Montreal’s plexes are famous for their outdoor spiral staircases and narrow interior stairs. They are beautiful, but they are not built for king box springs, large sofas or tall wardrobes. When a piece of furniture simply will not fit up the stairs, the solution is often to hoist it up the outside of the building and bring it in through a balcony door or a large window.

Déménagement NST Moving & Storage provides furniture hoisting across Montreal as part of moves or as a separate service. Our crew assesses the building, plans the lift, wraps the furniture and uses ropes and safety equipment to lift it carefully to the balcony or window.

Quick answer: NST hoists sofas, box springs and large furniture through balconies and windows in Montreal when stairs are too tight, after a safety check of the building. Call (514) 458-7786.

When hoisting is needed

How NST plans a hoist – NST Montreal movers

Box springs and mattresses that cannot bend around spiral stairs.
Large sofas and sectionals.
Tall wardrobes and armoires.
Dining tables that cannot be disassembled.
Furniture for upper floors of triplexes and walk-ups.

Is hoisting right for your building?

Hoisting depends on the building: the size of the balcony door or window, the strength of the balcony and railings, the space below and any obstacles such as wires, trees or awnings. Our crew checks these before confirming. If hoisting is not safe, we will tell you and look at alternatives such as disassembly.

How hoisting works

Assessment. We check the route, opening and anchor points.
Preparation. The furniture is wrapped and secured with padding.
Lift. The crew lifts the piece with ropes, guided from above and below.
Entry. The furniture is brought through the opening and placed.
Safety. The area below is kept clear throughout.

Hoisting costs

Factor	Why it matters
Size and weight	Heavier items need more crew.
Height	Second or third floor.
Access	Balcony size and obstacles.
Combined with a move	Included in your moving plan.

Areas we serve

We provide hoisting across Montreal, including the Plateau, Rosemont, Villeray, Verdun, Hochelaga, Mile End and Little Italy.

Why customers choose NST hoisting

Safety check before every lift.
Trained crew and equipment.
Furniture wrapped and protected.
Honest advice if hoisting is not safe.
See our apartment moving and heavy item moving services.

Why Montreal homes need hoisting

Montreal’s housing stock is unique in North America. Thousands of duplexes and triplexes, built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, have exterior staircases that curve, spiral and twist up to second and third floors. Inside, stairs are often narrow and steep with tight landings. These staircases are part of the city’s charm, but they were not designed for queen box springs, modern sectional sofas or tall wardrobes.

When furniture cannot fit up the stairs, there are three options: disassemble it, find another route or hoist it. Many pieces can be disassembled, but box springs, solid sofas and some wardrobes cannot. Hoisting the piece to a balcony or through a large window is often the only practical solution.

What our site check looks at

Before we agree to hoist anything, our crew assesses the building and the job carefully:

The opening. The balcony door or window must be large enough for the item, sometimes after removing a door or window sash.
The balcony. Its condition, railings and the space available to receive the item.
Anchor points. Safe points to secure ropes and control the load.
The route up. Obstacles such as electrical wires, trees, awnings, signs and neighbouring balconies.
The ground below. A clear, safe area for the crew and for pedestrians, kept free during the lift.
The item. Its size, weight and how it can be wrapped and secured.

If anything makes the lift unsafe, we will not hoist. Instead, we look for alternatives such as partial disassembly, a different entrance or advice on furniture that will fit.

How a hoist is carried out

The item is wrapped in blankets and secured with straps so it cannot slip. Ropes are attached and the crew is positioned at the top and bottom. The load is lifted slowly and steadily, guided away from the building and obstacles. At the top, crew members on the balcony or at the window receive the item and bring it inside. Throughout the lift, the area below is kept clear and the crew communicates constantly.

Items commonly hoisted

Box springs. Unlike mattresses, box springs cannot bend, which makes them the most commonly hoisted item in Montreal.

Sofas and sectionals. Large sofas with fixed arms and backs often cannot turn on spiral staircases.

Wardrobes and armoires. Tall pieces that do not disassemble.

Dining tables and buffets. Large solid pieces with fixed legs.

