A villa move survey is a pre-move site inspection where professional villa movers measure CBM volume, access dimensions, carry distance, staircase logistics, speciality packing needs, and community move permissions to produce an accurate scope and a stable quotation.
What is a villa move survey?
A villa move survey is a structured inspection of a villa’s contents and access conditions used to calculate CBM, crew size, truck size, packing days, and handling controls. The survey converts “rooms and furniture” into measurable logistics variables.
Why do professional movers require a pre-move survey for villas?
Professional movers require a pre-move survey for villas because villas contain more zones, more access constraints, and more high-value items than apartments, which increases the risk of under-sizing trucks and under-scheduling labour. The survey prevents these failure modes:
- Underestimated CBM and carton count
- Incomplete packing material allocation
- Entry-point fit failures for large items
- Staircase bottlenecks for heavy items
- Missed community access approvals and time windows
- Missing crating requirements for fragile or high-value items
What do professional villa movers measure first during a survey?
Professional villa movers measure the route from street to rooms because access constraints determine how fast items can move and which equipment is required. The access inspection is the first control because it sets the move’s throughput ceiling.
Checklist: What a professional villa move survey measures
1) Street access and truck staging
Truck staging is measured because distance from truck to villa entry converts into labour hours. Movers measure:
- Parking feasibility for closed trucks and support vehicles
- Turning radius constraints on the approach road
- Gate clearance constraints for truck entry
- Staging zone position for carton accumulation
Measured output: carry distance category (short carry vs long carry) and truck parking plan.
2) Entry-point audit for large furniture fit
Entry points are measured because oversized items fail first at gates, doors, and corridors. Movers measure:
- Main gate width and height
- Front door width and height
- Internal corridor width
- Turn angles at foyers and landings
- Balconies and window openings for external hoisting
Measured output: large-item movement strategy per item.
Which large-item decisions depend on entry-point measurements?
Entry-point measurements determine whether a mover uses tilt, partial dismantle, full dismantle, or external hoisting. Large-item categories include:
- Sectional sofas
- King beds and headboards
- Dining tables with stone or glass tops
- Wardrobes and display cabinets
- Large mirrors and framed artwork
3) Vertical logistics assessment for multi-floor villas
Vertical logistics are measured because stairs reduce throughput and increase safety risk for heavy items. Movers measure:
- Staircase width
- Landing depth and turning clearance
- Handrail constraints and wall vulnerability points
- Floor-to-floor movement paths for bulky items
Measured output: internal stair plan or external hoist plan.
When do movers plan external hoisting?
Movers plan external hoisting when staircases are narrow, turning clearances fail, or item weight exceeds safe stair movement. External hoisting targets:
- Upper-floor bedrooms and balconies
- Large wardrobes and bulky sofas
- Heavy safes and commercial-grade items
4) Community restrictions and move permissions
Community restrictions are measured because truck entry depends on approvals and time windows in gated areas. Movers verify:
- Gate pass requirements
- NOC or move permission requirements
- Permitted loading hours
- Weekend and holiday restrictions
- Vehicle height restrictions under arches and trees
Measured output: compliance checklist with submission timelines.
5) Room-by-room inventory and CBM audit
A CBM audit is performed because CBM defines truck size, crew size, and packing material quantity. Movers record:
- Room inventory by category (beds, cabinets, appliances, cartons)
- Oversized pieces that affect truck loading geometry
- Existing boxed items versus loose items
- “Deep storage” zones that customers forget to disclose
Deep storage zones include:
- Under-stair storage
- Attics or loft areas
- Built-in cabinets and concealed closets
- Store rooms and maid rooms
Measured output: CBM estimate, carton forecast, and packing-day estimate.
6) Fragile packing requirements
Fragile packing is measured because breakable density controls packing time and box specification. Movers identify:
- Glassware and tableware sets
- Artwork and framed prints
- Decorative items with irregular shapes
- High-fragility kitchen items
Packing specification examples:
- Dish-pack boxes for plates and glassware
- Double-wall cartons for high-weight items
- Edge guards and foam layers for glass surfaces
Measured output: fragile packing volume and material list.
7) Home technology and sensitive electronics
Home technology is measured because sensitive electronics require anti-impact packing and defined orientation. Movers identify:
- iMacs and large monitors
- NAS devices and servers
- Network equipment and smart-home hubs
- CCTV recorders and control panels
Measured output: tech packing plan and “carry by hand” list.
