When it comes to planning your move, whether it’s across the country or just a state over, you’re going to need to start with lots of preparation. Having a plan in place is going to make the move all the more smooth and efficient. But where do you start? Transporting your entire household–people, pets, and belongings–is a big task.
With decades of experience of moving families and individuals and all their possessions to new locations across the country, our team at Colonial Van Lines can definitively say we know a thing or two about how to start preparing for your move. There are a lot of tasks to check off your moving list, however, when it comes to the part where you physically have to move things out of your home, we do have one piece of advice: the right moving equipment can and will make all the difference.
Types of Necessary Moving Equipment
Moving day necessities come in all shapes and sizes, including the types of equipment you’ll be using the day of the move. We’ve compiled a list of equipment, including furniture moving equipment, tools, and other things that fall under the category of things that can make your move more efficient:
Moving Vehicle
The moving vehicle is the first and arguably most important piece of moving equipment you’ll need. If you’re moving a shorter distance away, just another city over for instance, you could try to transport things yourself in your own vehicles. However, moving vans and trucks alike are designed to take on large cumbersome items like furniture that your minivan just won’t be able to handle.
You could possibly borrow a friend’s truck for the move as well, but again, pickup trucks can only take on so much with their limited bed space. Planning your move in advance should involve knowing how much space you’re going to take up, how many trips it might take, and whether or not a rental truck or van is going to be the better option.
Dolly
A moving dolly is going to make a world of difference during your move. They will help you save time and energy that would otherwise be spent lifting and transporting your possessions into the moving vehicle. There are furniture and utility dollies, both of which are designed to handle different types of luggage.
Furniture dollies are ideal for moving large, awkwardly shaped things such as your furniture and can handle weights of up to 1,000 lbs. Utility dollies are upright and L-shaped, also capable of moving furniture and other items up to 600 lbs. around.
Furniture Sliders
Furniture sliders are pieces of plastic and rubber that will help you move your furniture more smoothly. They work particularly well on heavy furniture items. You’ll protect your floors from damage and your back from straining when you implement the use of this type of moving equipment. Just place a slider under each leg of the piece of furniture and then push the item.
Moving Blankets and Pads
Moving blankets and pads serve to protect your furniture and other easily-damaged items during a move. You should use them to wrap up such items once they’ve been placed in the moving truck or van. Use some packing tape to secure the blankets in place once you’ve wrapped them around your furniture.
Tool Kit
A basic tool kit should provide you with all kinds of handy tools such as scissors, a tape measurer, a flashlight, a utility knife, and pliers. Each of these could be potentially useful as you move large piece of furniture, pack up items, and work to dissemble other items to better pack them.
Ropes and Straps
Use ropes and straps to secure items to the furniture or utility dollies as you transport them. The dollies make it easier to move things, but you might just damage things if they aren’t secured to the dolly first.
Gloves
You’ll want to invest or at least borrow a good pair of protective gloves during a move. You’re going to be using your hands a lot as you pack and move things. Protect them from splinters, sharp objects, and potential cuts by putting on a pair of reliable gloves.
Plan and Execute Your Move with Colonial Van Lines
Contact Colonial Van Lines today to discuss our packing services and discover how we can help make your move more efficient and successful.
