How to Safely Move Furniture

We all want our moves to be easy, safe and as stress-free as possible, but that is not always the case. This is why we have compiled some guidelines you can follow to ensure the success of your relocation. It is vital that you determine if you want to move the large furniture yourself or if you want to contract a professional moving service to do so. There are many advantages and disadvantages to each option, but here are the key actions you should take with each option.

Self-move of furniture:

Mapping/Measuring - Study the furniture and measure/determine the dimensions of the furniture you intend to move beforehand. Measure the doorways and hallways to determine if the furniture can pass through without being damaged. Also, measure the destination area to ensure that it will fit safely in your new space.

Packing - Pack as many items as possible in boxes, make sure you reinforce the bottoms properly with packing tape and try to keep them at a manageable weight. Wrap furniture with furniture pads, blankets or bubble wrap.

Unload and Disassemble - Take drawers, cushions, glass, mirrors or knobs off/out of the furniture and carry them separately. Make sure the furniture is lighter to move and slimmer to squeeze through narrow spaces as easily as possible. If you are moving a sleeper or sofa bed, it may help to remove the mattress. In addition, remove any legs from furniture if possible.

Use Sliders - Purchasing commercial sliders to put under the feet of your furniture is helpful. This would avoid scratching up hardwood floors, tiles or tearing up your vinyl. Blankets can also work as sliders if none are available.

Safely Loading/Unloading - Provided you can get your furniture onto wheels and roll it, this can be a safer option for loading. You can also use a dolly or wagon to move furniture from one location to another. Determine which part of the furniture is the heaviest and carry it by that part to avoid injuries. When lifting furniture during your move, bend your knees; never lift with your back. You can press against the heavy part with your feet, if the carpet is secure or if the furniture is on casters as this will give you more power and leverage.

Moving furniture with a professional service provider:

Home Inspection - Prior to moving your household goods with the selected service provider, always ensure that you show everything to the Surveyor during your home inspection. You will want to point out the furniture that will be moved, staying, those that are fragile or of high value. This way they can determine the box sizes, crating, furniture pads, bubble wrap and any other packaging materials that would be needed for the day of packing so that they package each piece accordingly for a safe and secure move.

Valuation - Determine the value of your household goods for transit protection. Doing so ahead of time will allow you to easily explain to your Surveyor or Relocation Coordinator the level of coverage you will need for your furniture. Make sure that your household goods are fully protected during the move.

Secure Valuables - While one would hope that the service providers can be trustworthy; most providers do use third party contractors to assist with a packing of household goods for shipment. This means that it is important that you secure small valuables such as jewelry, coin collections, credit cards etc. offsite prior to the move.

Loading/Unloading - You or a designated person should be present during packing, loading, and unloading of the furniture. Verify that the right household goods are being packed for shipment and is being treated and packaged with care. Fragile items are wrapped, crated and boxed appropriately for safe delivery.

Inventory - It is your responsibility to understand and participate in the inventory process by asking your driver to explain all notations before you sign off on the inventory form for your furniture move. By signing, you are agreeing with the driver on the condition of your furniture prior to delivery to the new location.

Moving sometimes can be a strenuous experience. However, following these simple guidelines, you can be well-prepared to experience the smoothest move you've ever had.