Let’s go! So you’ve decided you are ready to make moves. Let’s review the best way to pack furniture so you don’t wind up with a broken sofa leg or cracked TV.
As you of course already know there are the small items that require bubble wrap and boxes and then there are those bigger pieces such as closets, furniture, giant kitchen items and more that require a little professional help or knowledge of how to best pack them up for the journey.
At the end of the day we just want to click our heels and have the whole house moved for us without risks, but in reality, this isn’t how it works.
By prioritizing proper packing techniques and investing the time and effort required to protect your furniture, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars from broken pieces. Don’t make the rookie mistake I made of moving a couch with a friend and accidentally breaking its leg! Trust me it cost way more than the movers ever would have!
Moving APT top things to consider
The goal= to prevent damage by thinking and planning ahead. Properly packing up all pieces helps prevent damage to all of your furniture during the move itself.
This helps prevent scratches, dents, chips, or other exterior damages that can happen if furniture pieces are not adequately protected.
Even though it may seem silly to pack up a couch leg, or wrap a wooden table up in foam, trust me it is in your best interest.
1. It is best to maximize your space
Efficient packing allows you to maximize space in the moving truck or container, reducing the number of trips needed back and forth, and helping to save on transportation costs. If you pack efficiently you can rent a smaller moving truck saving hundreds.
Well-packed furniture also makes it easier to organize and secure items for the ride as well as making the unpacking phase much more simplified.
2. Make your life simpler overall
Properly packed furniture is easier to handle during loading, unloading, and the ride itself. It reduces the risk of accidents, injuries, or strain on movers or yourself. Packing properly rather than just throwing everything in the truck not only saves space but also prevents accidents.
3. Use the right packing materials to keep things safe
Packing materials such as furniture blankets, pads, foam, and plastic wrap for large items can help preserve the outsides of your furniture. This is particularly important for delicate or items that you want to maintain in perfect condition.
Using either your existing blankets or taking from the mover and putting an extra layer is bound to save your dresser when your mover accidentally runs over a curb.
Proper packing with the right materials can contribute to the longevity of your furniture as it is protected from getting wear and tear during the move.
What else should I consider?
Insurance coverage is key! If you have proper insurance coverage for your move, proper packing is often a requirement by the company to ensure that your belongings are protected.
- Insurance may not cover damage caused by improper packing or insufficient protection. Make sure you are familiar with your mover’s basic policy as well as any add ons or extras you should consider.
- If there are high premiums that cost more than your furniture itself, you should think about taking out an external policy.
Think about taking apart and putting back together major pieces to avoid damage.
- If possible, disassemble large furniture items such as bed frames, tables, and shelves before packing. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of damage.
- Know that some movers charge extra fees for helping to reassemble certain pieces while others like bed frames are usually included.
Be organized as you go and clearly label each piece of furniture and all of its components to make for easy unpacking and reassembly at your new home.
- Keep hardware, screws, and instructions together in labeled bags or containers and staple or tie them with a rubber band to the biggest part of the furniture that is recognizable so you will know what goes with what.
If you are doing a DIY move know that when lifting and moving furniture, you must ensure to use proper lifting techniques to avoid injuries. Don’t let anyone help you that is not using the right lifting methods as they could injure their back badly.
Wrapping things up (and we don’t mean your headboard)
As you can see, moving those big furniture pieces takes a bit of planning and sense to make things run smoothly. If you are using a moving service you don’t really need to worry about this aspect of the move, as your furniture movers (if booked on Moving APT) are pros at moving the big pieces.
It is important if doing a DIY move to put the proper focus on wrapping the big furniture pieces properly, not skimping on packing materials, and overall just utilizing the space smartly in the moving truck.
The more you spend time planning out how the big pieces will be moved, effort put into disassembling pieces, and organizing your items smartly, the more you are bound to save in terms of money and time later on.
There is nothing more frustrating than winding up with a broken piece of furniture that you loved in your old home, so ensure to follow the above tips for sweet success on your move!
Moving APT Pitch
Of course I am biased when I say that Moving APT movers are the best, but what can I say, you can’t hide the truth. When it comes to booking a mover in an area you are unfamiliar with, it is best to leave this part to those who actually know what they are doing.
If you are skeptical about booking on an online platform as you are more of a DIY guy like I was, read up on our reviews. Knowing that a professional has your back in such a sketchy industry is worth every penny. You want to sleep well at night knowing that your mover will actually show up on moving day, won’t throw unexpected charges into the mix, and won’t run away with your deposit. Trust only the best!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Moving APT’s top tips to clear out my old home and get rid of junk?
First things first, you’ll need all the items out and packed up. Don’t even try cleaning room by room as you pack or you’ll end up exhausting yourself and cleaning the same place twice. Things get dirty from boxes and tape.
Embrace it and once fully packed up, stack your cartons in a central place that allows you to Dyson and mop all the floors. Wipe down common surfaces such as countertops and the insides of drawers. You can always hire a cleaning crew post-move if you don’t have time and energy.
How can I save money on my moving expenses by planning ahead?
When you plan ahead, you are actually in control of your own move. Since you can play around with the dates and times, you can haggle with your mover for a cheaper deal.
Moving mid week or in the winter when people prefer not to move can end up saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run, and since the moving companies are less busy, they don’t mind giving a discount in exchange for you booking with them in advance.
How do I best use my personalized inventory moving list?
When you’re finally loading up the truck, take a tally that everything on your list was actually loaded onto the truck. This list is your insurance policy to yourself. It can also serve as a helpful unpacking guide as you can tick off the lines you have completed.
What’s the most important thing to do before moving out?
Take care of all the paperwork ahead of time such as adding your name to all new utilities ahead of time with your credit card on auto withdrawals. Signing and locking down the new home should be done well ahead of time to avoid added stress as well as booking your moving date. Utilities should be handled ahead of time to avoid late fees or disconnection issues.
How can I feel confident I have found an honest mover?
We agree that honesty is the most important quality trait a mover should have. No matter the pricing differences or reviews, nothing is more important than honesty and transparency.
Moving APT created a vetted list of movers and has a dedicated team that all day show up to their desk in the office just to read through personal reviews, and check accident records, insurance claims, and other boring documents of our movers on the marketplace. It’s important you know what to check and why or you may end up paying more to get out of a scam.
