A refrigerator or other large appliance can fit in a room but still get stuck on the way there. Before arranging delivery, measure the item and the full route from the building entrance to its final spot. Check door openings, hallways, stairs, and tight turns, not just the main doorway. A few careful measurements can reveal access problems early and help you decide whether to remove a door, choose another route, or arrange special handling.
Measure the Appliance
Find the appliance’s height, width, and depth in the manufacturer’s specifications, then verify them on the actual unit if possible. Include handles, hinges, feet, and any protruding controls. Measure with doors closed, and check whether the doors or handles can be removed safely to reduce the overall dimensions.
Consider how the appliance will be carried. A delivery team may need to tilt or rotate it, which changes the space it needs. Ask the seller or courier about required clearance and whether the appliance must remain upright. For a refrigerator, also confirm whether shelves and drawers should be secured or removed before transport.
Check Doors and Hallways
Measure each doorway’s clear opening, not the frame’s outside dimensions. Measure width between the narrowest points, such as the doorstop or hardware, and height from the floor to the lowest obstruction. Include storm doors, security gates, and any interior doors along the route. Note doors that open into the path and may need to be removed.
Measure hallway width at its narrowest point and look for obstacles such as radiators, handrails, cabinets, light fixtures, and low ceilings. At turns, check the available width and depth around the corner. A straight hallway measurement alone may not show whether the appliance can pivot through a tight bend.
Measure Stairs and Landings
For stairs, measure the clear width between walls or railings, the ceiling height above the steps, and the landing dimensions at each turn. Check for low beams, sloped ceilings, light fixtures, and railings that reduce usable space. Take measurements at the tightest points rather than assuming every step and landing is identical.
Photograph staircases and narrow turns, and share the images and measurements with the delivery provider before the scheduled delivery. Mention the floor, number of flights, elevator availability, and any restrictions on using common areas. If an elevator is part of the route, measure its door opening and interior dimensions, including depth and height.
Compare the Route and Plan Ahead
Compare the appliance’s dimensions with every opening and turning area on the route. Leave room for the team to hold and angle the item; a match on paper may still be too close if the route has a sharp turn or uneven floor. Check the final location, too, including space to connect the appliance and open its doors.
If a measurement is tight, contact the seller or courier before delivery day. Ask whether a different route, temporary door removal, or another delivery method is appropriate, and confirm who is responsible for any disassembly. Brooklyn Big Haul can discuss access details for oversized deliveries; provide accurate measurements and photos when asking about the route.
Measure the appliance, every doorway, hallway, stairwell, landing, and elevator on the planned route. Record the narrowest points and share them with your delivery provider before scheduling. Early checks make it easier to resolve access issues and prepare the space—contact a courier to discuss your measurements and delivery route.