Get the move-in packet the day you sign
Ask the leasing office or concierge for the move-in rules as soon as you sign. Most downtown buildings have a written packet that covers allowed move days and hours, how to book the freight elevator and the loading dock, insurance requirements for the movers, any resident deposit and the route the crew must take through the building.
Read it carefully and send a copy to your movers. Many problems on move day come from rules nobody read: a dock that closes at four, an elevator that needs a building engineer, or a requirement that the movers arrive with floor protection for the lobby.
The certificate of insurance
Almost every downtown tower requires a certificate of insurance from the moving company before the move, often naming the building owner and the management company as additional insured. The packet will list the exact wording and the coverage amounts. Send those details to your movers early, because a certificate with the wrong names can mean the concierge turns the crew away at the door.
If you are moving out of one tower and into another, both buildings will want their own certificate. Ask for both packets at the same time.
Book the freight elevator first
In a busy building, the freight elevator is the scarcest resource. Slots at the end of the month and on weekends fill weeks ahead. Book the elevator before you book anything else, and choose the movers' arrival time around it.
Most bookings are for a block of a few hours. A good crew is sized to finish inside that block, with time to spare. If the move runs over, the next resident may have the elevator, so planning matters more than speed on the day.
Loading docks and truck height
Downtown buildings usually have a loading dock or a marked loading zone. Some docks have height limits that keep large trucks out, and some are shared with commercial tenants and deliveries. Ask the building for the dock clearance and the dock hours, and pass both to your movers so they bring a truck that fits.
Plan around events
Downtown traffic changes with the calendar. Sharks games and concerts at SAP Center, conventions, festivals in the downtown parks and San Jose State move-in and move-out weekends all affect streets and parking. Check what is happening on your date before you lock it in, especially for an evening move.
Why downtown towers are shorter than you might expect
Downtown San Jose sits under the flight path into the airport, and building heights are limited because of it. That is why the skyline is lower than in San Francisco, and why many residential towers here are mid-rise rather than very tall. For movers, it means more buildings with a single freight elevator rather than several.
Packing for an elevator move
Elevator moves reward good packing. Use a few standard box sizes so boxes stack well on a dolly, keep box weight manageable and label every box with the room it goes to. Disassemble what you can before the day and keep hardware in labeled bags. The less the crew has to sort in the hallway, the faster each elevator trip goes.
The first night in the new apartment
Pack a bag with what you need for the first night and morning: chargers, toiletries, medication, a change of clothes and the key fob. Ask the crew to set up the bed first. Many buildings handle trash and recycling through chutes or a shared room, so ask where boxes and packing paper should go before you start unpacking.
Getting help
If you want the move handled from the paperwork to the last box, our San Jose apartment movers send the certificate, plan the crew around your elevator window and protect the lobby and hallways. For moves that also need packing, see our packing services.
Moving out of a downtown tower
Move-outs follow the same rules as move-ins: the freight elevator, the dock, the certificate and the hours. Book them as soon as you give notice. Many buildings also require the unit to be empty and clean by a certain time, so schedule cleaning for right after the movers leave, and return fobs, garage remotes and parking passes on time to protect your deposit.
Furniture that will not fit the elevator
Large sectional sofas, tall wardrobes and long dining tables sometimes do not fit in a freight elevator, especially in older buildings. Measure the elevator door, the cab depth and the diagonal, and compare them with your largest pieces. If something is close, plan to take it apart, or consider whether it is worth bringing at all.
Parking for you and your helpers
Downtown street parking is limited and metered, and garages may need a guest pass. If friends or family are helping, tell them where to park before the day, so the loading area stays clear for the truck. Do not plan to park your own car in the loading zone.
After the move
Once the boxes are in, ask the concierge where to put flattened boxes and packing paper; many buildings have a specific day or room for them. Register for package delivery, check that your fob works on every door you need and introduce yourself to the front desk. It makes the first weeks in the building much easier.