The sofa that will not turn
Long sofas and rigid corner units often stick at the half-landing of Soviet-era stairwells. Through the balcony, the turn does not matter.
External lift
A furniture lift through the window when the stairs will not work
A furniture lift is an external platform or crane that raises sofas, wardrobes and appliances from the street straight to a window or balcony, bypassing a narrow stairwell or missing lift. Whether it can be used, and the price, depend on the building, the street and the item, so we confirm it from your photos. Book or ask in English by phone, text or WhatsApp.
- For items that cannot take the stairs
- Reach and capacity confirmed from photos
- Site and weather checked before the day
- Arranged with you in English
When it makes sense
When an external lift is the right answer
It is not the first option for every move. It is the right one when carrying through the building is impossible or would risk damage.
You need an external lift when an item physically cannot pass through the stairwell, the lift or the flat door, and taking it apart is not possible or would ruin it. It also helps on upper floors of buildings without any working lift, where carrying very heavy pieces up many flights is slow and risky.
Upper floors without a lift
Old blocks in Gldani, Isani or Didube may have many floors and a lift that has not worked for years. A lift saves a long, heavy carry.
Items that cannot be dismantled
Solid wood wardrobes, glued pieces, large glass cabinets and some appliances are made in one piece.
Protecting a new stairwell
In a newly renovated entrance, the building may prefer that large items do not scrape the walls.
Renovation materials
During a flat renovation, bulky materials sometimes go in through the window as well. Tell us exactly what they are.
Large items on the way out
The same logic works in reverse, for bringing a heavy piece down to the street.
On the ground
What the site needs
The equipment stands on the street or in the yard below your window, so the space there decides everything.
There must be room to park and set up the equipment close to the facade, on a surface that can take its weight. In narrow Sololaki or Vera lanes, parked cars and steep slopes can make this difficult. In Soviet-era courtyards, space is often fine but the entry to the yard may be tight.
Overhead electricity and telecom cables are common on Tbilisi facades, and mature trees line many streets in Vake and Saburtalo. The lift needs a clear path from the ground to the opening. If cables cross that path, the job may not be possible from that side.
The item must fit through the window or balcony. Measure the actual opening, not the frame. Some windows can be removed for the day, but that is a decision for you and the landlord and must be arranged in advance.
Someone inside must be able to take the item off the platform safely. A balcony with a sturdy rail and a clear floor is ideal.
| Check | What we look for | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Ground space | A spot near the facade free of cars and obstacles | Your street photo |
| Overhead clearance | No cables or branches in the lifting path | A photo looking up the facade |
| Opening size | Width and height of the window or balcony | Your measurements |
| Item size | Length, depth and height of each piece | The store listing or your tape measure |
| Permission | Agreement from the building or neighbors if needed | You, via the administrator |
Reach and load
Capacity and reach are confirmed for each job
We do not publish a standard height or weight limit, because the real limit depends on the equipment available for your date, the distance from where it can stand to your window, and the angle it must work at. A sixth-floor balcony right above the curb is a different job from the same floor set back behind a front garden.
Send the photos and measurements from the card at the top of this page, and we will tell you plainly whether the lift can reach and carry your item. If it cannot, we say so before anything is booked, and we discuss alternatives such as dismantling or a different entrance.
If the item is still in the store, check with us before you buy. It is much easier to choose a sofa that fits than to find a way to lift one that does not.
Weather
Weather limits and rescheduling
External lifting depends on the weather. Strong wind makes a suspended load swing, and rain makes surfaces slippery and can soak upholstery or cardboard. Tbilisi can be very windy on some days, particularly on exposed hillsides and higher floors.
- On the morning of the job, the team checks the conditions at your address.
- If it is not safe, the lift is postponed rather than attempted.
- Wrap fabric items in plastic in case of light rain during carrying to and from the platform.
- Keep a second date in mind, especially in autumn and early spring.
If your move has a fixed deadline, such as a lease handover, tell us, and we will look at the plan together with the weather forecast.
The building
Building permission to check in advance
An external lift uses shared space: the street or yard, the facade and sometimes a neighbor's window line. Ask first.
- 1
Talk to the administrator
In new-builds, the building management may have rules about the facade and the yard. Ask whether external lifting is allowed and at what times.
- 2
Check with the residents' association
In older blocks, there may be no formal manager, but a residents' association or a senior neighbor who is consulted on shared matters.
- 3
Tell the neighbors below
The platform may pass their windows or balconies. A short message in advance avoids complaints on the day.
- 4
Ask your landlord
If you rent and a window must be removed, or the balcony railing is involved, get the landlord's agreement in writing.
- 5
Mention the street
If the equipment will partly block a road or pavement, raise it when we plan the job so the arrangements are clear.
Combining services
Combining the lift with a move or a delivery
An external lift is usually one part of a bigger job. During a full apartment move, only one or two pieces may need it while everything else goes by the stairs. When a store leaves a sofa at the door, our furniture delivery crew brings it to the platform and receives it inside. For a company relocation with large meeting tables, see office moving.
Because the lift has its own setup, it appears as a separate line in the quote. Our moving cost guide explains how it fits alongside the other factors, and the movers overview lists all services.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How high can your furniture lift reach?
It depends on the equipment, the distance from the facade and the angle. We confirm reach for your specific building after seeing photos.
Can you lift a piano or a very heavy wardrobe?
Possibly. Send the item's size, an estimate of its weight if you know it, and photos of the site, and we will say whether it is safe.
What if there are cables in front of my window?
Overhead cables can make external lifting impossible from that side. Sometimes another window or balcony on a different facade works instead.
Do I need permission from the building?
Often, yes, especially in new-builds with management. Check with the administrator or residents' association and your landlord before we book.
What happens if it is windy on the day?
The lift is postponed if conditions are not safe. We agree a new date with you rather than take a risk with your furniture or with people below.
Can the window be taken out to fit a sofa?
Sometimes, but that is your decision and your landlord's, and it needs someone qualified to remove and refit the frame. Arrange it before the lifting day.
Is the lift available on weekends?
Our hours include Saturday and Sunday. Availability of the equipment for a particular date is confirmed on the call.
Contact
Check if a lift works for your building
Send photos of the facade, the street and the items. We will tell you whether it is possible and what it costs.
Send a short description
Mention the floor, the item and whether it goes through a window or a balcony.
Next step
Stuck on the stairs?
Send us a photo of your facade and the item in English, and we will tell you if a lift can do it.