Packing

How to Create a Moving Inventory List

Posted on 03/08/202209/15/2026 by BigApple

Preparing a proper and accurate moving inventory for your move is of great importance, especially if you have many items. A moving inventory list will help you to be more organized during your relocation process. It will be easier to track your possessions. And it is very significant when you are trying to get an accurate estimate from your Big Apple Movers.

How to Make a Moving Inventory List

When you are planning to move, surely you’ll want to know how much it would cost you. So, one of the first things to do is to get a moving estimate. In order to get an accurate moving estimate, you will need to tell your movers exactly what you are planning to move.

To save money when moving, make a list of all the things you need to move. This will help you get an accurate quote from the movers. It’s important to be as detailed as possible on your list. When looking for a good deal, get quotes from different moving companies.

You’ll want to start by researching and finding several reliable movers in your area. Once you’re sure they’re licensed and allowed to do business in your area, you’ll reach out to at least three of them. Moving estimates should be free of charge so you can ask for as many as you like but three should be your minimum.

Make sure you understand what exactly is included in the price so you would be able to compare properly. You should then use those details to figure out what works best and pick the best offer.

Creating a Moving Inventory List with an Apps

It’s no secret that creating a moving inventory list can be time-consuming. It can also get rather boring, especially if you’re doing it alone. But it is really a necessary thing to do, so there’s no way around it. One thing you can do though is to make it as efficient and as easy as possible.

There are different ways to create inventory. For example, a traditional method is one option. You can write it on a piece of paper while you are going through your stuff. On the other hand, you can use your phone or tablet. There are several fantastic android apps for organizing your items. And that is the easiest way to do it.

These apps are useful for making a list of your things. You can sort them into categories and search for them easily. They are easy to use and have a simple design. You can put all your things in one of these apps.

Every property is divided into rooms, and every room has its own list of items. You can add a closet, for example, and it can have a sub-list of items that are stored inside.

These apps help you create a moving inventory list just as you would on a piece of paper, but much more efficiently. You can add notes, weight, and value of your items. You could even add photos of each item you add to the list.

This comes in really handy in case you need to file a claim later on, just in case any of your items get damaged while moving. Having a “before” picture of the item will serve as proof of its condition before relocation. Overall, using a free phone app is really the perfect and easiest solution for creating a moving inventory list.

Create Your Moving Inventory List

While having everything on your phone is the most convenient solution for most, there’s another type of crowd too. Some people find that using a smartphone is way too complicated. If you have trouble with downloading, installing, and getting around android apps, you can create the moving checklist in an old-fashioned way and write it down on a piece of paper.

In case you decide to go for this option, it’s recommended you make copies. This will be very helpful in case your paper gets lost or mixed in the process.

Please be advised that utilizing a desktop computer to create an inventory list may not be the most practical option in this particular scenario. This is due to the fact that it would require frequent movement throughout the house. While a laptop could be utilized, it is important to exercise caution to avoid any accidental damage while navigating through various items. Therefore, it may be most efficient to utilize a smartphone or traditional pen and paper to complete the task at hand.

Create a Separate Inventory list for Every Room

The smartest way to make an efficient and helpful inventory list is to divide your moving inventory list by room. If you can, you should make a separate inventory list for every room that you have. This will help you to stay more organized.

You can start with large items, the ones that you can easily spot. Then move on to smaller items. In order to have a detailed inventory list, you should add some specifics for every item.

What You Should Note

Areas

To ensure a smooth moving process, it is recommended to begin by categorizing your inventory list according to each room. Focusing on one area at a time is highly advantageous compared to tackling multiple spaces simultaneously. This approach promotes a more systematic approach and facilitates meticulous tracking of all items intended for packing and transportation.

Title

Your first column should contain the item’s name. Simply create titles like “dining table”, “sectional”, “freezer”, and so on.

Weight

Now, you need to guess how much each thing weighs. If it’s small, you can use a scale at home. If it’s big, you can look up how much things like it usually weigh on the internet. You can also use some tools online to help you guess. This is important because how heavy your stuff is affects how much it costs to move it. So, you should have an idea of how heavy your things are.

Condition

Note the current condition of your items. It is very important to note the state of your items before the move.

Value

The next step is to add the monetary value of the item you’re inventorying. This doesn’t have to be an exact price − you can add the estimated value of items instead.

