Big appliances installation issues – narrow stairs, doors, etc.

I’m looking to buy laundry machine. The stairs at my apartment, while wider than machine, won’t allow for 10cm free space both sides – as shops typically require. Also my bathroom door is just a few cm wider than machine itself. At this point second shop already got really defensive about the installation and want me to schedule paid visit to determine if they can fit machine in or not. (Which I am afraid to take since they can just say “nope, sorry” and leave me with that.)

Yes it is narrow. Yes I think it would require some extra thinking and maneuvering around. But I think it’s doable if people really want to.

What am I suppose to do? There is no washing machine on the market (excluding mini ones which I’m not interested in) that would give me full 10cm free space on both sides. I can’t believe all people in Japan have doors 80cm or wider in their bathroom.

What is your experience? Anyone got similar issues and possible solutions? Thank you.

3 comments
  1. If I were in the business I would not budge from the required extra space because it increases my chances of, for example, scraping the item into the wall causing damage to either item or the wall.

    So you either take the L, do it yourself with a friend and pray to god you don’t cause damage to the building, or you pay them for the visit to see if they can get it up or not. Alternatively, find a smaller model.

  2. >The stairs at my apartment, while wider than machine, won’t allow for 10cm free space both sides – as shops typically require. Also my bathroom door is just a few cm wider than machine itself

    Trying not to say “you should’ve thought of that” but we’ve never had such issues with washing machines.

    >I can’t believe all people in Japan have doors 80cm or wider in their bathroom.

    Our bathroom door is about 85cm. It was a bit of a squeeze but the delivery guys just about managed to do it without scratching anything.

    You could try buying second hand from a recycle shop (in our experience they asked way fewer questions than the electronics shops who seem to be overly anal about it all).

  3. The bathroom door can be removed temporarily if it is a simple door with hinges and screws. 10cm wider stairs should be fine I believe. on amazon iris ohyama says +10cm needed for stairs. consider smaller washing machine less than 60cm and still not considered mini. how many people live in your place? try another shop or online. and make sure to take photos of the place and exact measurements

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like