Can the moving truck pull into my building's garage?
Usually not. A 26 ft moving truck is too tall for most residential garages. Plan for a curb loading zone or, in SF, a permit if there is no legal spot.
How tall is the moving truck?
It is a full-size 26 ft box truck, taller than nearly every residential garage entrance.
Can you send a van to fit my garage?
Our moves are done with the 26 ft truck, which loads from the street or a loading dock rather than inside a garage.
Can movers carry things through the garage to the elevator?
Yes. Walking furniture through the garage is often the shortest route, as long as the building allows it.
Probably not: the truck is too tall
Our 26-foot box truck stands far taller than the entrance of a typical residential garage. In David's experience, garage clearances in most buildings only suit something the size of a cargo van, and even a 12-foot rental truck is usually too high. So plan on the truck loading from the street or a loading dock.
Garage versus curb
| Option | Works for our truck? |
|---|---|
| Underground residential garage | Almost never, clearance is too low |
| Commercial loading dock | Often, if the building has one |
| Curb or loading zone near the entrance | Yes, the usual setup |
| Private driveway | Usually, if wide enough |
What to ask your building
- Is there a loading dock, and what is its height limit?
- Which entrance is closest to the service elevator?
- Is there a loading zone out front, and during what hours?
- Do they need a certificate of insurance before move day?
Pass the answers to David with your addresses. He uses them to brief the crew so the driver does not circle the block looking for the right door.
In San Francisco
Many city buildings have garages with ramps that could never take a box truck. If the street out front has no legal place to stop, a temporary permit can be processed through SFMTA, as explained in our SF parking permit guide. Our San Francisco movers page covers the rest of a city move, and the local moving page explains hourly pricing for the whole Bay Area.
The crew can still use the garage on foot. If the elevator is reached through the garage, they can wheel furniture from the curb down the ramp, which is often easier than going through a lobby.