First decide where it's going: sell or give away good pieces, donate to a charity that accepts that item, take it to an FEHD refuse collection point during opening hours, or book a removal. Measure the item, the doors, the lift and the stair turns, empty it, and dismantle beds and wardrobes, keeping screws in a labelled bag. Tell building management before you move it, protect the lift and corridor, and never leave it in a stairwell or on the street: illegal disposal of a large amount of waste carries a HK$6,000 fixed penalty.
Before you start
- Tape measure
- Screwdrivers and an Allen key set
- Zip bags and a marker for screws and fittings
- Moving blankets or old duvets; stretch wrap or tape
- Gloves with grip
- A second person for anything bigger than a chair
Step by step
Step 1
Decide where it's going
Sell or give away pieces in good condition. Check charity lists before you offer: Crossroads, for example, needs small two-to-three-seat sofas, single or double mattresses and wardrobes, but does not accept dressing tables, glass-top tables or queen and king beds and mattresses. Anything else goes to a refuse collection point or a removal team.
Step 2
Measure the route
Measure the item's height, width and depth, then the front door, any tight corridor corners, the lift door and the inside of the lift car (including the diagonal), and the stair turns if you're on a walk-up. If it won't fit whole, plan to dismantle it.
Step 3
Empty it and check every drawer
Empty drawers, under-bed storage and sofa cushions. People find keys, cash and documents at this stage. Remove shelves and loose glass, and tape drawers shut so they don't slide out on the stairs.
Step 4
Dismantle what comes apart
Beds, wardrobes, bunk beds and many tables come apart. Photograph each stage, then bag and label the screws. Wrap mirrors and glass panels separately and tape them in a cross so they don't shatter if knocked.
Step 5
Tell building management and book the lift
Many buildings want notice before large items move, and some set times or ask for lift protection. A two-line message to the management office the day before saves an argument at the lift lobby.
Step 6
Protect the flat, lift and corridor
Wrap corners with blankets or stretch wrap, and lay something over the floor where you'll pivot the piece. Carry with two people, lifting with your legs, and turn the item on its end for tight lift cars.
Step 7
Hand it over or take it to a refuse collection point
Hand sold or donated items over at the agreed time. For the rest, FEHD's off-street refuse collection points accept general domestic junk, including furniture, during opening hours: generally 7:00am to 3:30pm, and to 11:30pm in busy areas. Ask the staff where to place it.
Step 8
Never leave it outside
Don't park furniture on the pavement, in a back lane or in a stairwell 'until collection'. FEHD runs IP cameras at illegal dumping blackspots, and illegal disposal of a large amount of waste carries a HK$6,000 fixed penalty.
Fixed quote on WhatsApp Send 2–3 photos, your area and lift or stairs. Fixed, all-in quote, usually in 15 minutes.
WhatsApp a photo for a quoteItem by item
| Item | Before it moves | Likely route |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa | Remove cushions and legs; check for a sofa bed mechanism | Sell or donate if small and clean; otherwise refuse collection point or removal |
| Mattress | Bag it in plastic if it's going through the building | Some charities take single or double mattresses in good condition; worn ones go to a refuse collection point or removal |
| Bed frame | Dismantle; bag and label bolts | Sell or donate if solid; otherwise refuse collection point or removal |
| Wardrobe | Empty, take off doors, remove rails, dismantle if flat-pack | Wardrobes are in demand with some charities; built-ins need a carpenter |
| Glass-top or mirrored furniture | Tape the glass in a cross; carry glass separately | Commonly refused by charities; refuse collection point or removal |
| Piano | Don't try it yourself; it's heavy and top-heavy | Specialist movers or removal; see piano disposal |
Item pages with more detail: sofa, mattress, piano.
Hong Kong specifics that catch people out
- Small lift cars. Many older residential lifts can't take a long sofa flat. Measure the inside of the car, including the diagonal, before you promise it to a buyer.
- Walk-ups. Tong lau stairs are narrow with tight turns. Plan to dismantle, and budget two people per flight.
- Management rules. Some buildings restrict the hours for moving large items and ask for lift protection. Check the house rules or ask the management office.
- Refuse collection point hours. They're daytime places in most areas. A late-evening clear-out with nowhere to take things is how furniture ends up on the street.
- Humidity and mould. Sofas and mattresses kept in damp rooms can develop mould, and many charities won't accept them. Check the underside before offering it.
What affects the cost
Taking furniture to a refuse collection point yourself is free, but you need transport and people. Selling or donating can cost you a van booking. If you book a removal, the price depends on:
- The number and size of pieces
- Access: lift size, stairs and how close the truck can park
- Dismantling, especially wardrobes, bunk beds and anything fixed to the wall
- Timing: same-day, evening or a fixed slot
Our quotes are all-in: carrying out, dismantling, transport and disposal, confirmed before you book. See how our quotes work.
Questions about this
Can I leave an old sofa downstairs for the rubbish collectors?
No. Leaving furniture in the street or another public place can lead to a fixed penalty: HK$3,000 for depositing litter or waste in a public place, or HK$6,000 for illegal disposal of a large amount of waste. Take it to an FEHD refuse collection point during opening hours, or book a removal.
Do refuse collection points accept furniture?
Yes. FEHD says its off-street refuse collection points accept general domestic junk, for example furniture. Most operate from about 7:00am to 3:30pm, with longer hours in busy areas.
Which charities take furniture in Hong Kong?
Several do, each with its own list. Crossroads Foundation takes many household pieces through its GoodCity app, such as small sofas, single or double mattresses, wardrobes, bookshelves and desks, but not dressing tables, glass-top tables or queen and king beds. You deliver to Tuen Mun or book a van.
How do I get a big sofa out of a small lift?
Measure the lift car, including the diagonal, and the door. Remove the legs and cushions and stand the sofa on its end. If it still won't fit, it may need to go down the stairs or be dismantled.
Do I have to dismantle the bed first?
Usually yes for beds, bunk beds and wardrobes: they rarely fit through doors and lifts whole. Photograph each step and bag the screws in case the next owner needs to rebuild it.
How fast can furniture be collected?
Same-day service is sometimes possible, subject to availability; booking 48 hours ahead is best. Send 2–3 photos, your area and whether there's a lift, and we'll confirm a fixed quote and a time.
Sources
Official rules and figures in this guide come from these public sources. We check them when we update the guide; if anything has changed, the source wins.
