Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to an Internal Move

Q: Is moving within the same building cheaper? A: Yes, typically 20-30% cheaper than a standard move. You save on fuel and heavy transport trucks, but you still pay for the full professional service of packing, manpower, and insurance.

Q: Do I need a moving permit for the same building? A: Yes, you need TWO. You must apply for a "Move Out" permit for your old unit and a separate "Move In" permit for the new one, even if they share the same lobby. This is non-negotiable for developers like Emaar.

Q: How much does an internal move cost in Dubai? A: Expect to pay AED 1,000 - AED 1,800 for a standard 1-bedroom apartment, depending on the walking distance between units and elevator access.

Introduction: The "Easy Move" Myth

It seems like the perfect, stress-free relocation scenario: you've found a larger, better apartment just a few floors up or down the corridor in your own building. No need for a big truck, no navigating Dubai traffic, no changing your commute. It should be simple, right? Just a quick job for a couple of guys with a trolley.

This is the "Easy Move" Myth, and it's a trap that many Dubai residents fall into.

As a relocation manager with 15 years of experience coordinating moves within Dubai's most iconic high-rise towers, I can tell you with certainty: an internal move is a highly specialized logistical operation. It saves on trucking, but it often requires more coordination and care than a standard A-to-B move. The risks of property damage, building fines, and logistical chaos are just as high, if not higher.

This guide will dismantle the myth. We will provide a transparent breakdown of the real costs, explain the critical "double permit" process, and detail why treating an internal move as a "DIY" job is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.

The Cost Breakdown: Why You're Paying for Skill, Not Just a Truck

The main question is always about price. Why does it still cost a significant amount if you're not using a big truck? Here's the transparent breakdown.

The Savings: Where You Actually Save Money

The primary saving comes from eliminating the need for a 3-ton moving truck and a driver for a full day. This typically reduces the overall cost of the move by 20-30%, which can be a saving of around AED 300-600 on an average apartment move.

The "Same" Costs: The Labor is Identical

This is the part that many people overlook. Every other aspect of a professional move is still required:

A Full Crew: You still need a team of 4-6 professional packers and movers.
Professional Packing: Your television still needs to be bubble-wrapped, your glassware still needs to be packed in paper, and your clothes still need to go into wardrobe cartons.
Furniture Disassembly & Reassembly: Your bed frame still needs to be taken apart and put back together. Your IKEA PAX wardrobe still needs to be expertly reassembled to avoid the dreaded "wobble." The risks of DIY are real.
Insurance: The risk of an item being dropped in a corridor is the same as it being dropped on the street. Professional movers provide transit insurance for this.

You are not paying for the truck; you are paying for the skilled labor, professional materials, and insurance to protect your belongings and your old and new homes.

The Hidden Cost: The "Long Carry" Factor

This is a critical point. In many cases, an internal move can involve more manual labor than a standard move.

The Scenario: Imagine your old apartment is at one end of a long corridor and your new one is at the other end. That's a 100-meter walk for the crew with every single box and piece of furniture.
The Cost: This is known in the industry as a "long carry." It significantly increases the time and physical effort required compared to simply loading a truck parked right outside the service elevator. A professional moving company will factor this extra time into their quote. This is why a quote for an internal move might be higher than you initially expect.

The Permit & Paperwork Maze: Navigating the Double Booking

This is the number one mistake people make. They assume one permit is enough. It is not.

Emaar (The Emaar One App): To move from apartment 101 to apartment 501 in the same Emaar tower, you must log into the Sakani portal or Emaar One app and apply for two separate permits:
1. A Move-Out Permit for unit 101. This requires your final DEWA bill and proof that all service charges are settled.
2. A Move-In Permit for unit 501. This requires your new Ejari and the landlord's details.
Nakheel & Dubai Properties: The process is similar for communities managed by Nakheel (Nakheel Portal) and Dubai Properties (RealConnect app). You must formally "close out" your file for the old unit and "open" a new one for the new unit.
The Double Booking Challenge: You now have to book the service elevator twice. This can be a logistical nightmare, especially at the end of the month. You need a time slot to move out of your old apartment and a separate time slot to move in to your new one. A professional move coordinator will help you plan this to avoid costly idle time for the crew. For a full breakdown of the permit process, see our Complete Guide to UAE Moving Permits.

