MOVING TIPS & ADVICE
Moving Checklist for Village Houses and Tong Lau: Stairs, Distance, and Large Items
Key answers
Village-house and tong lau moves often fail on narrow stairs, long walkways, tight corners, and oversized furniture. Measure first, photograph access, and confirm the route in writing to reduce delays and disputes.
Why village-house and tong lau moves need extra checks
Moving a village house or a tong lau is not just a bigger version of a normal move. No lift, narrow stairs, tight turns, small door frames, and a long path from the village entrance can all change the time, manpower, and vehicle plan.
If you only give a standard home address and find out the access limits on moving day, delays and extra arrangements can happen. The point of checking early is to make the quotation and logistics reflect the real site conditions, not an ideal one.
What to measure on stairs and passages
Measure the narrowest stair width, landing space, and clear doorway width. Watch for handrails, meter boxes, pipes, mailboxes, and stored items that can block turning. In older buildings, low headroom at corners can stop long furniture from making the turn.
Also check the floor condition and lighting. Wet steps, loose stone surfaces, and dark stairwells slow the team down and increase the chance of damage. Clear the doorway area before moving day and make sure no neighbour's belongings are blocking the route.
How to confirm the route from the road to the door
If the truck cannot stop at the door, measure the actual walking distance and note any slope, steps, gravel, gates, or narrow bends. These details affect how many trolley runs are needed, how long the move will take, and whether a larger vehicle can fit.
Take photos of where the vehicle can stop, the walking path, and the tightest turns. If the lane is too narrow for turning around, or the gate has height or width limits, confirm in advance whether a smaller vehicle or a staged transfer will be needed.
Check whether large items can be dismantled
Do not assume sofas, wardrobes, beds, dining tables, or desks can be moved as one piece. Measure length, width, and height, then compare them with the doorway, stair turns, and vehicle opening. If dismantling is possible, label screws and fittings so the item can be reassembled properly later.
For fridges, washing machines, and televisions, the key issue is fit through the route, not only weight. Protect vulnerable edges and surfaces before moving. If electrical connections, plumbing, fixed installations, or other technical work are involved, leave it to a qualified professional rather than trying to force the task.
Questions to ask before you confirm the quote
Do not just say it is a village-house or tong lau move. Give the floor level, lift or no lift, push distance, list of large items, whether dismantling is needed, and any narrow access points. Ask for the calculation basis to be confirmed in writing so there is less room for disagreement later.
Also ask what happens if the team finds the route unusable on arrival. Can they dismantle first, change the route, change the schedule, or re-plan the job? If gate access, parking, building entry, or village rules matter, confirm what the customer must prepare ahead of time.
What to check on moving day
Before the team arrives, clear corridors, the doorway, and the stair entrance. Keep documents, valuables, breakables, and daily essentials separate. It also helps to add simple protection to walls, corners, and handrails, then review the item list again before loading starts.
Check large items for scratches, dents, or missing fittings before and after loading. Make sure keys, access cards, parking arrangements, and entry permissions are ready at both addresses. If the route or item size is different from what was expected, pause and confirm the next step before anyone forces the item through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I measure first for a village-house or tong lau move?
Start with the narrowest stair width, landing space, and doorway clearance, then note the actual route from the road to the door and the dimensions of large furniture. These are the measurements that most often decide whether dismantling is needed.
What should I do if the truck cannot park at the entrance?
Check the actual walking route, slope, steps, and any narrow bends in advance, and share photos with the mover. Then ask whether a trolley transfer, a smaller vehicle, or a staged move is needed.
Must large furniture always be dismantled?
No, but you should confirm whether it can fit through the doorway and stair turns. If it can be dismantled safely, prepare the screws and fittings. If it involves fixed installation or technical work, use a qualified professional instead of forcing it.
What details are most often left out when asking for a quote?
Commonly missed details are stair count, push distance, gate or village access limits, narrow corners, and the number of oversized items. Leaving these out can lead to re-planning, delays, and disputes on moving day.
What should I do if the passage is too narrow on the day?
Stop and remeasure before proceeding. Confirm whether the item can be dismantled, the route can be changed, or the loading order can be adjusted. Do not force electrical, plumbing, or other technical tasks; ask for written confirmation from the relevant professional if needed.
