Moving Heavy Things – How to Move Bulky Items
Moving heavy things can be a daunting task, whether you’re shifting a grand piano or relocating industrial machinery. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 30,000 Americans are injured each year while moving large items in their homes. If you’re planning on doing the same thing, here’s expert advice to help you relocate efficiently and safely.
To move heavy items effectively, first ensure you have the proper equipment like dollies, lifting straps, and furniture sliders. Clear a path from the item’s current location to the moving truck, removing any obstacles and hazards. Engage in proper lifting techniques, using your legs rather than your back to lift, and always push heavy items rather than pulling them to reduce strain. For exceptionally bulky or valuable items, consider enlisting professional movers who can safely manage the weight and provide the necessary insurance coverage.
How to Begin With Moving Heavy Things?
First, let us get started with what exactly you will need to make sure that your bulky furniture is transported safely and in one piece. You’re not the first nor the last person wondering how do you move large furniture alone.
From the best techniques, you can use various tools and equipment which can make the whole relocation process easier. You should keep these in mind, along with the most common moving mistakes you should avoid. All of these tips should help if you’re planning on leaving your large items in storage unit for a while, too.
Should I Move All the Bulky Stuff from My Home?
Deciding whether to move all the bulky items from your home involves careful consideration of cost, necessity, and practicality. Over 50 years, the average American household has nearly tripled in size. Which means, there are a lot more stuff to transport once you decide it’s time to move.
Assessing each bulky item’s value and utility can help determine if it’s worth the effort and cost to transport or if it might be time to let go and lighten your load. This approach not only simplifies your move but can also lead to a fresh, uncluttered start in your new home.
What Tools Are the Best to Use When Lifting Heavy Objects?
There are all kinds of tools that you can use to lift cumbersome items. Whether it is a piece of furniture, or boxes full of heavy books, nothing in the world can seem so heavy as lifting things such as furniture without proper equipment. Depending on your financial situation and your plans for the future, you will have two options.
If you’re relocating on a budget, you can rent the necessary tools and supplies, or ask someone who used them and borrow these things for free. On the other hand, you can buy them if you think you’ll be using them a lot in the future.
- Moving dollies– one of the most common tools when it comes to relocation, which comes in two varieties, is a two-wheel dolly or the larger four-wheel dolly. You can find them for an affordable price or rent them out.
- Lifting straps– a very handy device that can help to distribute the weight of the item you’re carrying. They are easy to use and can be adjusted to suit your needs, which is why builders use them.
- Furniture sliders– when transporting heavy furniture, you will be concerned both about your possessions as well as the floors you’re transporting them across. Furniture sliders are placed between them to help in avoiding any damages to your carpets and floors.
Like Professional Long-Distance Movers, You Can Learn the Technique Too
One of the most important tips is to put safety as your number one priority. Forget about the things you used: bare hands and improvised tools. No matter how strong and healthy you are, you have to keep in mind that you can get injured when lifting furniture or a pile of books.
Another essential tips is to use your legs, not your back, to carry any hefty items. So instead of bending over, you should squat down and lift. And while you’re carrying your bulky sofa, don’t twist or make any fast movements. This is one of the main reasons for relocation-related injuries, and nothing in the world can hurt like a twisted ankle, especially if something else falls on top of your leg.
Do not pull your belongings, as this puts a lot of stress on your back – push instead, it’s far safer and much easier to do. Whether you’re wondering how to prepare your piano for a move or any large piece of furniture, you should follow these lifting techniques. And always make sure you have a clear view of the space, so do not add too many things on a pile, because if something is hindering your view, you can trip or hit a wall.
Manage Your Move and Plan Every Step in Advance
Once you’ve sorted out all of the equipment you will need for the task, it’s time to organize the whole relocation process. Especially if you’re relocating during the holidays, you will want to have the entire process on a tight schedule. Of course, you can always book experienced moving and car shipping company such as Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving.
Auto-Transport
If your first concern is having your vehicle transported safely and efficiently, enclose shipping is the way to go.
Read moreMoving Insurance
Flat Price Moving and Auto Transport Company offers moving insurance to cover potential damages
Read moreStorage Service
Knowing what kind of surprises cross country move may hold, we offer 30 day free storage for belongings at the origin state.
Read moreTake Some Time to Make a Strategic Plan
Take as much time as you need to plan everything out. You can use blank pages to create an inventory list of your heavier belongings, plan when to move them and where to store them. The easiest way to go about this would be to go from the bulkiest and heaviest to the smaller ones. From the heavy objects that perhaps require help, to a book. Remember that safety is your number one priority throughout the relocation process. So make sure that you have a clear path to the truck, no slippery surfaces or items in the way as you’re transporting the cumbersome belongings.
You can create an inventory list of your heavier belongings, plan when to move them and where to store them. The easiest way to go about this would be to go from the bulkiest and heaviest to the smaller ones.
Never Move Heavy Items Upstairs Alone Without Experienced Long-Distance Moving Company
Do not judge a book by its cover, because some smaller objects can seem lighter than they are, and moving them can hurt you seriously. One of the most common questions when cross-country moving bulky items is how to move them up and downstairs. This makes the whole process much more complicated and daunting. And the most crucial advice is to never do it by yourself, even if it’s a smaller but heavier item you’re worried about.
Hire Experienced Moving and Auto Transport to Help You With the Lifting
The safest way to go about it so as to have the person who is lower on the stairs be the captain. They will set the pace, while the other person follows. Take your time to do it as safely as possible, and take a rest if needed.
In case you’re afraid of messing this up, it may be more advisable to book cross-country movers for their packing services and overall long-distance moving services and leave it to the professionals. And one of the best things with Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving is that all this work will already be included in the initial quote. So, contact us today and we’ll take care of your bulky things with care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Heavy Things
What Equipment Do I Need to Move Heavy Items Safely?
Essential tools include a sturdy dolly, furniture sliders, lifting straps, and moving blankets. A dolly is indispensable for transporting large appliances and furniture, while furniture sliders can protect your floors and make it easier to push heavy items across a room. Lifting straps reduce the strain on your back, and moving blankets protect your items from scratches and dings during transport.
How Do I Prepare Large Furniture for Moving?
Start by cleaning each piece to prevent dirt from transferring to your new home. Remove any detachable parts such as legs, shelves, or drawers to lighten the load and minimize damage. Secure doors and remaining drawers with stretch wrap or moving straps.
Is It Worth Hiring Professionals to Move Heavy Items?
Hiring professionals can be a worthwhile investment, especially when dealing with particularly heavy or valuable items. Professional relocation crew is trained to handle bulky items efficiently and have access to the necessary tools and equipment to do the job safely.