By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
There are times when you need a professional mover to help. An experienced professional mover can move heavy, large, and valuable pieces more quickly and with lots less headache than friends and neighbors, and with a lot less stress for you.
The only people who think moving a piano is no big deal are the ones who have not tried it. Pianos are delicate instruments and are notoriously difficult to move. If you want to give it a shot, you will need quilted blankets for wrapping, heavy-duty moving straps, and a furniture dolly. You will also need a wide berth to steer it through the house and onto the truck, and several people to lift it up and move it. Crucial point--a piano must stay in the upright position with the lid securely closed while it is being moved. If you have either stairs or any size grand piano, hire a professional moving company to do the job. Ask about their experience with pianos when you call.
Most appliances are not worth moving, but if yours are relatively new or specialized (wine cellars, refrigerator drawers), you might want to bring them along. Before you commit to moving them yourself, think about whether you really can pull this off. A new smart refrigerator weighs north of 300 lbs. and is not only heavy, it is awkward and bulky. All these new machines are a lot more delicate than your mom's Frigidaire; they are touchy computers and need to be handled with care.
Likewise, TV sets are lighter in weight than ever, but much more fragile. Not only is the screen delicate, but smart TVs are basically computers and need to be handled as such. Do not skimp on packing materials for your TV--wrap it securely with bubble wrap (not too tight) and make sure it stays upright and protected. You can get a special TV box for your sets; they are padded and sized right so you do not have to worry whether you have gotten it right.
A professional moving company can not only manage the physical move but disconnect and reconnect everything properly.
You might wonder how all those large pieces of furniture got through your doors. The doors did not shrink, but chances are you have forgotten that the furniture came in unassembled. If you are trying a DIY move, get out your tools, and plan to spend some time taking things apart. For furniture that is all in one piece, you will need a few things. A furniture dolly, moving straps, and moving blankets will all make the job easier, as will the right lifting technique--always lift from your legs, not your back. Push the piece rather than pulling it.
If these tips seem overwhelming, you need to book movers to handle your heavy furniture. A professional crew knows how to disassemble things that come apart, and safely transport the things that do not.
Now that big and heavy are out of the way, what about the valuables? Artwork and heirlooms present their own challenges to transport safely, but with patience and planning you can move these items. Pack these items with abundant padding--bubble wrap, newsprint, peanuts, or a combination--and box them snugly. Invest in crates for large pieces of art--it is worth it to move a painting safely to your new home.
If you are seriously considering moving yourself, take the time to inventory everything in your house to determine if that is realistic. Many homeowners ultimately make the decision to use a professional moving company but leaving yourself time to find the right moving company is essential.
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