Designated spot

Think about where will you place your item in your new home and write it down. This will be very helpful during a moving truck unload and unpack. Once you know where each item is supposed to go, the process will go much smoother and faster.

Extra notes

Leave a place for additional notes and ideas that you might have. That can include anything from the fact that an item holds emotional value to the info that it should be packed or stored in a specific way. Additional info could be anything extra that’s not covered in regular sections of the inventory list.

Photos

While creating an inventory list, make sure that you take photos of all important details concerning the condition of your items. Even better, you can make a video, it’s faster than taking photos and you can easily record your thought and notes, too. As mentioned before, this will serve as proof in case you need to file an insurance claim.

Boxes

When you are packing for a move it is very important to use the right moving boxes and label them properly. You should also create an inventory list of your boxes. That way you can easily track your shipment and quickly check your items when they arrive at your destination. Label your boxes by colors, for example, and you will easily know the number of boxes and in which room are they going.

Storing Items in a Storage Unit

If you plan to move some items to a self-storage, make a separate inventory list for storage too. When you are storing your items in a storage unit, it will be good to have a list to be certain about the location of your items if you can’t find something during unpacking. So before you chase your movers and accuse them of missing items, check your storage inventory list. It will be of great help in these kinds of situations. If you need affordable moving and storage NYC company, Big Apple Moving is at your service.

Top 6 Packing Materials You Need When Moving

Posted on 12/14/202112/10/2025 by BigApple

The amalgamation of packing supplies and uncomplicated packing techniques is a crucial aspect of a seamless packing procedure and a relocation process devoid of stress. Appropriate packing materials serve to safeguard your possessions and facilitate their transportation to your new abode in an undamaged state.

If you aspire to pack like a professional but are uncertain about the process, we are here to assist you. Continue reading to discover the six most essential packing materials required for a successful move.

Containers

The first part of your packing supplies has to do with containers – they’re necessary since you naturally have to pack your items into something in order to move them. There are a few options here, the first one being the most often one, which is − regular cardboard moving boxes NYC. This is the most affordable option.

If you are seeking free cardboard boxes, they can be readily obtained. Numerous establishments, including local grocery stores, bookstores, home improvement stores, and various other retailers, often have surplus boxes that they are willing to part with. It is advisable to conduct a thorough search if you are in need of a cost-effective solution. While moving boxes are typically sufficient, it may be necessary to procure particularly robust boxes depending on the nature of your items.

Your second option is to ditch the cardboard and go for recycled plastic instead. In that case, you’ll want to look into places to rent plastic storage containers. If you’re wondering why anyone would want to spend money on something like that, the reason is that they make your move greener and there’s no chance of them breaking.

Thanks to the recycled plastic they’re made of, these containers can hold any weight without trouble. Plus, you can rent them and bring them back after you’re done so you don’t have to deal with unnecessary clutter in your home after you unpack.

Bubble Wrap

The second packing material you need is the ever-entertaining bubble wrap. You can use it for packing and have fun popping it after you’re finished with your move. While everyone loves the fun part of bubble wrap, the main reason why it’s used so often is that it’s one of the best ways to protect your belongings, whether you’re moving glass, ceramic, porcelain, or other sensitive possessions.

Besides wrapping household belongings, you’ll also use bubble wrap to create soft padding inside moving boxes before packing and you will add a bit extra to fill in empty spaces before you seal the box.

Packing Paper

This is another must-have packing supply because it’s irreplaceable when it comes to protecting sensitive items from scratches. When you’re packing fragile or sensitive items, you’ll get the best results by using packing paper first and bubble wrap second.

You can also use it to fill in voids after you’ve packed all your items inside the box to avoid them from shifting or scratching one another. Get plenty of packing paper and don’t worry about the cost because it’s pretty affordable.

Packing Tape

One essential item to include on your packing materials list is packing tape. Its primary purpose is to reinforce the box by ensuring that all seams are covered, thereby minimizing the risk of the box breaking during transportation.

Once the boxes are packed and ready for moving, it is imperative to use the tape again to seal each box correctly. While it may seem unnecessary to spend money on packing tape, it is crucial to invest in quality tape to avoid the risk of boxes containing valuable items opening up during transit.