The DEWA & Ejari "Transfer" Myth

Just like with the building permits, you cannot simply "change the address" on your DEWA and Ejari.

Ejari: Your old tenancy contract must be formally cancelled. You then need to get a new Ejari registered for your new apartment.
DEWA: You must apply for a "Move-Out" service for your old account. This will trigger the generation of your final bill. Simultaneously, you must apply for a "Move-In" service for your new account, which will involve paying a new security deposit. You can, however, request for the security deposit from your old account to be transferred to the new one after the final bill is settled.

The DIY Risk: Why You Can't "Just Drag It Down the Hall"

The temptation to save money by doing it yourself with a few friends and a shopping trolley is huge. This is a very, very bad idea.

The Damage: Building corridors have pristine floor tiles, painted walls, and expensive wooden door frames. Dragging a sofa, even carefully, will almost certainly cause scuffs, dents, and scratches.
The Security Deposit: Your building management will conduct an inspection after your move. The cost of repairing that damage to the common areas will be deducted directly from your security deposit, often at an inflated price. That AED 1,500 you "saved" can quickly turn into a AED 3,000 bill.
Professional Protection: A professional moving crew uses specialized equipment like flatbed dollies and cage trolleys. More importantly, they lay down Correx plastic sheets on the floor and use blankets and foam to protect doorways and elevator walls. This is part of their service and is non-negotiable for them to protect themselves and you.

Internal Move Scenarios: Cost & Complexity Comparison

Scenario	Description	Logistics & Cost Factor
Same Floor Move	Moving from Apt 201 to 205.	Easiest & Cheapest. No elevator needed. Cost is almost entirely labor and packing materials.
Different Floor Move	Moving from Apt 201 to Apt 1501.	Standard Complexity. Requires careful booking of one service elevator for both loading and unloading. "Long Carry" fees are unlikely.
Different Tower (Same Complex)	Moving from Tower A to Tower B via a podium level.	Highest Complexity & Cost. Requires extensive "long carry" over potentially long distances. May even require a small truck if the podiums are not connected. Can be as expensive as a standard move.

FAQ: Your Internal Move Questions Answered

Q: Can I move furniture without wrapping it if it's staying in the same building? A: No. Your furniture is still at risk of scratches, dents, and scuffs from being maneuvered through doorways, into elevators, and down corridors. Professional movers will insist on wrapping everything in protective blankets, just as they would for a standard move.

Q: Does my Ejari transfer automatically if I move within the same building? A: No. Your Ejari is tied to a specific property unit. You must legally cancel the Ejari for your old apartment and register a new Ejari for your new apartment.

Q: The quote for my internal move seems high. Why? A: Ask for a breakdown. The cost is likely due to the "long carry" distance between your old and new unit, the need for a large crew to complete the move within a tight elevator booking, and the cost of professional packing materials and insurance. You are paying for the skilled labor, not the truck.

Conclusion: A Small Saving in Transport, A Big Investment in Skill

Moving within the same building is a great way to upgrade your living space without uprooting your life. It offers a moderate cost saving by eliminating the need for a large truck. However, it is not a DIY task. The costs of professional packing, expert furniture handling, building insurance, and the crucial coordination of permits and elevators remain the same.

By hiring a professional moving company, you are not paying for transport; you are paying for expertise and peace of mind. You are ensuring your belongings are protected and, most importantly, that your building's security deposit remains intact.

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Moving Within the Same Building in Dubai: Costs, Permits & The 'Easy Move' Myth (2025 Guide)