If you are moving locally, there is no reason why you should leave large appliances at your old place. You can relocate them safely, and if they are in good condition, use them in years to come. The only trick here is that you should follow our step-by-step guide in order to do this right.
Damaging large appliances during relocation is quite common. Luckily, this can easily be avoided and you can relocate your appliances like a pro by preparing large appliances for a move in advance. Of course, if you don`t want to risk any damage or simply do not have time, you can always rely on a reputable moving company to assist you.
Prepare Heavy Appliances for a Move Like a Professional
In order to do this right, you will need the following equipment:
- Detergent
- Cleaning gloves
- Tape
- Moving boxes
- Furniture dolly
Once you have assembled what you need, you can start preparing your items for relocation.
Take Photos First
Take pictures of your big appliances before and after moving. Capture all angles and the inside too. You can also make a video. This helps you see if anything got damaged during the move.
If you are hiring movers NYC, after the move you will check whether the items are in the same condition. If not, you will need to file a claim, and photos are the best way to prove your point.
Call the manufacturer or read the manufacturer`s guide
When you bought larger appliances, they came in with the manufacturer’s guide. Most likely you threw this away after you have learned how to use the appliance in question. However, these guides contain important suggestions as to how to prepare them for relocation.
Our suggestion is to check the guide from the manufacturer for instructions on how to move the product. If you don’t have the guide, you can find it online quickly. If you can’t find it online, you can call the manufacturer for help.
Find the original moving boxes
Your fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and dishwasher came in original packaging. If you did not throw this away, now is the perfect time to use it again. This will enable you to prepare your larger appliances for relocation in the best way possible. However, don`t worry if you don`t have these. Your professional movers will know how to deal with them, and you can always order custom moving boxes.
Prepare your refrigerator for a move
First of all, you need to take all the food out of the refrigerator. Then use the mild detergent to clean the fridge thoroughly. You don`t want any mildew or unpleasant smells coming out of your fridge. At least 24-48 hours before the move, you should completely unplug the appliance. Refrigerators have a few racks, that you need to take care of. You can either remove them from the fridge or secure them with tape. What is important is that they do not fall out and break during transport.
Stove preparation
When it comes to preparing the stove for relocation, it is important to determine whether you have a gas stove. These types of stoves should be prepared by the professional crew member. This is because you need to disconnect the gas line from the stove, which can be dangerous for an amateur. Once you have this covered, you can clean the stove with a detergent. Just like with the fridge, you need to take out the rack and pack it separately to avoid any damage.
The dishwasher is fairly easy to prepare for moving…
When you want to prepare a dishwasher for moving, you need to remove all the dishes from it first. You should clean the dishwasher by running a circle while it is empty. All that you need is some detergent and hot water. Leave the doors open and let the unit dry completely before relocation. The next thing you want to do is to disconnect the hose from the unit. Now you can tape the hose on the side or the back of the unit. Tape it as many times as you need to make sure it won`t fall off. Another option is to wrap it in packing paper and place it inside the dishwasher machine.
…just like the washer and dryer machines are
Just like with the dishwasher, make sure there are no items left inside these machines. Clean the washer machine by running a cycle while it is empty. The dryer machine can be cleaned with some detergent and a sponge. Disconnect the hoses and tape them on the side of the machines. You can also choose to pack them inside the machines, as well. It is best if you can use the original packaging for these units.
Use the furniture dolly for transporting your items
Once you have prepared your large appliances for relocation, it is important not to damage them on their way to the moving truck. You can rent, or buy a furniture dolly. This item has saved many large appliances from damage. Not to mention wooden floors, carpets, and stairs. It is easy to make a scratch, dent, or any other damage to these fragile surfaces. So, instead of pushing heavy appliances, place them on the furniture dolly and carefully take them to the moving truck. Move heavy items with ease.
Hire professionals to protect your large appliances
Once you have prepared your large appliances for relocation, you can leave them in the safe hands of professionals. Heavy and bulky items are prone to damage when not handled properly. This is why we recommend that you hire professional Brooklyn movers to relocate your appliances in the safest way possible. Plus, if the items get damaged you will always have moving insurance, so it is a win-win situation. Good luck!