Stretch Wrap

This particular packing material proves to be highly advantageous when relocating furniture pieces such as cabinets, chests of drawers, and similar items. To prevent doors or shelves from dislodging during transit or handling, it is recommended to utilize stretch wrap and ensure a secure fit.

Additionally, cutlery or utensil trays can also benefit from the use of stretch wrap to contain loose items. When packing toiletries or liquids, stretch wrap can be employed to envelop the entire bottle and prevent spillage with ease. Furthermore, stretch wrap does not leave any residue, making it a versatile option for any household item.

Sharpie Marker

The last item on your must-have packing supply list is a colorful sharpie marker. Chances are you have one if your home already so just keep it aside until you need it. A sharpie is crucial because you’ll need it to label moving boxes after the packing. The process of labeling may be a bit boring and time-consuming but it is very helpful when you’re loading and unloading your belongings, not to mention unpacking which can turn into a nightmare without labels.

Summary

Hopefully, our list of top packing materials will help you have the most successful move and pack your belongings properly. By using professional packing materials and following simple packing strategies, you will protect your items and have them arrive safely at your new address. Don’t forget that you can also go for additional tools to make your life easier.

For example, if you’re moving extremely heavy or bulky pieces, you’ll want to visit your local mover and rent a moving dolly. They’ll explain to you how to use a moving dolly. Or you may benefit from furniture sliders or furniture straps. While we listed all of the basic materials, your specific situation may require additional materials, especially if moving artwork or extremely valuable or fragile items. Of course, in this case, the best is to hire reliable fine art movers.

Moving Heavy Appliances in NYC: What Crews Handle, What the Law Reserves

Posted on 12/05/202009/15/2026 by BigApple

Quick answer: Moving heavy appliances in New York splits into two jobs, and only one of them belongs to a moving crew. The carrying is craft — a front-load washer runs 205 to 250 pounds on published spec sheets, a French-door fridge up to 335 — but the disconnections are regulated: under New York City’s Local Law 150, gas work may only be performed by a licensed master plumber or someone qualified working under one, and unqualified gas work carries a $5,000 penalty. The move-day rule that saves the most machines is smaller: a front-load washer must travel with its transit bolts reinstalled, because manufacturers warn that shipping one without them can wreck the drum suspension. Book the plumber and order the bolt kit two weeks out, and the rest is lifting.

Machine by machine

What Each Appliance Actually Requires Before It Moves

Every machine in the kitchen and laundry room has one preparation step that decides whether it survives the truck, and one question about who is allowed to touch it. Here they are, side by side, with weights from published manufacturer spec sheets.

Appliance	Published weight	Before the crew arrives	The catch
Refrigerator	~260–335 lb (36” French-door specs); built-ins heavier	Empty, defrost, water line off — full physics in our fridge guide	Whether it may lie down depends on the model type
Front-load washer	~205–250 lb	Transit bolts reinstalled — the model-specific kit, ordered ahead	Manufacturers warn suspension damage without them
Dryer	~120–145 lb	Electric: unplug and cap the cord. Gas: a licensed plumber disconnects	Vent duct comes off and travels separately
Gas range	~150–175 lb	Licensed master plumber — never the crew, never you	NYC law, not mover policy; see below
Dishwasher	~58–81 lb	It is plumbed and often hardwired — agree the uninstall in advance	Lightest machine, most connected

The pattern worth noticing: the heaviest machine is rarely the hardest part of the job. The connections are.

The gas rule

Why No Moving Crew May Touch Your Gas Line in NYC

This is the section every appliance guide skips, and it is the one with a statute behind it.

Under New York City’s Local Law 150 of 2016, it is unlawful to perform gas work unless the work is done by a licensed master plumber, or by a qualified person working under one. That is not a permit technicality — the city’s Department of Buildings classifies even replacing a range or dryer at an existing shutoff valve as plumbing work reserved to the licensed trade. The narrow relief the code offers is that such like-for-like swaps may not need a permit; there is no version of the rule that lets a homeowner or a moving crew do the work instead. The penalty for unqualified gas work runs to $5,000, and Con Edison’s own customer guidance is blunt: call a professional if you need to move or replace a gas-fired appliance.

