Stair Deliveries & Pickups: Safety Guidelines

Every staircase is unique. Learn how Party Rental Ltd. evaluates stair deliveries and pickups to ensure the safety of our employees, your property, and your rental equipment.

Written by Allison McNamara

Our goal is to safely deliver every item to the requested location whenever possible. While many rental items can be transported up or down stairs (additional stair charges may apply), every staircase, access path, and rental item present unique challenges. For that reason, each delivery and pickup requiring stair access is evaluated individually.

Whether an item can be safely transported depends on a combination of factors, including—but not limited to:

  • The size, weight, shape, and maneuverability of the rental item.
  • The width, height, and overall condition of the staircase.
  • The number of flights, landings, and steps.
  • Tight turns, narrow hallways, or limited maneuvering space.
  • Low ceilings, overhead obstructions, handrails, light fixtures, or other obstacles.
  • The condition of the staircase, including damaged steps, loose carpeting, uneven treads, slippery surfaces, or other conditions that may create a safety hazard.
  • The access path leading to the staircase, including narrow doorways, gates, elevators, landscaping, sharp corners, or other obstacles that may impact the safe movement of the item.
  • Stair construction, steepness, stability, and overall structural condition.
  • Weather conditions or other environmental factors that could affect safe handling.
  • The number of personnel required to safely transport the item.
  • The potential risk of injury to our employees or damage to your property or our equipment.

Because every situation is different, an item that can safely be transported at one location may not be able to be transported at another. The final determination is based on the specific rental item, the complete access path, the staircase and surrounding conditions, and the overall safety of the situation.

For the safety of our employees and to help protect your property and our equipment, Party Rental Ltd. reserves the right to decline transporting any rental item up or down stairs if our Transportation Team determines it cannot be done safely.

If your delivery or pickup requires transporting rental items up or down stairs, you should contact Party Rental Ltd. before your scheduled delivery to discuss the access conditions. We may request photos or a short video of the complete delivery path, including entrances, hallways, doorways, staircases, landings, turns, railings, and any other areas the item must pass through. This allows us to evaluate the location in advance, identify potential concerns, and discuss any available alternatives before delivery.

While an advance review helps us prepare for your delivery, it does not guarantee that an item can be safely transported on the day of service. Conditions observed onsite may differ from those shown in photos or videos, or additional safety concerns may not become apparent until our crew arrives. The final determination will always be made by our Transportation Team at the time of delivery or pickup based on the actual conditions present and whether the item can be moved safely.

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Care team via phone at 1-844-GO-HIPPO (464-4776) or LIVE CHAT on our website.  Our Live Chat is available Mondays - Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.