What You Need to Know Before Moving

Hackney is one of London's most varied boroughs in terms of housing stock.

You will find late Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Clapton, Stoke Newington, and Homerton. These streets are typically narrow, with cars parked on both sides. A large removal lorry cannot always access directly. Giant Van uses Luton vans and smaller vehicles that can navigate these roads without blocking through traffic.

In Dalston and Hackney Central you will find converted Victorian warehouses and purpose-built flats above retail units.

These often have no lift, and narrow internal staircases mean items need to be carried by hand. Our crews are trained to handle piano moves, large wardrobes, and heavy white goods on tight staircases. We carry full public liability insurance and goods in transit cover up to £50,000.

The London Fields and Broadway Market area has seen significant gentrification.

New-build apartment blocks here often have basement car parks or service entrances with height restrictions of around 2.1 metres. Giant Van checks building requirements with you before arrival. We confirm access points, service lift dimensions, and any booking requirements with building management so there are no surprises on moving day. Shoreditch borders the borough to the south. Commercial premises and live-work units here frequently require out-of-hours moves to avoid traffic and loading restrictions. We offer early morning starts from 7 am and can discuss weekend or evening availability.

Each neighbourhood within Hackney has its own quirks.

Knowing them in advance saves time and money on moving day.

Stoke Newington is densely parked and has a busy high street that narrows significantly near Church Street.

Early morning starts before 8am are recommended for moves on or near Church Street. Side streets such as Kynaston Road and Matthias Road are manageable with a medium-sized Luton van. Parking suspensions are almost always necessary here.

Dalston is one of Hackney's busiest areas.

Kingsland High Street is a Red Route, meaning stopping is not permitted at any time. Loading from Dalston properties often means using side streets. Our team checks the nearest suitable suspension point when planning your move. Dalston also has a high proportion of converted properties with shared hallways and no residents' lift, so budget for additional manpower if you are above the second floor.

Clapton, particularly Lower Clapton Road and Springfield, is slightly easier in terms of access.

Streets are wider on average. Many properties here are mid-terrace Victorian houses with bay windows and original sash windows. If you are moving oversized furniture, we assess door and staircase widths as part of our pre-move survey.

Hackney Wick borders the Olympic Park.

There is a growing number of warehouse conversions and artist studios here with industrial-sized goods lifts and loading bays. These moves are often straightforward for vehicle access but require booking the building's loading bay in advance. Giant Van will contact building management on your behalf.