The truck pulls up outside the compound. The gate is a little narrower than it looked from the road, a thick cable runs low across the entrance, and the mango tree in the front yard has a branch right where the roof of the truck wants to go. The driver switches off the engine and gets out to look.
Houses with their own compound look easier to move than flats, because there are no lifts or stairwells to fight. In practice they bring a different set of problems. Most of them can be checked before moving day.
Walk the compound the day before
Take ten minutes with your phone and look at the route a truck would take, from the road to the door.
Gate width and height
Measure the gate opening, and check the height of any gate arch or beam. A truck needs more room than a car. If you are not sure, ask the driver what width the vehicle needs, and send a photo of the gate with a tape measure or a person standing in it.
If the gate is too narrow, plan to park on the road and carry the load out. Say so in your request, because it changes the time the job takes.
Overhead cables
Look up. In many Lagos neighbourhoods, utility cables, generator wires and cable TV lines hang across entrances and streets at different heights. A tall truck can snag them. Do not ask anyone to lift or move a cable themselves. If a cable is low, keep the truck on the road and do not try to push through. Contact the utility if needed, and follow their guidance.
Trees and low branches
Mango, almond and palm trees overhang many compounds. Branches can scrape the roof of a truck and damage the load if it is stacked high. If you own the tree, trim it a few days before. If it belongs to a neighbour, talk to them early.
Ground and slope
After rain, a sandy or unpaved compound can become soft. A loaded truck can sink or slip. If the ground is soft, park on firm ground and carry the load across. Read our post on rainy season moves in Lagos for more on planning around weather.
Cars, generators and gate parking
Many compounds already have cars, a generator house or a water tank in the way. Move your own cars out early. Clear the path from the door to the gate.
Inside the house
A bungalow often has wide doors and no stairs, which is a gift. A duplex has an internal staircase that may be the real obstacle. Check:
- Can a wardrobe turn the corner of the stairs, or does it need to be taken apart?
- Are there mounted items on the walls, such as TVs, air conditioners and curtain rails that need removing?
- Is there a second floor balcony or a second exit that shortens the route?
Take apart beds and wardrobes the night before, and keep the screws in a labelled bag taped to the frame. If your house has a large air conditioner, see our guide on moving an air conditioner.
The loading plan
Clear the compound first, then load in order:
- heavy items such as the fridge, freezer and washing machine go in first
- mattresses and sofas next, wrapped
- boxes in the gaps, labelled by room
- fragile items last, and kept upright
Ask a neighbour or the gateman to watch the gate, so nobody blocks the truck and nothing walks off the compound while the doors are open.
Ready to move?
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos accept or send a counter-offer.
What to tell the driver
When you describe the job, include the facts that matter for a compound move:
- the gate width and any height limit
- cables or branches near the entrance
- whether the truck must park on the road
- the distance from the front door to the road
- whether the ground is firm or soft
A driver who knows these details can accept or counter with a fair idea of the time involved. Agree loading and offloading help before you accept an offer, especially if the carry from door to road is long.
How to do this on Sphere
- Choose a truck or pickup van, depending on how much you are moving.
- Add the pickup and drop-off addresses and describe the whole house.
- Add the compound notes: gate width, cables, trees and where the vehicle can stop.
- Propose a price and wait for offers from nearby verified drivers.
- Accept the offer that fits, and confirm details in the chat.
Our Lagos house moving page explains more about household moves.
Frequently asked questions
Can any truck get into a normal Lagos compound?
Not always. Many compounds are tight, so check gate width and cables and tell the driver in advance.
What should I do about a low cable?
Do not try to lift it yourself. Park on the road and carry the load, and contact the utility if it needs to be raised.
Should I trim trees before moving day?
If the tree is yours and the branches are low over the entrance, trimming a few days before helps. Ask neighbours about theirs early.
Is a bungalow always easier than a duplex?
Usually, because there are no stairs, but the compound still has its own problems. A duplex staircase can be the hardest part of the job.
What if the truck cannot enter at all?
Park on the road, carry the load to the truck, and allow more time. Say this in your request so drivers can plan.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos accept or send a counter-offer.
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