Why hire a lifting crane?
Using facade elevators is the smartest option for moves in high floors or buildings with complicated access. Protects both your furniture and the community common areas.
We have different types of furniture lifts adaptable to narrow streets, interior patios or large avenues. We also rent the service with operator for individuals or companies.
Zero Damage
By avoiding narrow passage areas, risks of damage to furniture and building (walls, railings, elevator) are eliminated.
Time Saving
What would take hours by stairs is done in minutes by facade. Optimizes operator time and reduces costs.
Permit Management
We take care of processing the necessary public thoroughfare occupation permits with your local City Council.
History of Furniture Hoists
Furniture hoists were born in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Dutch houses, built on swampy ground, had narrow and steep stairs to save space. The hooks still seen on Amsterdam facades were used to hoist goods and furniture with manual pulleys.
In Barcelona, furniture hoist service became popular in the 60s-70s with massive building construction in the Eixample and periphery. The narrow stairs of many blocks made it impossible to lift the new sofas and wardrobes of the development era.
Technology evolved from manual pulleys to hydraulic systems in the 80s, and to motorized articulated cranes in the 90s. Today, modern cranes are compact, quiet and can reach up to 30 meters with millimetric precision.
Barcelona is one of the European cities with highest demand for this service due to the combination of old buildings with narrow stairs, small apartments with large furniture, and the boom of jacuzzis and spas in penthouses and terraces.
Crane Service Logistics
The operation begins with a prior evaluation: floor height, type of opening (balcony, window, terrace), furniture dimensions, presence of electrical cables or trees, and available street space to install the crane.
On service day, the crane truck arrives and operators secure the pedestrian area with barriers and signage. The crane deploys and stabilizes with hydraulic legs before starting to operate.
Furniture is secured on the platform with certified straps. One operator controls the crane from below while another waits at the balcony or window to receive the load. Communication is constant via walkie-talkie.
In Barcelona, the main challenges are: narrow old town streets, electrical lines in old neighborhoods, trees on residential streets, and traffic coordination on main roads.
Permits and Regulations in Barcelona
Barcelona City Council requires applying for a public road occupation permit to install furniture hoists. The process is done online through the municipal procedures portal and requires 3-5 business days.
Required documentation includes: applicant identification, exact intervention address, crane location plan, estimated duration and valid civil liability insurance policy.
Fees vary by district and occupation time. In central areas (Ciutat Vella, Eixample) fees are higher than in peripheral districts. There are also differences between weekdays and weekends.
Night operation (21:00-8:00) is prohibited without special authorization. Sundays and holidays require urgency justification. Non-compliance can result in fines up to €3,000.
Tips for Your Crane Service
Book in advance
Permits take 3-5 days. If you have a fixed moving date, contact us at least a week ahead.
Measure before deciding
Measure the furniture and the opening it will enter through. Sometimes a window looks big but isn't enough.
Prepare the access
Remove curtains, awnings and flower pots from the balcony or window. Clear the interior to facilitate furniture entry.
Inform neighbors
Although not mandatory, notifying avoids surprises. Noise is minimal but the crane on the street draws attention.
Have parking alternative
On service day there will be a reserved zone for the crane. If you have a car parked in that area, move it the day before.
Check the weather
With strong wind or rain operation isn't possible. Have flexibility in case of postponement.
Group the pieces
If you have several pieces to lift, it's more economical to do everything together than on separate days.
Document prior condition
Take photos of furniture and facade before service. Useful in case of any incident.
The Service in Numbers
Important to Know
- Not all streets allow crane installation: minimum 3m clear width
- Electrical cables may prevent operation on some facades
- Client is responsible for having sufficient opening prepared
- Adverse weather conditions may postpone service
- Municipal permit is mandatory and has additional cost
- Furniture with glass or mirrors requires prior protection
Frequently Asked Questions about Furniture Hoist
Everything you need to know about the facade furniture lifting service
How the Furniture Hoist Service Works
Visualize the complete process of facade furniture lifting