8) High-value and specialty item assessment
High-value items are assessed because insurance, crating, and handling method depend on declared value and fragility. Movers identify:
- Pianos and musical instruments
- Safes and vault boxes
- Antiques and collector items
- High-value art pieces
Measured output: white-glove handling plan and crating decision.
When do movers specify custom timber crating?
Custom timber crating is specified when the item has high fragility, high replacement cost, or geometry that fails standard cartons. Typical crating items:
- Chandeliers
- Large mirrors
- Museum-grade artwork
- Marble and glass tabletops
9) Outdoor, garden, and garage inventory
Outdoor and garage inventory is measured because these zones create irregular packing and compliance constraints. Movers record:
- Patio furniture sets and umbrellas
- BBQ equipment and outdoor kitchen items
- Stone planters and statues
- Trampolines, swing sets, and recreational gear
- Tool benches, shelving, and boxed hardware
Measured output: outdoor packing batch and loading sequence.
Which garage items require customer removal before move day?
Hazardous materials require customer removal because movers do not transport restricted or hazardous items. Examples:
- Paints and solvents
- Oils and fuel containers
- Gas cylinders
10) Technical disconnection and reassembly requirements
Disconnection and reassembly are measured because these tasks require specialised labour and time slots. Movers identify:
- Wardrobe dismantle and reassembly scope
- Chandelier removal and installation scope
- TV wall-mount removal and installation scope
- Washing machine and refrigerator disconnection scope
Measured output: specialist allocation plan (carpentry, electrical, plumbing coordination).
Table: Villa move survey measurements and why each measurement exists
This table defines each measurement category and the operational outcome it controls.
| Survey measurement | What is measured | Operational outcome |
| Truck staging | Parking, turning, access | Truck plan and carry distance category |
| Entry points | Gate and door dimensions, corridor widths | Large-item fit strategy |
| Vertical logistics | Stair width, landing clearance | Stair plan or external hoist plan |
| Community rules | Permits, loading hours, vehicle limits | Access compliance timeline |
| CBM audit | Room inventory and deep storage zones | Truck size, crew size, packing days |
| Fragiles | Breakable density and item types | Packing materials and time |
| Electronics | Sensitive devices and orientation | Tech-crate plan and handling rules |
| Specialty items | Pianos, safes, high-value art | White-glove plan and crating |
| Outdoor/garage | Irregular items and prohibited materials | Outdoor batch plan and exclusions |
| Disconnection | Fixtures and appliances | Specialist allocation and sequencing |
Table outro: A villa move survey produces a measurable plan that stabilises cost and reduces day-of-move disruptions.
How to prepare a villa for survey day
What should a villa owner do before the surveyor arrives?
A villa owner prepares the survey by reducing unknown inventory and exposing storage zones so CBM and packing scope remain accurate. Use these actions:
- Declutter decision
- Separate “move” items from “dispose” items to reduce CBM inflation.
- Open all storage zones
- Open wardrobes, store rooms, garage shelves, and under-stair compartments.
- Tag fragiles and pre-existing damage
- Identify cracked glass, chipped frames, and delicate finishes for condition notes.
- List specialty items
- Provide a list of safes, pianos, chandeliers, gym equipment, and antiques.
Why skipping a villa survey increases cost and damage risk
Skipping a villa survey increases risk because the mover estimates without verified CBM, access dimensions, and specialty handling needs. The predictable outcomes are:
- Under-sized truck allocation
- Under-sized crew allocation
- Missing crating and fragile materials
- Delayed access approvals
- Quote revisions on move day
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a villa move survey and why is it important?
A villa move survey is a pre-move inspection that measures CBM, access dimensions, logistics constraints, and specialty packing needs to produce an accurate scope and a stable quote.
Is a pre-move survey mandatory for villa moves in the UAE?
A pre-move survey is not a legal requirement, but professional villa movers use it as an operational requirement for accurate CBM, truck sizing, and risk control.
How long does a villa move survey take?
A villa move survey often takes 30–90 minutes depending on villa size, number of floors, and number of storage zones and specialty items.
Is the villa move survey free of charge?
Many villa movers provide surveys as part of quotation workflow, but pricing policy varies by mover and by distance.
Can a villa move survey be done by video call?
A villa move survey can be done by video call when the customer shows each room, storage zone, outdoor area, and specialty item with clear measurements where required.
Can an insurance quote be issued without a survey?
An insurance quote can be requested without a survey, but a villa move scope remains unreliable without CBM and specialty item declaration, which increases dispute risk during claims assessment.
