Heavy Lifting in Grand Rapids, MI

Define the job before comparing offers

Tell the provider whether you need furniture rearranged inside the home, loading into a vehicle, unloading from a container, or removal to a disposal destination. Ask for separate prices if you are considering more than one option. Specify who supplies the truck or container and who handles driving.

Send photos of the item and the full carrying route. Include dimensions, a manufacturer’s weight if available, stairs, landings, door openings, and the distance from the entrance to the loading position. Describe tight turns and any steps between the sidewalk and the door. Ask the provider to assess the route before promising that an item will fit.

Identify pianos, safes, exercise machines, and other unusually heavy or awkward items by model when possible. Ask whether the provider accepts that specific item, which equipment the crew will bring, and whether the work needs an advance visit. Agree on disassembly and reassembly responsibilities before booking.

Compare the complete quote

Ask each provider to quote the same item list and route. Request the crew size, minimum charge, included time, additional-time rate, travel charges, and any separate equipment or hauling charges. For an hourly offer, ask when billing starts and stops and how the provider handles delays while waiting for access.

Request proof of insurance and ask how the provider handles damage to belongings, floors, walls, or railings. Confirm any exclusions and claim procedure in writing. Ask who will protect the carrying route and whether the crew needs you to remove doors, empty furniture, or prepare appliances before arrival.

Use item-specific written offers to build your labor budget. Keep city access and collection fees separate from the lifting quote. The city charges for meter reservations and bulk collection, so confirm who pays those charges before accepting an offer. [1] [3]

Arrange truck or container access

For a metered loading position, identify the preferred meter numbers and submit the city application at least two business days before the reservation. The city grants reservations on a first come, first serve basis. It requires the permit and a company logo in the vehicle’s front window, with the permit on the curbside. Confirm these display arrangements with the provider. [1]

For a POD or another short-term private use of the public right-of-way, follow the Temporary Occupancy Permit process. The city requires an insurance certificate with at least $500,000 liability coverage, naming the city as additionally insured and identifying the project location. Ask your insurance agent about that certificate before fixing the delivery date. [2]

The city says to expect a response within one to two business days on the occupancy application, and it may request revisions. Allow time for those revisions before scheduling delivery. The city waives traffic control plans for dumpster and POD requests; reserve affected meters through the separate meter application. [2]

Choose final placement or disposal

Give the crew an exact destination for each item: a named room, your vehicle, a container, or the curb. If you want private disposal, ask the provider to include transport, the disposal destination, and related charges in the written offer. Confirm appliance disconnection responsibilities before anyone starts moving it.

Grand Rapids lists bulk stickers at $40 and limits any one collected item to 6 feet by 5 feet. The city requires a sticker for each sectional couch section, while a mattress and box spring together require one sticker. It does not collect televisions at the curb. Check these restrictions before hiring someone to carry an unwanted item outside. [3]

Published city fees relevant to lifting arrangements

Choose the scope and access plan

Your hiring checklist

1. Photograph the items, entrances, stairs, landings, and loading position.
2. Measure items and narrow openings; share known weights and model numbers.
3. Confirm crew size, equipment, floor protection, and disassembly responsibilities.
4. Get the minimum charge, additional-time terms, travel, and hauling charges in writing.
5. Assign responsibility for parking arrangements and any container permit paperwork.
6. Agree on each item’s destination and who handles appliance preparation.
7. Clear the carrying route and keep children and pets away from the work area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a lifting quote include a truck?

Ask the provider to state that in writing. Specify whether you need labor at one address, transport between addresses, or disposal. Confirm who supplies and drives the vehicle and whether loading equipment comes with the offer.

Does reserving meters cover a moving POD?

The city requires a Temporary Occupancy Permit for a POD in the public right-of-way. You must also reserve meters within the job site through the separate meter-reservation process. Coordinate both before scheduling container placement. [1] [2]

Can the crew carry an old refrigerator to the curb?

First confirm that it meets the city’s collection size limit and arrange the required collection payment. The city requires refrigerator and freezer doors to be removed. Agree with the provider who handles preparation and door removal before the lifting appointment. [3]

What should I do if the item may not fit through the stairs?

Send measurements and photos before accepting an offer. Ask the provider to assess the item, turns, and landing space, and to describe any proposed disassembly. Request an advance visit if the provider cannot confirm a workable route from that information.