Moving is a complicated process, but the size and weight of your household items can make it even harder to remove your furniture successfully and cheaply. Everything from a custom wood cabinet to a grand piano can raise your moving bill, so be prepared to take on that extra cost.
The Most Expensive Household Items to Relocate or Move
Whether you’re moving heavy objects up the stairs or your whole house across the States, hiring affordable movers will help minimize your overall costs, especially for the following items.
1. Bulkier Furniture
Before moving, you should disassemble large pieces of furniture, if possible. Large, intact pieces of furniture require specialty crates, must be wrapped with bubble wrap, and secured with tape to ship safely. Depending on the piece, you may need to order a custom crate.
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2. Electronic Devices
Most electronics aren’t expensive to move. However, they’ll require adequate preparation for safe transport, like taking out any batteries. Batteries could explode in extreme heat or freezing temperatures. Charge rechargeable batteries before moving to protect them from damage.
With that said, flat-screen TVs are incredibly delicate and expensive to move compared to other electronics. If you still have the original box, use it for the move. Otherwise, find a similar box and stuff it with bubble wrap, newspaper, and styrofoam. Make sure there are no empty spaces.
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3. King-Size Mattresses
All mattress sizes are difficult to move, whether they’re Twins or Queens, but the King is the most challenging. As it’s a less common mattress size, King-size protective mattress bags are expensive and typically not available through your moving company unless you request it.
4. Musical Instruments
Musical instruments that are small, compact, and fit in their own case are simple to move. Even without a case, you can get away with throwing them in a small box. However, drums and string instruments are vulnerable and prone to scratching and should be packed carefully.
On the other hand, pianos are the hardest instrument and household item to move. For this reason, you should hire specialty piano movers for the job. They’ll come at a higher expense, but it’s easy to justify. You’ll really want to protect your $10,000 to $200,000 investment.
5. Large Area Rugs
Depending on the size of the rug, you’ll need a moving truck to transport them. That means you need to pay for larger moving equipment, even when you otherwise wouldn’t need to. If you plan on deep cleaning your rug or protecting it with a plastic bag, you’ll have to pay even more.
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6. Antiques or Paintings
Antiques are irreplaceable and must be handled with care. You’ll have to pull out all the bells and whistles to keep antiques safe, such as tape, crates, bubble wrap, and blankets. Consider hiring a moving company that specializes in moving antiques and collectibles, just to be safe.
Paintings can be just as delicate as many antiques, but for different reasons. Most paints are vulnerable to hot or cold temperatures and high humidity. To wrap paintings, use Glassine, as it’s air and water-resistant. Finish with bubble wrap and use foam or cardboard for the corners.
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7. Heavy or Large Safes
Safes are both costly and hard to move, so reevaluate if you actually want to take them with you. It’s usually cheaper to buy and transport a new safe. If you must take it with you, give your movers the exact weight of the safe, so they can bring the right equipment and staff for the job.
In Conclusion…
Certain items can be more expensive to move for multiple reasons. Antiques, electronics, and small instruments must be handled carefully, whereas safes, mattresses, and furniture are too large and awkward to handle. Before moving, take note of these potential costs for your budget.
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