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Moving Furniture/moving a sofa
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QUESTION: Hey Harry, I wonder if you can help. I have fallen in love with this sofa (http://www.johnlewis.com/230430042/Product.aspx) the dimensions on the website aren't great but from them would you be able to work out if it would fit in a door with a frame size of 72cm by 189cm. there is space for it to come down the hall but it would have to be upended I think to get in the room. I'm guess the key to it fitting in the hight of the back of it without the cushions??
thanks very much
ANSWER: Hello Hannah,
If the room it has to go in is on the SIDE of the hallway, there is going to be a problem. It sounds like the sofa will need to travel down the hallway then be stood on end. At this point the sofa will need to be rotated to face the doorway. It would need to be tipped back and the bottom pulled into the room. In order to tip the sofa back you would need a very wide hallway of about 140 cm. The back would be snug also, it is a little higher than I would like to see. From what I can tell, I recommend a sofa with a length of less than 189 cm and a back height of 78 cm or less. look for sofas with removable legs and it must be a standard style. The reason I said it should have a short length is so it will fit under the door frame. Is there any other way into the room that could work?
Sorry for the bad news.
Let me know if I can help further.
Thanks,
Harry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: harry my hall is 185cm opposite the door. am I right in thinking if the top back rail is less than 72 cm high the sofa can just slide directly in? ( I really want this sofa!) thanks again.
Hello Hannah,
The 185 cm opposite your doorway is definitely a big plus! The will give the sofa plent of tip room to get through the doorway. The height of the top rail DOES NOT have to be less than 72 cm. The sofa back can be as high as 82 cm and still be able to be maneuvered through. If the back cushions aren't removable, the top will be able to be compressed to get the room needed.
So, it looks like you are going to be ok. You can always send me photos of the lay out to:
hlipsky@pre-movestrategies.com
Keep me posted,
Harry
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Answers by Expert:
Harry Lipsky
Expertise
Moving your furniture. I would like to answer all questions dealing with the proper techniques of how to move ANY type of furniture, including difficult doorways and stairways. Also, all questions dealing with the proper packing of breakables including antiques. All general questions concerning the moving and storage industry will be answered. I cannot recommend a particular mover in a person`s neighborhood but i can explain how to obtain a company in good standing with the community. I have been in the moving and storage industry for almost four decades! I am located in Massachusetts.
Experience
I have almost four decades of experience in the moving & storage industry. When I was a small boy my father introduced me into the moving business and I have been hooked ever since. At first I started out as a young laborer untill I was old enough to drive a furniture van. As time went on I drove 18-wheelers around the country moving small shipments as well as large corporate relocations. I was taught the old school methods by men that were craftsman in their field. I learned how to pack the most delicate of breakables as well as museum pieces. It was common practice to do estimates and even the actual ratings on interstate jobs. Doing commercial moves were a big part of my moving career over the years. Some of the big names that I delt with were "GE","MICROSOFT","FIDELITY INVESTMENTS" AND "AMERICAN EXPRESS". As the years went by my family retired and sold the business (not my choice). I went on to establish my own moving company which ran for 12 years before I phased out the physical moving itself. Today I have developed a consulting service where I advise future furniture buyers as well as people moving for the first time on what to expect from their upcoming adventure. Furniture buyers are advised on what size furniture will fit through their narrow doorways and tight hallways. By choosing furniture with the right dimensions will narrow down the probability of the furniture being returned back to the store. That is not a scenario people want after waiting 8-12 weeks for their new furniture. I can also help people to understand the proper procedures of a first time move in their lives. I tell them what is to be expected,how they can save money,how to choose a good mover and what is involved with getting the packing done.
Organizations
I have a FACEBOOK page for PRE-MOVE STRATEGIES. Please become a fan! I would like to have all people that I have helped to leave their comments on the FACEBOOK page.
Education/Credentials
I have a high school diploma from Swampscott High School............Swampscott, MA. Immediately after high school I entered the family business where I stayed for 20 years before moving on to my own business endeavors.
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