Moving Yourself? Some Tips to Minimize Furniture Damage

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Services for Real Estate Pros with pha logistix inc

 

Moving Yourself?  Some Tips to Minimize Furniture Damage

Moving is so stressful, especially when you decide to do it yourself!.. Many folks think they save a lot of money by corralling their friends and family to help them move. And, sometimes they do! 

Some other folks turn to Craig’s List or other websites to hire freelance people to help them load and unload their furniture and boxes.

For those DIYers, here are some tips to help minimize damage to your furniture during a move:

Damaged TablePad your furniture well!! This is the number one way to minimize damage… by wrapping your furniture with moving blankets and securing it well with tape, your items will receive less nicks and scratches. Of course it’s also important to not “shove” the item into a spot while loading your truck…

Load your truck in sections…½ of all your boxes get loaded first – nice and tight, from floor to ceiling and side to side.  Next comes furniture – couches stand up on their sides, as do kitchen or dining room tables (legs out or removed).  Fill in open spaces with chairs and/or dressers.

Fill in any holes with soft bulky items – duffel bags, golf clubs, sports equipment/racks, wardrobe boxes (if you’re using) and bags of clothing. Next is the last ½ of your boxes… and then the box spring to your bed… if you have any artwork, stand it up against the box spring. Same holds true for glass tops from tables – finally, your mattress.

Be sure to secure everything with tie downs (or rope) – it prevents items from shifting too much during the drive to your destination.

It goes without saying that anything really precious to you should be taken by hand in your car…

Don’t forget… A Happy Move is an Organized Move!

Comments (20)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Peggy- what great advice.  I've moved a quite a bit and watched the packers as well as the movers.   In all of my moves I've had only 1 or 2 items broken and it was from improper packing.  Thanks, Peggy!

Jan 10, 2013 03:28 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Your welcome, Kathy - and thanks for commenting.  This table top had some thin paper wrapped around it, and, it was "shoved" into a corner of a POD and not secured.  One of the downsides of hiring labor from a general website...

Jan 10, 2013 04:10 AM
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

This was a very generous post for you to do.  It would be like me doing a primer on how to sell your home on your own.  The only thing you left out of the post was see a therapist.  You should not move yourself and the people who say they will come and help, never show up.

Jan 10, 2013 04:55 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Hi Liz... of course a therapist is always useful to have around during a move!!

So many people DO move themselves - I'd rather they did it right.  And, since there aren't any legal pitfalls involved, I don't mind sharing my knowledge. 

Have a wonderful 2013!

Jan 10, 2013 05:12 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Peggy, good advice.  We moved ourselves from Arlington VA to Lewisburg WV...nothing broke.  except a glass that my husband broke while unpacking.  Your advice is right on because that is how we packed the truck.

Jan 12, 2013 11:42 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Peggy.... packing the truck is half the battle.... the other half is the chore of unpacking it!!!!  the wise mover will call a professional mover like PHA for the safe, carefree move.

Jan 12, 2013 09:38 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jan 12, 2013 09:40 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Moving and not damaging things is an art form, and you've spelled it out here Peggy.  Excellent post and advice.

Jan 12, 2013 10:11 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Peggy,

Somehow I missed this post! I'm coming over from Kathy's Sunday morning post on her Ah-ha moments for the week! She was certainly right you have outlined some great tips to minimizing damage when moving!

Jan 12, 2013 11:36 PM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Some people instictively know how to pack a truck - so happy you're one of them, Rebecca!

And I'm fortunate to have some moving companies do just that, Barbara... have a great Sunday..

Jan 13, 2013 12:31 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Kathy - thanks so much for including my post in your weekly wrap-up.  Much appreciated!

Jan 13, 2013 12:32 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Thank you, Roger.... like you and your decorating, you have to have an "eye" for things...

Glad to be of help, Dorie!

Jan 13, 2013 12:35 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

A happy move are not generally words that go well together, but, any good advice is appreciated.

Jan 13, 2013 02:24 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Peggy moving yourself if done incorrectly can be costly.  You have shared some great tips as to how to do it successfully.

Thank you.

Jan 13, 2013 03:41 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Good tips Peggy.  There is truly an art to moving an entire household.  If one can do it, it's best to hire a professional mover.  My suggestion:  Contact Peggy!

Jan 13, 2013 05:52 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Peggy-Great tips. I wonder how many begin loading without a real plan. Your suggestions are well thought.

Jan 13, 2013 07:22 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Hi Jill... it is actually possible to have a happy move... thanks for stopping by!

Hope you can pass on the tips to your clients, Jennifer!

Thank you so much, Carla...

Wayne - not having a plan is a major mistake!

Jan 15, 2013 01:13 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Just checking in to see what's up in the world of Peggy Hughes Associates -- and I find this great article, full of helpful hints. The best moving idea I have is to hire a professional--like you!

May 24, 2013 01:08 AM
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA
Thanks so much for your kind words, Lottie! Business has been booming - haven't stopped since 1/2/13 so blogging is on the back burner. I'm very lucky. Hope you are busy as well :)
May 24, 2013 08:48 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO, CVPO
Casual Uncluttering LLC - Woodinville, WA
Professional Organizer: Puget Sound homes

I LOVE YOUR TAGLINE!

Sep 29, 2016 12:58 PM