Both the home you’re vacating and the one you’re moving into deserving tender loving care. Even if you never liked the space you lived in before moving, there’s no reason to leave behind excessive damage for the next resident. Would you want to move to a house that suffered abuse from its movers or previous owners? Good movers prevent this damage by using moving techniques that coddle your home and its contents like you’d handle a newborn. To protect your home on moving day, peruse these methods.
Advance Preparations
Walk through every room beforehand to troubleshoot spots that may trip you or the movers up. Ensure your house is clean, uncluttered, and free from obstacles. Note narrow entryways, slippery floors, and steep steps and watch out for chandeliers and ceiling fans that hang low, says Smithsonian Institute. Planning how to move pieces and jotting down measurements in advance will ease the process. Using both hands, move furniture slowly and steadily, facing forward, continues Smithsonian Institute. While in tricky moving positions, My Moving Reviews suggests enlisting a “spotter” who will notify you when you’re courting danger. Dress without adornment, so your clothing and accouterment don’t get in the way or caught on anything.
Artwork and Other Valuables
Ensure irreplaceable heirlooms, expensive artwork, and other valuables are packed first, in layers, says Angie’s List, so they’re out of harm’s way. Place them in storage to protect them while you move.
Flooring and Carpeting
You didn’t buff your hardwood floors or shampoo your carpets to see them scratched and soiled. Protect them from foot and furniture treads by placing plastic or cloth tarps down or using plywood sheets or carpet film protectors, recommends My Moving Reviews. If you have extra moving boxes, dismantle them to create a path. Carry furniture across floors and roll up the carpet when necessary. Before entering, wipe your feet on the doormat.
Furniture and Appliances
Take inventory and check your furniture for previous damage, photographing each piece for reference. When delivered, double-check for new damage. Always use straps to secure furniture, and moving pads to cover them. Use a hand cart for further assistance.
Doorways and Walls
Doorways take the brunt of moving day, so protect them by padding them with foam, suggests My Moving Reviews, or temporarily take them off the hinges. Pad narrow hallways, too, so they’re not scratched or dented. Banisters also suffer, even break, says My Moving Reviews, so cover them with moving pads.
How to Protect Your New Home
Once you’ve settled in your new home, now’s the time to safeguard it from damage. By using felt pads under furniture and rubber pads under small kitchen appliances, says Martha Stewart, you can prevent scratches and scuffs. Different pads exist for every type of furniture and household item, so investigate what you need and visit your local home or hardware store, or website to buy them. Other protective measures include doorstops and corner guards that not only prevent marks on walls but protect little ones from bumping their heads. With a little elbow grease and padding, you can protect every surface of your home and keep it looking great, too.