One of the most significant challenges in a move is transporting your heaviest items safely and securely. Furniture such as couches, tables, hutches, bookshelves, etc., can all be very tricky to pack and move thanks to their overall weight and bulkiness. The last thing you want to do is damage either the home you are moving out of or the new home you are moving into, or even harm yourself trying to carry these items. So, before you start planning and making your next move, give our guide below a quick read to make sure you are working smarter during your move instead of harder.
1. Plan the move: Before you begin the process of moving anything, take a visual inspection of your home and determine how you will need to carry your items out. Measure doorways or the furniture itself if necessary to better figure out how you can carry that couch through the front door or if it would be better to take it out the back.
2. Deconstruct the items if you can: Some couches allow you to take the feet off of them, allowing you to more easily carry and maneuver a sofa through a doorway or stairwell. For things such as desks or drawers, remove the contents inside, and the legs if possible. For drawers you cannot remove, tape them close with painter’s tape or an equivalent.
3. Clear the way: This might be an obvious one, but make sure that your path is a clear one inside and outside your home. Having boxes or clutter all over the floor can make carrying bulky items an even more of a dangerous proposition.
4. Lift the right way: Lifting with your back is the quickest way to get a major back injury. Be sure to squat down, get a good grip on the item you are going to carry, and power through with your legs to lift the object. Gloves can also be helpful in getting a good grip on things you are moving.
5. Leverage moving equipment: Consider utilizing hand trucks or carts to help make the moving process a little easier. You will be able to pack a bit quicker and reduce the physical strain on your body on an already mentally taxing day. If you are having trouble getting a heavy item to stay on a dolly, try using bungee cords or moving straps to secure it. Stair rollers are also essential if you are moving into or out of a two-story home, but be sure always to have at least two people on hand to move items up stairs.
6. Protect your furniture: Use a used blanket, pads, bubble wrap, etc., to protect and secure your furniture during your move. It is very easy for something to get scratched, bumped, or broken while you are moving it to and fro, so cover your fragile, yet heavy items to ensure their safety.
7. If all else fails, turn to the professionals: Sometimes, moving on your own can be too tall of a challenge to overcome. If that is the case, consider hiring professional movers to help make your move easier to complete. It may be a costlier option, but professional movers already have all of the equipment needed to make a move easy.
To help make your move even easier, consider using 1-800-PACK-RAT for your local and long-distance moving needs. Our portable storage containers come in three different sizes, are at ground level, and the barn door style doors give you added security and space for your items. You can order your container, and we will drop it off at your home where you have 30 days to pack at your pace. Once you are done, we can deliver to your destination, or keep in short or long-term storage for as long as you need. Give us a call today to see how we can help make your next move even easier to accomplish!