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Chicago Moving & Home-Sale Prep Guide
Confirm the loading route before booking your Chicago move. Ask whether the crew should use the street, an alley entrance, or a building’s loading dock. For a walk-up, share stair and landing measurements. For a high-rise, match the mover’s arrival window to the elevator reservation. If you’re selling, coordinate removal, repairs, and cleaning around listing photos and the final walkthrough.
What to plan for your Chicago move or sale
Moving into a walk-up or high-rise
Ask management which entrance the crew should use and where the truck can wait. Confirm the approved stair route or service elevator, any reservation window, and what paperwork the building needs. Send the mover photos before asking it to estimate loading and unloading time.
Selling a Chicago home or condo
Include basement rooms, garage storage, and any assigned storage locker in your walkthrough. Ask your agent what should stay through listing photos and what must leave before handoff. Schedule hauling before the final clean, and confirm how a removal crew will reach bulky pieces in storage.
Furniture delivery and decorating
Measure both possible entrances if the front and rear routes differ. Include stair turns, elevator openings, and the unit doorway. Once the main furniture is placed, decide where you want curtains, mirrors, shelves, and artwork. Confirm that products have arrived before scheduling assembly or installation.
TV mounting and DIY
Photograph the intended TV wall from your main seat and include nearby outlets. Share the TV and mount model numbers. Have the mounting surface checked if its construction is unclear, and ask the landlord or building manager about any restrictions before booking work.
Where should furniture or a mattress go before move-out?
Check who handles waste collection for your building. If it uses city collection, contact Chicago 311 to confirm instructions for the items and address. If it uses a private hauler, ask management about accepted items, charges, and pickup arrangements. Confirm where the items belong before carrying anything to an alley, curb, or shared area.
For an address outside Chicago, check the city or provider serving that address.
Example — A Lakeview walk-up to a downtown condo
Suppose the condo offers an elevator slot from noon to 2 p.m. Photograph the origin’s stairs and the route from the truck, then ask the mover how early it needs to start. If a sofa or dresser isn’t coming, plan its removal separately so it doesn’t delay loading. Confirm who will meet the truck at the condo and how much time the crew needs for check-in before unloading.
Need help organizing your Chicago move?
Bring your dates, building instructions, and photos of the stairs, loading route, or furniture. We’ll help you put the jobs in order and identify what to confirm with your mover, management, or removal crew.
$39 · 20-minute virtual appointment · Book online 24/7 · Available nationwide — Mr. Home Guy USA
ConsultRelated moving and home-sale prep guides
- How do I plan a move into or out of a condo or high-rise?
- What should I measure before moving furniture into my new home?
- What can I donate and what needs to be hauled away?
- How do I clear out a house before closing day?
- Can I mount my TV on this wall in my new home?
Check out our Chicago Move-Day Checklist for Walk-Ups and High-Rises blog