When it comes to packing and moving household items, handling the smaller stuff usually isn’t too challenging. But large, awkwardly-shaped, heavy items like furniture and appliances can be a major pain to pack and transport. Worse, without proper preparation, moving large, heavy items can be downright dangerous, especially if you’re not quite sure how to tackle the job.
To help you get a better idea of what’s required to move the largest, heaviest items in your house, the team at Ed’s Moving & Storage shares furniture and appliance moving tips below.
Ask For Help
If you’re moving on your own or even if you live with a partner who can help, packing and transporting large furniture pieces and appliances is tough. For most relocators, it’s not a one- or two-person job — it requires a small army. So if you’re set on conducting a do-it-yourself move, it’s never a bad idea to solicit the help of friends and family.
Get the Proper Moving Equipment
If you plan on moving a refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, or stove, it’s best not to tackle the job with your bare hands alone. Not only are these items heavy and awkwardly shaped, but they’re also difficult to hang onto while you transport them out of your house. That’s where appliance moving equipment comes in.
If you’re planning to do your own appliance moving without professional help, make sure you rent or purchase the following pieces of equipment from a moving supply store:
● Appliance dolly
● Utility dolly (also called a hand truck)
● Moving straps to secure items to the dollies
● Lifting straps to lift items onto dollies and the truck
● Floor sliders
● Moving blankets or another form of floor protection
Hire a Professional Moving Company
Not sure you feel comfortable relying on your friends and family for help? Honestly, it’s probably for the best. When it comes to moving heavy, bulky items, the best thing you can do is trust the job to professional movers and packers.
Not only do the pros have the proper training and equipment to perform the job safely, but they can also complete the work in far less time. Even better, when you work with a professional moving company, liability insurance comes standard and you can include additional insurance as you see fit. Having insurance will give you peace of mind knowing that your possessions are covered in the event of damage or loss throughout the moving process.
If you’re unsure what type of moving insurance will provide the level of coverage you need, don’t hesitate to ask your moving company. Any reputable company will give you a complete breakdown of exactly what liability insurance covers, as well as the various levels of coverage provided by add-on insurance options.
Protect Your Doorways and Hallways
When you’re moving large furniture and appliances, it’s exceedingly easy to bump into door frames and walls in narrow walkways. To avoid scuffing walls, damaging molding, or even creating holes, make sure you properly protect walls and door frames if you know you’ll have trouble maneuvering through those spaces. Quick and simple ways you can protect these areas include:
● Remove decorative molding
● Remove trim on doorways
● Cover furniture in quilted moving pads or blankets
● Cover corners and doorways with protective adhesive padding
If you’re worried about damaging your house while moving large, heavy items, again, the best thing you can do is hire professional movers and packers. When you work with a professional team, they have all of the necessary moving and protective equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently.
Get Personal Protective Equipment
It’s exceedingly easy to smash a finger, drop something on a toe, or even throw out your back when moving furniture and appliances. That’s why wearing personal protective equipment is so important. You don’t have to go all out and don a full protective suit, but there are certain items you seriously consider wearing. They include:
● Heavy-duty work gloves
● Sturdy, non-slip shoes or steel-toed boots
● A long sleeve shirt
● A hard hat if you’re moving heavy or large items down flights of stairs
● Some type of back brace if you have low back pain or previous injuries
Disassemble Items Before Transport
Whenever possible, disassemble large, heavy furniture items into smaller, more manageable pieces before you begin the transport process. Though disassembly will add time to your packing process, it can dramatically reduce your risk of personal injury or item damage during your move. Items you should definitely consider disassembling include:
● Bed frames
● Large tables
● Modular sofas
● Dressers
● Vanities
● Shelving units
If you have neither the time nor the tools to disassemble the above items, you should seriously consider opting for full moving and packing services from a professional moving company. A comprehensive moving package can include full disassembly of your furniture items before the move, as well as reassembly of those items in your new home.
Need Furniture Movers in Seattle? Contact Ed’s Moving & Storage
When you need help moving your furniture or appliances, our team at Ed’s Moving and Storage is at your service. We specialize in a wide range of residential and commercial moving services and have proudly served the Seattle/Tacoma metro since 1958. To get a fast moving quote or request more information, call our Tacoma office today at 253-581-2446 or contact us online.