With offices in Boston (MA) and Hyattsville (MD), Olympia Moving has to contend with a lot of tight stairways and small spaces. The practical reality is that sometimes larger pieces simply will not fit, and therefore hoisting and/or craning is required.
Hoisting: “Hoisting” or “hand-hoisting” is essentially a human crane. When an item will not fit into a given space, it can be brought in or out through a window or over a balcony. Typically a minimum of 3 movers is required to safely conduct a hand-hoist. Two movers will be responsible for raising or lowering the piece, and one mover with a “tether strap” is responsible for safely guiding the piece away from any obstacles. To be clear, this is a delicate procedure that requires significant training and should NEVER be attempted except by a professional mover.
Craning: If a piece is too heavy (a piano) or cannot be safely hoisted, a crane will be used. Depending upon the access on your street, a permit or police detail is often required. Special training in prepping and rigging is necessary in order to become proficient in craning pieces of any size.
If you believe that your move requires a hand-hoist or a crane, please notify Olympia’s customer service team as soon as possible so that the appropriate arrangements can be made.