Originally published June 2012. One of our first year of jobs — the approach has not changed.
Moving from Bedford to North London is manageable in terms of distance. The A1 keeps journey times predictable and on a clear run you are looking at around an hour. The challenge on this particular job was not the drive, it was what waited at the other end. A third-floor flat in Southgate, no lift, and six flights of stairs.
The Job
The client provided a full inventory list in advance, which allowed Iva to assess the scope of the move and produce a fixed-price quote. The Southgate flat parking was confirmed via Google Street View; the building had a private residents' car park with wide bays and easy access close to the entrance.
The client sourced their own boxes and packed everything independently before move day. Furniture included a 3-seater sofa, armchair, one double bed with mattress, IKEA sliding-door wardrobe, office desk and chair, sideboard, dining table with chairs, two bookshelves, fridge-freezer, and washing machine.
Planning ahead
The inventory list immediately identified the key challenge: a third-floor flat with no lift and six flights of stairs. A fridge freezer, a double bed and a full two-bedroom house's worth of furniture going up six flights is not a two-person unload. Two additional team members were confirmed at the survey stage to meet the van at the Southgate flat. The question was timing, and that is handled on the day once loading is complete, and the GPS tracking shows the van's progress toward London.
Loading in Bedford (MK40)
The two-man team arrived at the Bedford property at 9:00 am. The house had its own large driveway and no parking restrictions on the road outside, the van was in position immediately with no time lost.
Boxes and suitcases went in first. The dining table legs were removed to get it through the doorways cleanly.
The IKEA sliding door wardrobe was carefully dismantled, each panel wrapped individually in Furniguard and stretch film before going on the van. The double bed was taken apart, wrapped and loaded. Every piece of furniture was wrapped in Furniguard and stretch film before leaving the property.
By 1:00 pm the van was fully loaded and ready to go, four hours from arrival to departure.
The drive to Southgate (N14)
The van left Bedford at 1:00pm. The drive from Bedford to Southgate took just under an hour, arriving at the Southgate flat at 2:00pm.
Unloading in Southgate
Both additional team members were already at the property when the van arrived, bringing the team to four for the unload. The van pulled into the residents car park close to the entrance without blocking access for other residents.With six flights of stairs and no lift, the team ran a carrying chain, each person taking responsibility for a section of the staircase on every trip. This keeps the work moving steadily, protects the team from unnecessary strain, and means heavy items like the fridge freezer and double bed get up the stairs safely without stopping and starting.
Boxes went to their correct rooms. Furniture was reassembled and positioned where the client wanted it. By 5:00pm everything was in place, three hours from arrival to finish.
A beer and a Coke
Once the last item was positioned, the client offered the team a beer. The crew accepted. Our driver had a Coke.
Planning a similar move?
If you are moving from Bedford to London or anywhere else across the city, get in touch for a free quote. We survey every job in advance so that decisions like team size and timing are made before move day, not on the doorstep.
