During certain points in a person’s life, there is a need to move heavy and bulky household appliances. This commonly occurs when an individual or family chooses to move home to climb the property ladder or when there is a need to relocate to secure a better-paying job in a new area. It can often be difficult to decide how to approach moving heavy items. If the process is not undertaken safely and the transport used is not secure, there is a risk of sustaining an injury to yourself or damage to your appliances while in transit. In this article, three factors to consider when moving appliances will be discussed in detail. By reading this, you will be able to organize or facilitate the transport of household appliances safely and efficiently.
To hire a firm or self-transport
The first consideration when moving appliances is whether to transport them yourself or use appliance movers who specialize in moving appliances. A main factor in this decision will be if you own a suitable vehicle to transport the appliances yourself. A family car is not suitable for moving larger household appliances such as cookers and refrigerators. In these circumstances, you will need access to a van or truck that has the capacity to transport large or tall items. Conversely, if you are moving into your first home, you may only have smaller home appliances such as a microwave, and the move can be achieved with one or more trips in a car. In short, the size and number of home appliances you have will dictate whether you can complete the move yourself or will need the help of a specialist removal firm.
Consider the route
If you are moving to a new property that is in a different area or a significant distance away, planning the route is vitally important. In some circumstances, it can be better to take a longer route that may experience delays caused by traffic if it uses main roads that are in better condition than minor or country roads. Many household appliances are fragile and can be damaged in transit even if they are properly secured. Going over bumps and potholes in the road will cause the appliances to vibrate or shudder, increasing the likelihood of them sustaining damage to their internal components. Use a satellite navigation unit or the Google Maps app on your smartphone to look at the route and choose major road networks that are likely to be smooth.
Preparing for transit
When getting ready to move your household appliances, whether you are transporting them or a dedicated removals firm is, it is vital to pack them correctly. Taking the time to protect the edges of the appliances and putting bubble wrap around them before putting them in suitable boxes can mean the difference between them arriving intact or damaged. Consider marking the boxes with arrows to ensure that they are stored upright in the vehicle that transports them. If you are packing multiple smaller appliances into one box, mark the contents clearly with a brief description and which room they will go in on arrival at your new home. Give yourself enough time to achieve this so that you are reassured they will survive the journey, and they are not simply placed in cardboard boxes without added padding. Finally, use straps and other securing devices to keep the appliances firmly stored in the vehicle and prevent them from moving about while in transit.
