The Residential House Moving Blueprint: Navigating Craftsman Homes, Hills & Narrow Streets
Seattle houses come with hills, rain and stairways built a century ago. A good house move plans around all three.
Here's how we handle house moves in Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, West Seattle, Ballard and Magnolia, plus older homes in Tacoma, Kent, Federal Way and Arlington.
Hills, steep driveways and wet weather
- Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Magnolia and West Seattle have steep blocks and stepped front paths. We plan the carry route before lifting anything.
- Steep driveways mean dollies, straps and shorter, safer carries.
- Tell us about stairs from the street to the front door when you book. It changes the crew size we recommend.
How we protect your home, rain or shine
Floor runners go down on every move, rain or shine, plus furniture blankets on every piece, and stretch wrap on upholstery and mattresses to keep water and grit off.
- Leave a towel and doormat at each entry for the crew.
- Keep a dry spot by the door for boxes waiting to load.
- Wet months mean slower, careful carries, so pad your schedule a little.
Craftsman entries, tight turns and narrow basements
- Older homes have narrow front doors, steep stairs and sharp 90-degree turns at landings.
- Measure your largest pieces and the tightest turn before move day.
- We take apart beds, tables and some sofas so they fit safely, then put them back together.
- Basements often have low ceilings and narrow stairs. Clear a path and point out low beams.
- Protect banisters and door frames. Our crews pad corners on tight routes.
Get a quote that fits your house
Film one walkthrough on your phone for the fastest, most accurate quote, send an inventory list, or request a call back or an in-home visit.
Narrow, car-lined streets
- Many Ballard, Fremont and Capitol Hill streets are lined with parked cars on both sides.
- We send a truck sized for the street, not just the load, so it can get close to your door.
- Tell us about dead ends, tight corners or a shared driveway when you book.
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 house move checklist and pricing
- Largest pieces and tightest turns measured
- Path to the truck cleared, including the basement
- Doormat and towel at each door on wet days (we bring floor runners)
- Tell us about parking and building rules
- Pets and kids set up somewhere safe for the day
| Crew | Hourly rate | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Two movers + truck | $150.00/hr | 3 hours |
| Three movers + truck | $210.00/hr | 4 hours |
| Four movers + truck | $270.00/hr | 4 hours |
| Labor only (two movers, your truck) | $125.00/hr | 3 hours |
All-inclusive hourly rates. Veterans and single-family home moves get 10% off. See our [residential movers](/residential) page or [full pricing](/pricing).
Ready to book your house move?
Get a quote in minutes with a video walkthrough, or call (206) 851-3886.
Want a number for your move?
Free written quotes, no obligation. We'll walk through your home size, access, and timing and give you a realistic total.
Frequently asked questions
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