When Furniture Won't Fit the Stairs: Crane (Unic) Lifting Guide

How to handle large appliances and furniture that won't fit through stairs in a house. Crane truck lifting process, cost, and prep checklist.

When Large Items Won't Fit Through the Stairs

Even in new or existing detached houses, large refrigerators, washers, sofas, beds, dressers, and pianos sometimes cannot be carried up to the 2nd or 3rd floor via stairs. Forcing items up by hand can damage the furniture, walls, handrails, or injure workers. Choosing the right delivery method from the start is essential.

Common Reasons Stair Delivery Fails

Narrow Stairs or Landings

Typical home stairs are 75–90cm wide. Large furniture often can't turn on the landing or clear tight corners. U-shaped switchback stairs are especially prone to getting stuck.

Handrails and Walls

With handrails on both sides or narrow hallways, items cannot be tilted or rotated. Check whether handrails can be temporarily removed.

Furniture Size and Shape

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Refrigerators: Over 70cm wide / 180cm tall often won't fit turning stairs.

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3-seater or L-shaped sofas: Over 2m long can jam at landings.

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Double/queen pocket-coil mattresses: Cannot be bent.

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Pianos: Over 100kg — stair carrying is dangerous.

Three Main Solutions

1. Disassembly

Bed frames, dressers, and modular furniture can be taken apart to pass through. Manufacturer warranties may be voided on reassembly. Refrigerators and washers cannot be disassembled.

2. Hand Lifting via Window/Balcony

Two or three workers use ropes to lift items through a window or balcony. Works up to the 2nd floor and roughly 80kg. Typical cost: ¥10,000–30,000.

3. Crane Truck (Unic) Lifting

For heavy items, 3rd-floor deliveries, or narrow windows, a crane-mounted truck (Unic) is used. This is different from a power gate truck — confirm with your mover.

Crane Delivery Process

1. Site survey: Check road width, overhead wires, neighboring distance.

2. Road use permit: If public road occupation is needed, apply at the local police station (takes 7–10 days).

3. On the day: Park truck, extend outriggers, lift item via crane arm through balcony/window.

4. Interior placement: 2–3 staff receive and install inside.

Typical Costs

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Lifting fee: ¥20,000–50,000 per item

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Unic truck dispatch: ¥10,000–30,000

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Road permit proxy: ¥5,000–10,000

Expect ¥30,000–80,000 total. Pianos or 3rd-floor deliveries can exceed ¥100,000.

Pre-Check Points

Road Conditions

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Space to park the 4t crane truck

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No power lines, trees, or obstacles in the arm's swing radius

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Private roads may require neighbor consent

Building Structure

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Balcony rail height (can the item clear it?)

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Sliding window opening width (with packing material)

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Whether sashes or screens can be removed

Weather and Schedule

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Crane work is canceled in strong winds or heavy rain. Set a backup day.

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Book 2+ weeks ahead in peak season (Mar–Apr).

About Corocoro Transport

We specialize in single-person moves and do not handle crane lifting or Unic truck dispatch. For houses needing crane delivery of large items, please use a specialist or major moving company. For single-person loads that fit through stairs, feel free to request a LINE quote.

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