Opinion
Preventing risks when moving heavy items
Transporting bulky or heavy items from a condo while moving out requires careful planning. Unlike houses, condos often have space limitations, strict moving regulations, and shared areas to navigate.
If you have extremely heavy furniture, hiring experienced movers can prevent injury and damage. Residential movers Victoria have specialized equipment for lifting and maneuvering bulky items, and they can navigate condos efficiently, avoiding delays and complications. If you don’t have enough budget, use the following advice for safely moving heavy furniture and other large items from a condo:
Check building policies
Many condos have specific moving policies, so check with your building management in advance. Confirm moving hours, as many condos restrict moving times to weekdays or certain hours. Check out parking spots and elevator availability. Some buildings require booking an elevator in advance to avoid congestion.
Measure doorways
Start with measuring large furniture pieces such as sofas, beds, or desks, to determine if they need to be disassembled. Before moving furniture, ensure it will fit through doorways, hallways, and the elevator. Measure the service elevator interior and door clearance to ensure bulky items can be loaded safely. Stairwells can be a backup option, but in this case think about moving equipment.
Disassemble large furniture if possible
- Remove legs, headboards, and shelves from beds, tables, and large cabinets.
- Take apart modular sofas and sectional furniture, if you can.
- Secure small parts such as screws and bolts in labeled bags and tape them to the main piece of furniture.
Avoid injuries
Work in pairs when moving particularly heavy or awkward items, and take breaks as needed to avoid fatigue or muscle strain. The best way to avoid injury is to use proper lifting techniques: Lift with your legs, not your back. Bend at the knees and keep your back straight. Take small steps and be careful not to trip.
Use moving equipment
Heavy items should be moved with the right tools to minimize stress and damage.
Furniture dollies are ideal for moving dressers and appliances, lifting straps help distribute weight, and furniture sliders prevent damage to floors and reduce the effort required to move items across rooms. Moving blankets & pads protect furniture and walls from scratches during transport.
Protect walls and door frames
It is important to avoid damaging the floors and walls of your apartment when moving bulky items. In addition to the moving blankets mentioned above, you should also use corner protectors or padding on sharp furniture edges. Protective covers such as cardboard, rugs, or plastic sheeting can prevent floor scratches. Carefully tilt and rotate large items to avoid scratching walls and door frames.
Secure items for transport
Make sure that large pieces of furniture remain stable once they are loaded into the moving truck. Distribute weight evenly in the truck to prevent shifting during transit and use moving straps to secure furniture against the truck’s walls. Cover fragile surfaces with blankets to prevent scratches and dents.
