June 15, 2022

Special Service Items for Your Household Goods Move

 

When moving appliances or special items, there are several things to consider. Like Meatloaf famously sang “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that”, there are undertakings our movers cannot provide as a result of liability, no matter how much we’d prefer to help. In these cases, you have two options. Let us to coordinate a third-party provider to service these items, or you can prepare them on your own. Below, you’ll find details on the most common specialty items, making it easier for you to decide which process works for you.

Appliances

Moving your appliances is never a problem for us. At the same time, the disconnection and reconnection procedure call for expertise beyond what moving companies can offer. Below are some guidelines to the most commonly moved appliances:

  • Refrigerators– Providing it’s attached to a water line, the line will need to be disconnected. When moving your refrigerator, don’t forget to disconnect it at least 48 hours in advance. You’ll need to anchor the doors open, and put a towel on the floor. It will absorb the water as your appliance defrost. Monitor the towel and change, as needed, depending on how much water it absorbs (plus avoid any water damage to your floor!)
  • Top Load Washers- Luckily, top load washers are crystal clear. All that is required is to disconnect the water.
  • Front Load Washers– Front load washing machines call for additional servicing when when moving. Since the interior drum is suspended inside, a stabilizer kit is essential to hold your drum in place. Moving a front load washing machine without securing the drum with a stabilizer kit is certain to ruin your appliance. Luckily, these kits are usually inexpensive, accessible and easily installed.
    • I already have a stabilizer kit– These are also called “shipping bolts”. It’s likely that when your appliance was delivered, the company left these bolts behind. If this is the case, a quick internet search of your exact model washer ought to provide details on how to reinstall the kit.
    • I need a kit– A website such as repairclinic.com sells the kits. Just type in the make and model of your washer, and order the kit needed for your exact model. Most kits range from $30-$60.
    • You can also contact the company where you purchased your washing machine. It is not uncommon for the installers and delivery crew to set up the washer, remove the stabilizer and take them with them. Many companies have the capability to advise how to get a new kit for your exact model.

Dryers- Given you own an electric dryer, all you need to do is unplug it! Gas dryers, on the other hand, require special attention. The gas line to the residence must be disconnected and capped. Whenever working with gas, it’s important to really take into consideration your personal skills and whether this is a task you are confident you can complete on your own.

Beds

While disassembly and reassembly of standard beds is part of the service you can expect from Corrigan, specialty beds are most likely to be beyond the capabilities of what moving companies can provide. Aside from moving appliances, specialty beds are the next most common items needing special services. Below are some of the most common specialty beds and how to service them.

Cribs– Because of the ever-changing liability and baby products, moving companies do not disassemble or reassemble cribs. If you would rather disassemble your crib on your own, below are a few tips:

  • When possible, have the same person who assembled the crib disassemble it, that is ideal. Being they already have the knowledge of putting it together, taking it apart should be much easier!
  • The crib doesn’t need to be fully taken apart. Disassembling into sections small enough to get through a doorway is all that is necessary.
  • Take a picture of the crib before it is disassembled, and close-ups of the crib throughout the project. That way, you’ll remember where everything belongs along with the location of screws when reassembling it.
  • Don’t forget to keep and label all screws and parts. Placing items in a zip lock bag and packing them somewhere you will remember is crucial.

Bunk Beds– Also due to liability, Corrigan is unable to disassemble bunk beds. Based on the difficulty level of your bed, you may be inclined to do this yourself. The initial step would be to do an internet search for the exact make and model of the bunk bed to see if there’s a video showing the disassembly steps.

Memory Foam Mattresses– Memory foam, and the ever popular “bed in a box”, are required to be boxed and transported laying flat. Your move representative is likely to ask you if your bed is a memory foam or spring mattress. Memory foam mattresses do not require special services, however we do place them in a box verses a mattress bag. This enables the mattress to keep its shape during the transportation process.

Sleep Number Mattress– Sleep number beds require service prior to the move. While some models simply require unplugging and letting the air chambers deflate, others call for more involved service. Sleep Number has this resource to help guide you based on the model of your bed.

Exercise Equipment

Treadmills– Providing your treadmill will fold, then we should be able to move it while folded without any disassembly. At the same time, if your treadmill is located in the basement or needs moved up or down a staircase, consider the width of the stairwell. If there is a turn in the stairs or it’s too close, your treadmill will need to be disassembled to move. Meanwhile, take into consideration where the equipment is going in the new home. It may go up the stairs at your current home, but maybe not at the new home. Make sure to measure both sets of stairs prior to moving.

Elliptical Machines- Due to the bulkiness and awkward weight distribution, almost all ellipticals have to be disassembled. Typically, removing the arms is all that is needed to make the piece moveable. A quick internet search of your product should provide instruction on how to remove the arms.

Pelotons- We have witnessed a large uptick in Peloton and video screen stationary cycles over the last two years. The display screens and various parts need to be removed and correctly packed in order to securely move the bike. It is smart to check with Peloton to ensure disassembling it does not harm your warranty. If that is the case, request recommendations or if they provide this service.

Additional Items

Grandfather clocks– The weights and pendulum need to be removed and attentively packed before moving the clock. Wearing gloves is imperative when working with the weights; the smallest fingerprint can throw off the timing.

Wall Mounted Televisions– Movers cannot remove objects screwed into the walls. The most familiar wall mounted item is the TV. When removed, Corrigan is able to pack the item or you can pack it back in the original box. TV boxes are also available for purchase to ensure appropriate protection while moving.

Corrigan will do anything for our customers, even that!

Don’t worry if you need to move appliances or specialty items as part of your upcoming move. Corrigan can customarily arrange any needed third-party services for you; we partner with local and nationwide providers who specialize in this type of service. We are able to include the cost of these services into your quote from Corrigan, eliminating the need to pay another company (although you may choose to provide payment directly to the third-party company, if preferred.) Corrigan always has our customer’s best interest in mind. There may be services moving companies can’t provide, but when it comes to our customers – we’ll do anything for you!

*Corrigan recommend consulting with your product’s manufacture prior to attempting to disassemble or reassemble any household goods or specialty items yourself. Failure to service items correctly for transporting may result in damage and product failure.

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