National moving companies’ published policies point the same direction — movers do not disconnect utilities or perform plumbing and electrical work, and capping a gas line is technician work. So when a moving company tells you its crew will handle the gas stove, that is a company to question, not to book.

The practical sequence: a licensed plumber disconnects and caps the line before moving day, and at the new address a licensed plumber reconnects — and if gas service was shut off in the process, restoration involves filings with the Department of Buildings and the utility, which is one more reason to put the plumber on the calendar before the truck.

The hardware

The Small Parts That Decide the Move

Transit Bolts

Front-load washers ship with bolts that lock the drum, and manufacturers require them reinstalled for any transport: without them the drum swings and the suspension and internal parts can be damaged. Kits are model-specific — order yours by model number a week ahead, and one manufacturer goes as far as recommending a technician fit them.

Water Lines

Anything plumbed gets shut off and drained before the carry: washer hoses, the dishwasher supply, the refrigerator’s ice-maker line. The fridge has its own order of operations, covered in our refrigerator guide.

The Dryer Vent

The duct comes off, gets emptied of a truly humbling amount of lint, and travels separately. A crushed vent hose is the cheapest part on this page and the most commonly destroyed.

Cords, Hoses and Manuals

Taped to the machine they belong to, in a bag. Twenty minutes of labeling at the old place saves an hour of guessing at the new one.

NYC buildings

Walk-Ups, Freight Elevators, and the Paperwork In Between

The machine is only half the problem in New York; the building is the other half.

In our experience, most doorman and managed buildings will not release the freight elevator until the moving company has filed a certificate of insurance with management — and appliance moves trip that requirement as surely as full moves do. We handle COIs routinely; if your building needs one, it is a paperwork step to start a week out, not the morning of. Our certificate of insurance service covers what buildings typically ask for.

Walk-ups are a crew-math question. A washer at 205 to 250 pounds on a tenement staircase is a strapped, two-to-three-person carry with the turns measured first — pre-war stairwells with 180-degree half-landings defeat more appliance moves than the apartment door does. Measure the stair turn, not just the doorway, and tell the mover the floor count when you book, because it changes the crew that gets assigned.

Since 1979 we have carried more washers up Brooklyn walk-ups than we could count, and the honest rule is this: the building decides the method. Give your mover the building’s facts up front and the day goes to plan.

The timeline

Who Does What, and When

1
Two weeks out

Book the licensed plumber for any gas appliance, order the washer’s transit-bolt kit by model number, and give your mover the full appliance list so the crew and truck match the job.

2
One week out

Start the certificate of insurance with building management at both addresses if either has a freight elevator or a doorman. Confirm the plumber’s date sits before the move date.

3
The day before

Empty every machine. Fridge defrosting per its own rules, washer bolts in, dryer vent off, water supplies closed and drained, cords bagged and taped to their machines.

4
Moving day

The plumber’s cap-off is done, the paperwork is filed, and the crew does what crews are for: the protection, the stairs, and the truck — machines riding upright and strapped.

Questions

Moving Heavy Appliances — Frequently Asked Questions

Do appliance movers disconnect gas stoves and dryers? +

In New York City, no crew legally may. Local Law 150 reserves gas work for a licensed master plumber or a qualified person supervised by one, and unqualified gas work carries a $5,000 penalty. A licensed plumber disconnects and caps the line before moving day; the crew handles the carry. Treat any mover who offers to do the gas themselves as a red flag.

Do I need transit bolts to move a washing machine? +

Yes, for any front-load washer and any distance — the drum suspension does not care whether the truck drives ten blocks or ten states. Manufacturers state that machines transported without the bolts can suffer suspension and structural damage, and the kits are model-specific, so order yours by model number ahead of the move.

How heavy are household appliances? +

From published spec sheets: a 36-inch French-door refrigerator runs roughly 260 to 335 pounds, a front-load washer 205 to 250, a dryer 120 to 145, a 30-inch gas range 150 to 175, and a built-in dishwasher 58 to 81. The weight tells you the crew size; the connections tell you the schedule.

Who uninstalls a dishwasher before a move? +

It is the most connected machine in the house — plumbed in, often hardwired, and screwed to the countertop. Agree in advance who handles the uninstall and get it on the order for service in writing; what a crew may do varies by company, and the water and power must be off before anyone slides it out.

