COI, no elevator.
• Ask your building manager or HOA (COA) for their exact COI wording: certificate holder name, address and coverage limits.
• Send it to us early. We issue the certificate to match your building's requirements.
• Check move-in and move-out windows. Many buildings allow weekday moves only, or set fixed time slots.
• Ask about deposits or move fees the building charges. Those are separate from our rates.

Freight elevators and loading docks

• Reserve the freight elevator as soon as your date is set. Popular end-of-month slots fill first.
• Book a window longer than you think. A shared elevator can add an hour of waiting if it's unreserved.
• Confirm the dock: truck height limit, max time allowed and who to call on arrival.
• Ask whether the elevator needs padding. If the building doesn't provide it, we bring our own.
• Measure big pieces (sectional, king bed, piano) against the elevator door and cab depth.

High-density parking: alleys and low-clearance garages

• Alley loading is common in Capitol Hill, First Hill and Belltown, but alleys are narrow and often shared with dumpsters and deliveries.
• Most residential garages are too low for a moving truck. Assume the truck stays outside.
• Every extra foot between truck and door adds carry time on an hourly move.
• Tell us about one-way streets, bike lanes and bus stops near your entrance. We'll plan where the truck stages.

Parking and permits: we handle it

• We arrange parking permits on every move, including labor-only moves with your rental truck. You never apply or put up signs.
• We only use a permit when a full-size truck needs reserved space near your door. Many moves don't need one.
• When one is needed, we reserve it through SDOT (Temporary No Parking Zone or a paid-area permit on metered blocks) and post the signs 72 hours ahead, as the city requires.
• The city's permit fee is added to your bill at cost.
• Your part: move your own cars out of the zone the night before, and tell us about building rules, elevator windows and tight streets when you book.

More detail on when a permit is needed and what it costs is in our Seattle moving truck parking permit guide.

Your high-rise move checklist and pricing

• COI requested and sent to us
• Freight elevator and dock reserved
• Big items measured
• Tell us about parking and building rules
• Building contact number saved for move day