4 storey house - delivery for upper floors

[nameychange]

how difficult is it to have heavy items delivered to the room needed?

We’re looking at buying a 4 storey house, the ground floor is just garage and then the utility on next floor is where we’d need a washing machine and tumble drier. The kitchen is on the third floor so fridge/freezer.

Do places deliver to upper floors?

We live in a third floor flat. There is a lift but it doesn't fit big stuff.

You need to be honest when ordering things. Some companies will do a free trial before delivery to see if something (sofa?) will fit. Mostly depends on how tight your stairs are. The stairs here are wide with large landings, much bigger than in a house.

Well, they do, but obviously you need to discuss this with the removal company when you are booking.
My friend had her piano upstairs in one house, and they got it there.
We have an extremely heavy filing cabinet on our 3rd floor.

Virtually all the furniture / appliance deliveries I’ve had in the past to flats above ground level have been on the good will of the delivery guys, to be honest. Although I’ve always arranged to have a couple of good strong friends willing to come over on delivery day and help if delivery men stuck to kerbside delivery only, which is what most companies state upfront.

Staircases (angles and turning space) can also be an issue. New builds tend to be better on this than older properties which simply weren’t designed for e.g the enormous corner sofas and American-style fridge freezers we’re fond of now.

The stairs are wide and things would go up them it’s just whether companies will actually deliver to upper storeys. So the feedback is useful. There is a side entrance to the third floor but that’s up a very steep path but that might be an option I guess.

I’d like to move the kitchen to the first floor so new kitchen would need to be delivered to that floor including appliances. Guess it’s just asking when buying.

It's a mixed bag. We had to hoist furniture in via the balcony.

A lot of delivery guys even refuse to bring stuff into the ground floor. In my experience it’s best get the deliveries in while you have the builders in as they will often help get stuff into the house.

Thanks definitely something to consider.

I'm looking at ordering a sofa and generally they say curbside unless you pay extra, then they will deliver up to third floor. But make sure it's a two man delivery.
I once ordered a heavy duty Dyson washing machine and I told the company that it was first floor. First tme only one guy showed up and refused to take it upstairs. So when they booked the second delivery I again said it was first floor and would they send two men. I was assured they would. Of course only one guy came, but he got it up there. So it depends in the guys.
I also think this is where a tenner each would come in handy if they do manage to get things to the fourth floor without complaint.

A bit macabre, but the undertaker who took DF away had problems getting him down the stairs. Apparently that's quite a big issue in modern houses, so if you have more than one floor between the bedrooms and the front door it would be even more awkward, should the need arise.

So no range cooker or USA fridge for you then.

My kitchen is on the first floor and Tesco won’t even deliver the groceries upstairs, never mind anything heavier.

Yes, mixed bag, you can't know that about all companies in advance. Plus don't forget many deliveries are likely to be on pallets, eg tiles, which are heavy. So a third floor kitchen can be the right pain. You might also think stuff will go through the staircase but it really depends not only on its width, but shape and structure primarily, for example any beams etc.

When I say on pallets that's usually kerbside delivery, btw.

And thinking about it, I have no idea how you'd get things like kitchen worktops through the staircase either, even if cut to shape, they'll be long and heavy. Sofas even not assembled won't go in well either if they're large, you'd have to deliver from the outside through the windows.

Some companies will promise to deliver and install, or deliver to a designated room - I'd hunt around for one of these. Possibly AO - I can't be sure, it was a while ago we did it.

We ended up hiring a local bodybuilder to put our fridge and washing machine into two very awkward corners, lord help us if they ever break down.

IKEA delivered a sofa to a third floor room for us but we did tell tell them on ordering

Thanks, it was a passing thought but you’ve confirmed my worries. I know we’ve had delivery people rescues to take things up one flight of stair in our big standard house. As I’d like a new kitchen with solid stone worktops then it’s a huge concern.

Back to Rightmove for two storey houses with kitchens on the ground floor.