Pianos. Piano hoisting requires special planning and is handled by our piano movers when it is safe.

Hoisting during moves around July 1

Around July 1, hoisting is in high demand because many people move into plex apartments at the same time. If you know a piece will not fit up the stairs, tell us when you book your move so the crew can plan the hoist and bring the right equipment.

Alternatives to hoisting

Before buying large furniture for a walk-up apartment, measure the staircase, landings and doorways. Consider split box springs, sofas with removable arms or legs, modular sectionals and wardrobes that come apart. These choices can avoid hoisting altogether and make future moves easier. Our crew can advise you during your move.

Hoisting during moves vs one-time hoists

Hoisting is often part of a full move. When our crew moves you into a walk-up, they plan any hoists along with the rest of the move, bring the equipment and complete the hoist as part of the day. Hoisting can also be booked on its own, for example when a new sofa or box spring is delivered and will not fit up the stairs. In both cases, the same site check and safety rules apply.

Protecting your home and your neighbours

Hoisting takes place on the outside of the building, often close to neighbours’ balconies, windows and property. Our crew wraps furniture so it cannot scratch the facade, guides the load away from walls and railings and keeps the area below clear. We ask neighbours to keep balconies clear during the lift when needed, and we never hoist over people or parked cars. When the lift is finished, any protection is removed and the area is left as we found it.

Weather and hoisting

Rain, strong wind, snow and ice all affect hoisting safety. Wet ropes and slippery balconies increase risk, and wind can push a large flat item like a box spring off course. On moving day, the crew assesses the weather before starting. If conditions are unsafe, the hoist may be delayed until conditions improve, or another solution may be found. Safety always comes first.

Planning furniture purchases for walk-ups

If you live in a walk-up or plan to move into one, think about stairs before you buy large furniture. Split box springs are designed for tight staircases. Sofas with removable legs and arms, modular sectionals and flat-pack wardrobes are easier to bring in. Measuring your staircase, landings and doors before buying can save you the cost of hoisting or the disappointment of furniture that will not fit.

Furniture hoisting checklist

Measure the furniture and the balcony door or window opening.
Send photos of the building front, balcony and staircase.
Note any wires, trees or awnings near the balcony.
Clear the balcony of plants, furniture and decorations.
Let neighbours know about the hoist if their balconies are nearby.
Make sure the area below can be kept clear during the lift.
Book hoisting at the same time as your move if possible.

This information lets our crew assess the job in advance and plan a safe, efficient hoist.

Why choose a professional hoisting crew

Hoisting looks simple from the street, but it combines heavy loads, height and tight spaces. A professional crew knows how to wrap furniture so it does not scratch the facade, how to position ropes and people so the load stays under control, and when to say no because conditions are unsafe. Choosing experienced movers protects your furniture, your building and everyone nearby. It also saves time on moving day, because the hoist is planned in advance rather than improvised when a sofa gets stuck on the stairs.

Hoisting FAQs

Can any furniture be hoisted?

Most large furniture can be hoisted if the building and opening allow it safely.

Is hoisting safe?

We only hoist after checking the building, opening and area below.

Can you hoist to the third floor?

Often, yes, depending on the building.

What if hoisting is not possible?

We look at alternatives such as disassembly or a different route.

Do you remove windows?

Sometimes a window must be removed. We assess this during the site check.

How is hoisting priced?

By size, height and access, with a clear price agreed in advance.

Do you hoist box springs?

Yes. Box springs are the most common item we hoist in Montreal.

Can you hoist a sofa to a third-floor balcony?

Often, yes, after a site check confirms it is safe.

Do I need to remove a window?

Sometimes. We assess the opening during the site check and advise you.

Can you hoist in the rain?

Hoisting depends on conditions. In heavy rain, wind or ice, the hoist may be delayed for safety.

Can I book hoisting without a full move?

Yes. Hoisting can be booked on its own for deliveries.

Book furniture hoisting with NST

Send us photos of the furniture and the building. We will check if hoisting is possible and give you a clear price.

Call: (514) 458-7786 · Visit: 433 Jarry St W #201, Montreal, QC H3N 1E7

Get your free hoisting quote today.

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