The Miami High-Rise Moving Playbook: COIs, Elevators & HOA Rules Explained
Introduction
Moving into a single-family home in the suburbs is one thing; moving into a luxury high-rise in Brickell, Downtown, or Edgewater is an entirely different sport. While you might be dreaming of your new skyline views, the logistics of getting your furniture up 40 floors can be a nightmare if you aren't prepared.
The reality of Miami real estate is that building management companies hold the keys—literally. If your movers don't have the right paperwork, the correct insurance, or the proper floor protection, security will turn them away at the gate.
At Brickell Moving and Packing, we perform high-rise moves daily. We’ve compiled this playbook to help you navigate the strict rules of Miami condo living so your move-in day is memorable for the right reasons.
What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and Why Do You Need It?
If you take nothing else from this article, remember this acronym: COI.
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document that proves your moving company carries liability insurance. High-rise buildings in Miami generally require this to protect themselves. If a mover scratches the marble in the lobby or dents the service elevator, the building wants a guarantee that the moving company’s insurance will cover the repairs, not the condo association.
The "Sample COI" Requirement: Most building management offices will send you a "Sample COI" that lists exactly how they want to be named as a certificate holder. You simply forward this to us, and our team handles the rest.
The Brickell Moving Difference: We know the drill. We are fully licensed and insured, and we generate COIs for our clients quickly and correctly. We send them directly to your building management for approval before move day, ensuring zero hiccups when the truck arrives.
The Service Elevator Shuffle: Timing is Everything
In a house, you can move until midnight if you want. In a Miami high-rise, you live by the building's clock.
Almost every condo building in South Florida restricts moving hours, typically from Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Weekend moves are rare and often prohibited.
Why this matters:
Strict Windows: You aren’t just booking a moving truck; you are booking a time slot for the service elevator. These are usually 4-hour windows (e.g., 9 AM - 1 PM or 1 PM - 5 PM).
The Penalty: If your movers are slow or inexperienced and run past 5:00 PM, the building may shut down the elevator, leaving half your furniture in the truck overnight.
Booking Early: Service elevators can be booked out weeks in advance, especially at the end of the month. Call your management office the moment you have a closing date.
Navigating HOA Rules: Deposits and Floor Protection
Your building management has one goal: keep the building looking pristine. This means they are very particular about how furniture is moved through common areas.
Masonite is Mandatory: Most luxury buildings in Miami require movers to lay down "Masonite" (hardboard protection) in the hallways from the service elevator to your front door. If your movers show up with just a few blankets, they won't be let up. Note: We bring Masonite as standard equipment for all high-rise moves.
The Move-In Deposit: Be prepared to write a check to your HOA for a "common area deposit" (often $500 - $1,000). This is refundable, provided no damage is done to the hallways or elevators.
The Loading Dock: Height & Space Restrictions
Downtown Miami and Brickell were not originally designed for massive 18-wheeler moving trucks. Many modern buildings have loading docks with strict height clearances or tight turning radii.
If you hire a national van line with a massive semi-truck, they might not fit in your building's dock. This leads to "shuttle fees," where they have to offload everything onto a smaller truck just to get into the building. As local specialists, we operate a fleet of trucks specifically sized to navigate Miami’s urban loading docks efficiently.
Your High-Rise Moving Checklist
To ensure you don’t get turned away at the gate, follow this timeline:
3 Weeks Before: Contact your building management to reserve the service elevator. Ask for their "Move-In Packet" and "Sample COI."
2 Weeks Before: Forward the Sample COI to Brickell Moving and Packing. We will generate the document and send it back to management for approval.
1 Week Before: Confirm with management that they have received and approved the COI. Ask if you need to provide a damage deposit check on moving day.
Moving Day: ensure security knows the movers are coming so they can open the loading dock immediately.
Conclusion: Hire the High-Rise Specialists
Moving into a condo isn't just about heavy lifting; it's about logistical coordination. You need a moving company that speaks the language of property managers and understands the strict requirements of Miami HOAs.
Don't let a missing document or a missed elevator window stall your move. Contact Brickell Moving and Packing today—we are Miami's high-rise specialists, and we’re ready to get you settled into your new view stress-free.
