Free Chicago moving resource
Chicago High-Rise and Apartment Moving Planner
A building-first checklist for coordinating elevators, loading access, mover documents, cleaning, and the final handoff. Requirements vary by address, so confirm every rule with both buildings before booking the move.
Designed for residents, property managers, condominium associations, movers, real estate professionals, and relocation resource libraries.
Before booking the move
- Ask both buildings for written move-in or move-out procedures, permitted days, and permitted hours.
- Confirm whether a freight elevator, loading dock, service entrance, or parking area requires a reservation.
- Ask what mover insurance certificate, vendor registration, or deposit the building requires.
- Measure elevators, hallways, doors, and large furniture before moving day.
- Confirm where a moving vehicle may legally stop and whether current city or building permits are required.
- Choose a contact person at each building for access questions on moving day.
One to two weeks before
- Send required mover documents to building management and get written confirmation of approval.
- Reserve elevators, docks, carts, keys, and protective materials through the building process.
- Share access windows, loading instructions, height limits, and parking details with the mover.
- Label boxes by destination room and mark fragile, high-value, and first-night items.
- Arrange utility, internet, renter insurance, mail, and package-room changes.
- Schedule cleaning around the confirmed elevator and key-return windows.
Moving-day coordination
- Keep building contacts, mover contacts, reservation confirmations, and required documents accessible.
- Protect floors, walls, elevator interiors, and door frames exactly as each building directs.
- Keep fire doors, sidewalks, hallways, and emergency routes clear.
- Assign one person to direct movers while another checks the old unit room by room.
- Photograph any preexisting damage near elevators, halls, doors, and the unit before work begins.
- Remove packing waste using approved dumpsters, recycling rooms, or haul-away procedures.
Old-unit closeout
- Remove all belongings from closets, cabinets, storage cages, balconies, lockers, and parking spaces.
- Complete the lease-required cleaning and document the empty unit with photos and video.
- Confirm the final inspection or walkthrough process with management.
- Return keys, fobs, garage remotes, permits, elevator pads, and carts, then obtain written confirmation.
- Report new move-related damage promptly through the building's required channel.
- Save inspection records, photos, invoices, access confirmations, and deposit receipts together.
Details that prevent last-minute problems
Treat elevator approval and legal loading access as dependencies. A truck and crew are not enough if the building cannot receive them.
Use one written schedule that shows old-building access, travel time, new-building access, cleaning, inspections, and key return.
Do not assume two buildings have the same insurance, deposit, elevator, or vendor rules. Get separate written confirmations.
Official resources
Rules and recommendations can change. Confirm current requirements with the applicable agency, lease, or building manager.
- City of Chicago transportation information: check current city guidance for public-way and transportation questions
- City of Chicago residential information: official starting point for current resident services and requirements