Moving Blog
March 07, 2020

DIYing Your Move? Leave These Things to the Pros

Moving to a new homeBy Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Like you're not stressed enough with your upcoming move, you've got to figure out the logistics of moving prep--do you do it yourself, or hire a crew to do it for you? If you're using a full-service moving company, you have the option of a full-service move--all you must do is get out of the way and let the professional movers do their thing. If you're more the DIY type and planning on renting a truck and relying on friends, you might want to reconsider that plan.
 

Aside from saving your back, and your friendships, there are other reasons to hire a moving company to pack and transport your household goods. For one thing, these people are pros and know how to pad and pack your valuables. They're also insured--if you drop Great-Aunt Gertrude's crystal in the driveway, it's on you. If your professional mover doesn't get it just right and things break, no problem--it's covered.

What's Really More Difficult to Move? Gym Equipment or Fine China?

Seems like a dumb question, right? Wrong.

If you pack a box of china and wrap everything well, chances are good that it will survive some bumps and maybe even a small drop. If you try to move a heavy piece of exercise equipment--say you got a Peloton for Christmas--and you lose your grip and it slips to the ground, that bike is going to fare worse than the small box. You can buy replacement plates on eBay, but repairing that Peloton isn't going to be cheap.

You've got a lot invested in your gym equipment, so hiring a moving company to take things apart and transport them properly is well worth what you'll spend on professional help.

Art and Antiques

If you have any fine art or antiques, it's worth it to have them professionally packed and transported. These items are typically insured on a rider that is separate from your basic homeowner's policy--check the fine print about moving. There may well be a clause that you have to use professionals for coverage to be effective.

Another reason to use a moving company to deal with your fine pieces is that they have the tools and know-how to build custom crates and boxes for oddly shaped things like large mirrors, sculptures, paintings, and the like.

It Ain't Heavy, It's Just a Sleeper Sofa

Okay, you're thinking, I've got a truck with a lift gate, some hand trucks, and a bunch of quilts and tape, and my buds are strong guys. We can do this, no problem. Of course, you can. But is it really a good idea?

Moving that sofa across the room is one thing. Move it out of the house, across the driveway and into the truck is a whole different project, and unless it's a straight flat line from point A to point B, it's going to eat up a lot of the clock. Multiply that sofa by chairs, tables, mattresses, other sofas, and a lawn mower, and that's not worth a cold beer and a pizza.

Moving to The Music

Then there's the dreaded piano--are you comfortable moving that? Even an upright weighs around 300 pounds, and a baby grand is easily over 1000 pounds. There's close to 18 tons of pressure on the strings--and one can snap in a second of you don't know what you're doing. Not to mention the scratches on a hardwood floor--you've got to lift it up onto casters or a piano dolly, so you don't leave gouges in the wood.

String instruments are also fragile and should be moved in their cases. If you don't have the case, a professional can fashion a crate for the instrument, wrap it gently in bubble wrap, and then, they know exactly where to put it on the truck.

Knowing how to pack the truck is an art form, and you should leave all your heavy, fragile, and special things to the professional movers. But, feel free to pack your own socks.

 

Request a free quote

 
REAL PEOPLE. GREAT EXPERIENCES.
The Mickelson Family
review-couple
review-map
The Mickelson Family
Best. Move. Ever!
Very pleased with the overall respect and care the men gave to my possessions. Even mailing me very quickly the only thing lost in transit. Would recommend to anyone needing a long distant move.

Almost there...

Tell us a little more about yourself!
(Contact information is required to submit form.)