A moving survey is most useful when the person assessing the job can see the work at both ends. In Dhaka, two apartments with the same number of rooms may have different stairs, lift sizes, parking rules and loading distances. Prepare those details before asking for a written quotation. A survey request is free, but submitting it does not confirm an appointment; the team confirms a suitable time with you.
Start with an inventory that someone else can understand
Walk through every room and list furniture, appliances and groups of cartons. Count beds, wardrobes, sofas, dining chairs, refrigerators and washing machines individually. Note wall-mounted televisions, mirrors, glass cabinets and unusually heavy pieces. Do not describe a full apartment only as “two bedrooms”: the number of rooms does not show how much needs to be handled.
Write down what will stay, what will be donated and what is going to a different address. If a wardrobe is built in, tell the assessor rather than including it automatically in the moving list. Photograph large pieces with nearby door frames for scale when a video assessment is used. Keep sensitive documents and valuables off public photos.
Check pickup and destination separately
At both addresses, write the floor number, whether a usable goods lift exists and whether large furniture fits inside it. A passenger lift that takes cartons but not a sofa is a different access condition from a lift suitable for furniture. Check stair width and turns, especially in older buildings. Tell the team about a long corridor, a shared gate, a basement loading dock or a carry between the entrance and the vehicle.
Give the complete destination address even if you have not moved in yet. Ask the new building about its moving hours and parking rules. If you cannot access the destination before the survey, say which details are unconfirmed and send a short video or measurements later. An assessor should not silently assume the two buildings have the same access.
Ask the buildings about permissions
Management may require advance notice, a lift booking, protective covering, a security form or a refundable deposit. These are building rules, not automatically a mover’s fee. Ask who arranges each item, what time loading is permitted and where a vehicle may wait. Get the rule in writing if possible. Our apartment rules guide provides a separate checklist for this conversation.
Identify road and vehicle constraints
Point out a narrow lane, low gate, overhead cable, restricted stopping area or difficult turn at either address. Send the exact building entrance rather than only a neighbourhood name. The moving team must assess the load and route together before selecting a vehicle or deciding whether separate carrying or additional trips may be needed. This guide does not prescribe a truck size from room count.
Decide what help you actually need
Separate full packing, fragile-item packing, loading and transport from dismantling and reassembly. List beds, wardrobes and furniture requiring tools. AC disconnection or refitting, water filters, geysers and electrical work should be requested explicitly so qualified technical help can be assessed and quoted separately. Do not assume these tasks are included in general moving labour.
Tell the assessor if you will pack clothes and books yourself, or if the moving team should bring cartons and protective materials. Mark anything fragile, unusually large or difficult to replace. If you have a piano or another specialist item, ask for an expert assessment; a standard household quotation should not silently include it.
Discuss the date and the handover plan
Share your preferred moving date, the time the old home must be empty and when the new home can accept deliveries. A preferred date is a request until the company confirms availability and scope. Identify one family contact who can answer questions about furniture placement and one person who can authorize any agreed change on moving day.
Review the written quotation after the survey
Check that it names the pickup and delivery addresses, major inventory, floors and lift/access conditions. It should state which packing materials, handling, transport, dismantling and technical services are included or excluded. Ask how a newly discovered item or changed address will be assessed before work starts. Compare written scopes rather than comparing totals in isolation; cost factors explain why two jobs may differ without suggesting a rate.
For a straightforward move, send the information through the quotation request. If inventory or access needs inspection, request a free survey. Keep the final agreed quotation and booking reference for your own records.