Moving is a big deal in general, but moving furniture is more of a big headache than a big deal. Unless you’re really careful, your furniture will get ruined. Unfortunately, even if you’re super cautious, your stuff can still end up with scratches, broken legs, etc. Just imagine trying to fit a couch through the door and the couch getting stuck. Yikes!
Then, once this whole nightmare is done, you need to reassemble all of it, but there are so many screws and there’s no way you can remember where each goes. Some would even say that the real nightmare starts once you have to unpack everything and put it back together.
But here’s the good news – you can avoid this if you prepare. If you’d just take some extra time to properly disassemble your furniture, protect it, and pack it, you’d save yourself a lot of stress (not to mention the prevented cost of damage during transport). Plus, moving day will go smoother if you’ve made sure everything is organized and ready to go. Let’s take a look at how you can handle moving furniture like a pro.
The Right Way to Disassemble Furniture
Instead of moving everything by yourself, you’ve decided to make it easy and you’ve hired a moving company. How much will this endeavor set you back? Well, that depends on where you live.
Atlanta (Georgia): According to MoveBuddha, moving companies Atlanta residents use will charge you 85 USD on average, but the total, on average, will be anywhere between 313-2,810 USD which will be determined based on distance and the size of your home.
New York City (New York): The Big Apple will be more expensive (than Atlanta) on the lower end, but if you’re moving far away it may actually cost you less, which is surprising with all the urban density and regulations that NYC suffers. You can expect the moving cost to be anywhere from 1,000-2,000 USD. Long-distance moving can hit your budget quite hard, so plan your budget well.
Houston (Texas): Moving companies in Houston charge approx. between 800-1800 USD for local moving, while the cost for long-distance moving can go up by a few thousand. Regardless, the prices in Texas are among the lowest when compared to other parts of the U.S.
San Francisco (California): This is, probably as expected, one of the most expensive towns when it comes to moving. Companies will charge you anywhere from 1,000 to a whopping 2,800 USD per local move. This price is primarily due to the high cost of living in San Franciso. Long-distance moving can cost you up to 8,000 USD
So now that you know what to expect in terms of expenses and you’ve decided on one, you need to disassemble your furniture and get it ready for the move. Instead of panicking and/or feeling overwhelmed, here’s how you do it properly.
1. Get Tools and Supplies
Make sure everything you need is close by; screwdrivers, Allan wrenches, and pliers. You’ll also need plastic zip bags for screws, bolts, and brackets. You can even label the bags so you can match them with their corresponding furniture later on.
2. Take Photos for Reassembly
This is such a simple step, but everyone usually forgets about it. Before you take everything apart, take pictures of your furniture from all angles and focus on areas that have hardware, joints, or just complex features in general. When the time comes to put everything back together, you can use the pictures as a guide.
3. Label Components
Once you’ve disassembled the furniture, label each part so nothing gets mixed up. Masking tape and sticky notes work great for this. If your furniture has a lot of pieces, you can color-code the labels so that everything stays organized.
4. Disassembling Big Items
With big pieces like beds, tables, or bookshelves, you have to break them down into their core components. For your bed, remove the mattress and box spring first, then take the frame apart by detaching the headboard, footboard, and side rails.
For tables, unscrew the legs and detach any extensions. For bookshelves with adjustable shelves, remove the shelves first, then disassemble the frame if you can.
Protecting and Packing the Furniture
Once you’ve taken everything apart, you need to pack it so it doesn’t get damaged in transport.
1. Wrap the Fragile Pieces
Glass panels, mirrors, and anything delicate needs extra attention. Wrap all of this with bubble wrap to protect it and make sure to secure the wrapping with tape so it stays in place. Add an extra layer of bubble wrap to the corners and edges to absorb shock during moving.
2. Use Plastic Wrap for Upholstered Items
Couches, chairs, and other pieces covered in fabric need to be wrapped in plastic, so water and dirt can’t get to them. The plastic will also prevent dirt and odors from transferring onto the fabric. The wrap needs to be snug but not too tight, or it can damage the upholstery.
3. Get Moving Blankets or Pads
You’ll need moving blankets or padded covers for big pieces to prevent dents and scratches. Drape the blanket over the furniture and secure it with tape or straps to make it stay in place.
4. Pack Small Parts Separately
Before you’ve packed everything, remove and pack small parts like screws, bolts, or knobs, and put them into labeled zip-locked bags. Attach the bags to the corresponding furniture so you don’t lose them.
5. Stack Your Furniture Strategically
When you start loading the furniture onto the moving truck, pay attention to how you stack it. Heavier pieces should be at the bottom and lighter or fragile ones should go on top. Make sure the weight is evenly distributed or you risk shifting and tipping during transport.
6. Secure the Furniture
Once everything is loaded, you need to secure it and you’re done. Use straps or bungee cords to secure the furniture in place. This way, they won’t shift or fall during transport. Everything has to be tightly secured so there’s less risk of damage.
Conclusion
And that’s how you move your furniture without having to worry it will get damaged by the time it gets to your new home! It will take you some time to disassemble and arrange everything, but once you get to your new location, you’ll thank yourself for being meticulous with labeling and separating pieces. Moving is a lot easier if you stay organized every step of the way.