01Separate advance preparation from work on the day
Sorting possessions, packing books and preparing appliances normally begin before the van arrives. Write down what you will do yourself and what you want to arrange: dismantling, protective wrapping, carrying or assembly. If packing will still be unfinished, the schedule needs to allow for it. Ask the provider to confirm when chargeable time starts and ends. The sequence described here is a planning aid, not a tariff or a statement of billing terms.
02Break the job into five connected stages
First comes arrival and access: keys, open entrances and the agreed stopping place. Second comes any remaining preparation, carrying, loading and securing the load. Third is the drive between addresses. Fourth is unloading and carrying items into the designated rooms. Fifth is any pre-arranged assembly, checking the inventory and handover. With several trips, loading, travel and unloading repeat. A navigation app estimates the driving stage, not the time required to move your home.
03Describe the load rather than just the apartment
Provide a box count and approximate sizes, a list of large furniture and photos of every room. Flag heavy, fragile or awkward items. State which wardrobes will be dismantled, whether a cellar is included and whether another collection stop is needed. A studio with a large book collection may need a different plan from a sparsely furnished larger apartment. The actual inventory helps establish vehicle capacity and likely trip count; the number of rooms cannot do that on its own.
04Check access at both ends of the journey
For each address, note the floor, steps before the lift, lift-door and cabin dimensions, load limit, tight corners and distance from the van to the entrance. Confirm access hours and who will open gates or barriers. In Prague, even a short journey can involve awkward courtyards or a long carrying distance. Plan a suitable permitted stopping place in advance. An empty pavement does not automatically provide somewhere a van can park.
05Compare two illustrative scenarios
In scenario A, everything is packed, the large wardrobe is dismantled, suitable lifts are available at both addresses and one trip is enough. In scenario B, packing is unfinished, the wardrobe will not fit through a doorway, some items must use the stairs and a second trip is needed. The second plan adds specific tasks and another journey even though it is the same apartment. These are explanatory examples, not measured customer jobs. A useful estimate states its assumptions and identifies changes that would require a revised plan.
06Allow contingency for the things you cannot yet confirm
Ask for a stage-by-stage estimate and establish which details have been checked. An unknown box count, an untested lift or uncertain vehicle access makes the plan less predictable. Agree how delays will be handled and have a contact person available at each address. Avoid scheduling a fixed key handover, technician visit or other firm appointment immediately after the most optimistic finish. Choose the contingency around the actual uncertainties rather than relying on a universal percentage.
07Send a useful brief for your estimate
Include the date and time restrictions; collection and delivery addresses; furniture list and box count; photos; floors and lifts; the route from the vehicle; work already completed and assistance required; anyone who can help; and extra stops. Ask for confirmation of the crew, expected trips and included tasks. If you add furniture after receiving the estimate or discover that a lift is unavailable, tell the provider before dispatch so the schedule and quote can be reviewed.
08Prepare efficiently without rushing unsafe work
Label boxes by destination room, clear the routes and keep keys and a phone available. Decide where large furniture belongs to avoid carrying it twice. Disconnect appliances and dismantle furniture only where you can do so safely or have arranged appropriate help. Check item count and condition at handover. Send Nábytkové taxi your details for a time and price assessment: vehicle availability, assistance and price are confirmed before the job.
Frequently asked questions
Can moving time be estimated from apartment size alone?
Not reliably. The load, readiness, access at both addresses, crew and trip count matter. Apartment size is only supporting information.
Does a short drive mean a quick move?
It only shortens one stage. Carrying, loading, securing, unloading and assembly must be assessed separately.
Will twice as many movers finish twice as quickly?
Not necessarily. A narrow staircase, lift or sequential assembly tasks can limit simultaneous work. The crew should suit the load and access conditions.