Do NYC buildings require paperwork to move appliances? +

Very commonly, yes. In our experience most doorman and managed buildings require the mover’s certificate of insurance on file before the freight elevator is released, for an appliance delivery as much as a full move. Start the COI with management about a week out — it is routine for us and slow for nobody except the person who forgot it.

Can appliances lie down in the truck? +

Machines ride upright and strapped as the default. Washers travel upright with bolts in, ranges and dryers upright, and refrigerators follow model-specific rules that we cover in our fridge guide — several door configurations should never travel on their side at all.

What does it cost to move appliances in NYC? +

It is quoted per job, and the access usually drives the number more than the weight — floors without an elevator, stair turns, and the disconnection work that has to be arranged around the move. Get it in a written estimate with the appliance list and the building details stated, so the number you see is the number that holds.

What happens to the gas line at the new apartment? +

Same rule in reverse: a licensed master plumber makes the connection. And if gas service was shut off along the way, getting it restored involves the plumber filing with the Department of Buildings and the utility — a process measured in days, which is why the plumber goes on the calendar before the truck does.

The 10 Items Most Likely to Break in a Move — and How Pros Pack Each One

Posted on 09/16/202009/22/2026 by BigApple

The items that break most in moves are the ones packed flat, packed loose, or packed last: plates laid flat instead of on edge, glasses with hollow space left unstuffed, mirrors without corner protection, lampshades crushed under anything at all, and furniture edges that met a doorframe unwrapped. Professional crews prevent this with technique, not luck – and with us, furniture wrapping and padding are part of the price of the move, not an add-on.

Every mover knows the damage list by heart, because it barely changes: the same ten items break in the same ways, for the same physical reasons – compression from above, shear across a flat face, vibration finding the one loose thing in a box.

This guide is that list, with the part most packing articles skip: why each item fails, exactly how professional crews pack it, and what the coverage fine print means if you pack it yourself. Packing order and room-by-room logistics are in our apartment packing guide – this page is fragile technique and damage prevention. Read the table first; the technique sections below it go deeper on the four categories that cause most of the heartbreak.

The List

What Actually Breaks in a Move, and Why

Item	Why It Breaks	Pro Fix
Drinking glasses	Hollow + thin walls; empty interiors collapse under load	Stuff the interior, double-wrap, pack upright in a celled dish box
Plates and bowls	Packed flat, one shock hits the whole face	Wrap individually, load on edge like a dishwasher rack
Mirrors and glass frames	Shear across the face; one twist of the box	Corner protectors, taped X, mirror carton, transported on edge
Artwork and canvases	Puncture and pressure against the surface	Glassine over the face, padded and crated for anything valuable
Lampshades	Zero compression strength; anything on top wins	Own box, nested where possible, nothing – nothing – stacked above
TVs and monitors	Screen shear when packed flat or squeezed	Original carton or padded TV box, upright, never laid flat
Electronics	Loose in oversized boxes; connectors snap	Snug box, cables bagged and labeled, padding on all six sides
Books	Weight – big boxes fail from the bottom	Small boxes only, flat or spines down, under the 40-pound line
Furniture edges and legs	Corners meet doorframes; legs lever and snap	Blanket-wrap and padding – included in our price – legs off where they come off
Bottles and liquids	Pressure changes and side-loading; caps give way	Upright, taped caps, bagged, packed in their own box – and cleaning chemicals shouldn’t travel packed at all

The recurring ten, from crews who have seen every one of them. The fix is technique, not expensive materials.

The Kitchen

Dishes and Glasses: The Right Way, Step by Step

1Build the base

A double-walled dish box, seams tape-reinforced, with a thick layer of crumpled packing paper on the bottom – the crush zone every fragile box needs.

2Wrap on the diagonal

Item near one corner of the paper sheet, roll diagonally, tuck the ends as you go. Packing paper, not newspaper – newsprint ink transfers onto glazes and porous surfaces.

3Load for physics

Plates and bowls go on edge, never flat; glasses stand upright with stuffed interiors; stemware gets its stem wrapped and, if it matters to you, a second box around the first.

4Kill the empty space

Rock the closed box gently: anything that shifts needs more fill. Towels and dish cloths count. Label FRAGILE with an arrow on top and side.

