Almost everyone underestimates two things about moving house: how long packing takes and how much they own. A two-bedroom flat is usually a full day of packing on its own, and it is the job that gets left until the night before. The other common surprise is access: a narrow staircase, a lift that is out of order, a gate the lorry cannot pass, or an estate that needs notice before a moving truck can enter.
We plan for both. The survey shows us the volume and the access at both ends, and that is why our price does not move on the day.
Home sizes we move
| Home | What is typical |
|---|---|
| Bedsitter or studio | Small vehicle, compact crew; often packed and moved in half a day to a day |
| One-bedroom apartment | One vehicle; a day including packing if we pack for you |
| Two-bedroom apartment | Larger vehicle; usually a full day, with the most time spent on the kitchen and wardrobes |
| Three-bedroom home | Larger vehicle or two trips; a full day, sometimes two with a full pack |
| Four-bedroom and larger houses | Larger crew and vehicles; often planned over two days, with packing on the first |
These are typical patterns, not fixed rules. The survey confirms what your move needs.
Moving preparation
Good preparation makes moving day shorter and cheaper:
- Declutter first. Every item you sell, donate or throw away is one less to pack and move.
- Pack non-essentials early. Books, decor, out-of-season clothes and spare kitchenware can go into boxes a week or more ahead.
- Label by room, not by contents. “Bedroom 2” is more useful to the crew than “miscellaneous”.
- Pack an essentials bag. Chargers, medication, toiletries, a kettle, mugs, bedding and a change of clothes for the first night.
- Photograph meter readings and any existing damage at both properties.
Our full house moving checklist breaks this into a week-by-week plan.
Packing materials
On request we deliver materials before the move so you can pack at your own pace:
- Strong double-wall boxes in different sizes; small boxes for books, larger ones for light bulky items.
- Packing tape and labels.
- Bubble wrap and paper for crockery, glass and electronics.
- Mattress covers and wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes.
Avoid packing in sacks, open crates and supermarket cartons where you can. They tear, do not stack, and make loading slower.
Furniture protection and fragile items
Furniture is wrapped in blankets or protective wrap before it leaves the room. Glass tabletops, mirrors and framed pictures are wrapped and carried upright. TVs travel in their original box where you still have it, or wrapped with padding. Crockery is packed on its edge with paper between pieces, which is much stronger than stacking flat. Boxes are not overfilled so the bottoms do not give way.
Loading and unloading
The crew loads heavy furniture and appliances first, then boxes, then fragile items on top and in protected spaces, and straps everything in place. At the new property, items are offloaded and carried to the room on the label. Beds are set up first so you can sleep there that night.
Furniture dismantling and reassembly
Beds, wardrobes and desks that will not fit through doors are dismantled before loading and reassembled at the new home. Screws and fittings are bagged and taped to the item they belong to. Curtain rails, TV brackets, shelving and light fittings can be taken down and put up on request.
Apartment stairs, lifts and access
In Nairobi apartment blocks and gated estates, access rules can decide the whole schedule:
- Book the service lift with building management and confirm the permitted hours.
- Tell the caretaker and askari the date, and ask whether the moving vehicle needs to be registered.
- Check whether a large lorry can enter the estate or park near the block.
- Measure doorways and stair turns for large sofas and wardrobes.
We check these at the survey, at both properties.
Scheduling your move
A week's notice is comfortable for a flat and two weeks for a house. Month end, the start of the month and the end of the school term are the busiest periods, and weekends fill first. Mid-week and mid-month dates are easier to book.
How moving quotations are calculated
| Factor | What it means for your quote |
|---|---|
| Volume | The amount of furniture and number of boxes decides the vehicle size and crew size |
| Distance | Time on the road between the two properties |
| Access | Floors, lifts, stairs, parking distance and estate rules at both ends |
| Packing | Self-pack, part pack (fragile items and kitchen), or full pack |
| Dismantling and reassembly | Number and type of items |
| Materials | Boxes, tape and wrapping supplied |
| Special items | Pianos, safes, large fridges and gym equipment |
| Timing | Weekends and month-end dates |
See how much house movers charge in Nairobi for more detail.
What to expect on moving day
- The crew arrives at the agreed time and walks through with you.
- You confirm what is going and point out fragile or high-value items.
- Furniture is wrapped and dismantled where needed.
- Everything is loaded, secured and transported.
- At the new home, items go to the labelled rooms and furniture is reassembled.
- You check that everything has arrived before the crew leaves.
Your responsibilities
- Confirm access, lift bookings and parking at both properties.
- Empty and defrost the fridge the day before.
- Disconnect cookers, washing machines and water heaters, or arrange a technician.
- Remove gas cylinders, fuel, paint and chemicals from the move.
- Carry valuables, documents, medication and cash yourself.
- Be available, or have someone available, at both ends.
Items that need special handling
- Pianos and very heavy furniture.
- Large mirrors, artwork and glass tables.
- Large-screen TVs and audio equipment.
- Antiques and sentimental items.
- Plants, which may not survive a hot lorry for long.
- Aquariums, which must be emptied and the fish moved separately.
Tell us about these at the survey so that we bring the right materials and enough people.
Bed bugs and moving
Moving is one of the easiest ways to bring bed bugs into a new home. If you have had bed bugs, treat before you move and inspect furniture before it is loaded. We can coordinate bed bug treatment before the move and a treatment of the new property before your furniture arrives.
Common mistakes
- Getting a phone quote without a survey.
- Starting to pack the night before.
- Forgetting lift bookings and estate notice.
- Overfilling boxes or packing heavy items in large boxes.
- Leaving the fridge running until moving morning.
Read more in common moving mistakes and how to avoid them.
Areas we serve
We move households across Nairobi, including Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Westlands, Runda, Karen, Lang'ata, South B, South C and Embakasi, and to and from Ruaka, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Ngong, Syokimau and Kitengela. Moves further afield can be arranged on request.