Flat and Framed

Mirrors, Art, and Everything With a Face

Flat glass fails differently from a dropped cup: it dies from shear – a twist of the box, a lean against a truck wall at the wrong angle. The counter is edge transport: mirrors and framed pieces travel standing on edge in mirror cartons, corners protected, a taped X across exposed glass to hold fragments if the worst happens anyway.

Canvases and valuable pieces add a second enemy: surface pressure. Glassine paper keeps wrapping from touching the paint; padding keeps everything else from touching the glassine; and for pieces that genuinely matter, a built crate is the honest answer – it is what our fine art moving crews do daily.

The Fine Print

The Coverage Fine Print Nobody Reads Until Something Breaks

The federal default for interstate moves – released-value protection – covers 60¢/lb per article. Under that math a shattered 10-pound television is a six-dollar claim. Full-value protection exists precisely because of that gap, and for genuinely valuable items it is worth the conversation before the truck, not after.

The second thing to know: boxes you pack yourself are, at every moving company, covered differently from boxes the crew packs – the mover can’t vouch for wrapping it never saw. That is not a reason to buy full packing for a bookshelf; it IS a reason to let the crew handle the categories on this page’s list, and to ask exactly how your quote treats owner-packed boxes. Ours answers that in writing, like everything else in the quote. If you want true protection, consider our professional packing service – the crew packs it, the crew owns it.

Questions

Moving Damage Prevention — Frequently Asked Questions

What breaks, how to prevent it, and what the coverage really says.

What items are most commonly damaged during a move?+

Glassware, plates, mirrors and framed art, lampshades, TVs, loose electronics, overpacked book boxes, furniture corners and legs, and bottles of liquid – the same ten, move after move. The pattern behind them: things packed flat that should stand on edge, hollow things left unstuffed, and heavy boxes that fail from the bottom. Fix those three habits and most of the list stops breaking.

How do professional movers pack dishes?+

Double-walled dish box, thick crumpled-paper base, each piece wrapped individually on the diagonal, and – the step that matters most – plates loaded standing on edge rather than stacked flat, so a shock runs along the strong axis instead of across the face. Empty space gets filled until nothing shifts. The materials are ordinary; the technique is what you are actually paying a crew for.

How should glasses be packed for moving?+

Stuff every interior with crumpled paper first – an empty glass collapses from its own hollowness – then double-wrap and stand them upright in rows, never on their sides. Stemware gets its stem wrapped as padding, and truly delicate pieces get double-boxed: the packed box inside a larger one with cushioning between. Upright, stuffed, and snug survives; loose and sideways does not.

How do you pack a mirror for moving?+

Tape an X across the glass, protect all four corners, slide it into a mirror carton or wrap it in padding and cardboard cut to size, and transport it standing on edge – never flat, never under anything. Flat glass breaks from twist and shear, so the whole method exists to keep the face vertical and untouched from wrap to truck wall.

Is it better to let movers pack fragile items?+

For the categories on the damage list – glass, art, screens – usually yes, and not only for skill: boxes a mover packs are covered differently from boxes you pack yourself, because the company can stand behind wrapping it did. The practical split most people land on: pack your own books and linens, let the crew take the kitchen and the wall art. Ask how your quote treats owner-packed boxes; ours answers it in writing.

What happens if movers damage my furniture?+

You file a claim with the mover, and what it pays depends on the protection level chosen before the move. The federal default, released value, runs 60¢/lb per article – a number that surprises everyone the first time. Full-value protection costs more and pays repair or replacement. The honest advice: settle the protection question during the quote, and photograph valuable pieces before the crew arrives.

Do movers wrap furniture, or is that extra?+

It varies by company, which is exactly what to check before comparing prices. With us, blanket-wrapping and padding of furniture – and basic disassembly and reassembly – are part of the price of the move, not add-ons: sofas travel wrapped, table legs come off where they are meant to, and doorway-height clearances get padding before the first item moves. A quote that lists wrapping separately isn’t cheaper; it is unfinished.

What should never be packed in a moving box?+

Liquids that can pressurize or leak – cleaning chemicals, paint, propane, aerosols – plus anything alive or perishable, and the small irreplaceables you would rather keep on your person: documents, jewelry, hard drives, medication. Movers exclude hazardous liquids for safety, and the irreplaceables ride with you not because a crew can’t carry them, but because no coverage can replace them.