Moving boxes is one thing. Moving a refrigerator down a narrow staircase or getting a washing machine into a truck is another. These appliances are heavy, expensive to replace, and connected to the systems that make a home work. Whether you plan to handle the move yourself or hire appliance movers services, a few decisions made before moving day can help prevent damaged floors, water leaks, and expensive repairs.
The biggest mistakes often happen before anyone lifts the appliance: forgetting to drain a hose, losing the washer's shipping bolts, or discovering that the fridge will not fit through the new kitchen doorway. Here is a practical guide to preparing the three appliances most households worry about.
Measure the Appliances and Every Doorway
Before disconnecting anything, measure the height, width, and depth of your refrigerator, washer, and dryer. Include protruding handles and hinges. Then measure the route from each appliance to the truck, as well as the route from the truck to its new position.Check hallway turns, stair landings, door frames, elevator doors, and the space needed to maneuver a dolly. A refrigerator might fit through an apartment entrance but fail at the turn into the kitchen. Measure the final installation space, too, including the ventilation clearance required by the manufacturer.
If a door must be removed or an appliance requires partial disassembly, arrange that before moving day. Do not assume a moving crew will automatically remove doors, handle electrical work, or modify the building.
Decide Whether an Older Appliance Is Worth Moving
Sometimes the best moving plan is not to move the appliance at all. Compare the cost of transporting it with its age, condition, energy use, expected repair needs, and the price of a replacement delivered to the new home.This matters most with long-distance moves and tight apartments. An oversized refrigerator may be perfect in your current kitchen but awkward in a smaller rental. A washer that has needed repeated repairs could cost more to transport and reconnect than it is worth.
If the appliance is staying, clarify whether it is included in the home sale or rental agreement. If you are taking it, make sure its dimensions and utility requirements work at the new address.
How to Prepare a Refrigerator for Moving
Start with the food. Plan meals around what is already in the fridge and freezer so there is less to throw away. Move perishable food into suitable cold storage or use it before you unplug the appliance. Do not assume that a packed cooler will keep food safe indefinitely.If your refrigerator has an ice maker or water dispenser, follow the owner's manual for shutting off the water supply and preparing the water line. Disconnecting plumbing may require help, especially if valves or fittings are difficult to access.
Remove and protect loose shelves, drawers, and glass components as directed by the manufacturer. Clean the interior, allow it to defrost if needed, and dry it thoroughly so moisture does not sit inside during the trip. Protect the exterior with moving blankets and secure doors without placing adhesive tape directly on a delicate finish.
Transport the refrigerator upright whenever possible. If its design requires another position, consult the manufacturer's instructions first. After delivery, check the model-specific guidance on how long it should stand before power is restored; do not rely on one universal waiting time. Allow the appliance to reach a safe food-storage temperature before restocking it.
How to Prepare a Washing Machine for Transport
Washing machines need more preparation than many people expect because they contain water connections and a suspended drum. Turn off the water supply, unplug the machine, and carefully drain any remaining water from the hoses and accessible drain points according to the manual. Keep towels and a shallow container nearby.Many front-loading washers require transport bolts or another manufacturer-approved shipping system to stabilize the drum during a move. The original bolts are often stored in a drawer after installation, so search for them well before moving day. If they are missing, contact the manufacturer or an authorized technician for the correct solution rather than improvising with materials inside the drum.
Secure hoses and the power cord for transport, and keep accessories together in a labeled bag. At the new home, make sure the shipping hardware is removed before the first wash. Level the machine, confirm the hoses are correctly connected, and check for leaks during a supervised test cycle.
What About Moving a Dryer?
A dryer may be lighter than a washing machine, but it still requires planning. Unplug an electric dryer and prepare the vent connection according to the owner's manual. Clean accessible lint from the vent system before reassembly and check that the new location has the correct electrical supply and venting arrangement.Gas dryers require additional caution. Have a qualified professional handle gas disconnection and reconnection in accordance with local rules and the appliance instructions. Do not treat a gas line as a standard plug-and-play connection.
If your washer and dryer are stacked, check the manufacturer's directions for separating and moving the units. Never assume the stacked pair can be lifted or transported as one piece.
Protect Floors, Walls, and the Appliances Themselves
Large appliances can damage a home before they ever reach the truck. Use the right appliance dolly, load-rated straps, protective blankets, and floor coverings for the equipment and route. Do not try to drag a refrigerator or washer across hardwood or tile.Clear children, pets, and loose boxes from the moving path. Sharp corners, stairs, and tight turns are good reasons to bring in trained help instead of relying on a friend who happens to be available. Confirm that the crew can secure each appliance during transport and keep it in the position recommended by the manufacturer.
Before loading, photograph the condition of each unit and note any existing dents or scratches. Take a photo of the hookups as a reference for a qualified installer if needed.
Know What Your Movers Will—and Won't—Do
A moving company may be responsible for padding, loading, transporting, and placing appliances, while a plumber or appliance technician handles certain disconnections and installations. These roles are not automatically included in the same quote.Ask for written confirmation about stairs, elevator access, appliance preparation, liability coverage, insurance or valuation options, and any extra fees. Explain if your refrigerator has a water line or your dryer uses gas. Clear responsibilities are much easier to manage before the truck arrives than in the middle of a move.
Moving-Day Appliance Checklist
- Before pickup: Photograph appliances; measure the route; empty and dry the refrigerator; drain the washer; secure model-specific transport hardware; confirm utility disconnections.
- During loading: Protect doors and floors; use suitable handling equipment; verify that appliances are upright or positioned as the manufacturer permits; secure them against movement.
- At delivery: Check for visible damage; confirm placement and clearances; have qualified people restore connections where required; remove washer shipping bolts before use.
- Before regular use: Follow the refrigerator's restart instructions; allow safe cooling; level the washer; inspect water connections and test for leaks; verify dryer venting and operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a refrigerator be moved on its side?
Upright is generally preferred. Some models permit side transport under specific conditions, while others have restrictions. Use the instructions for your exact model and follow its restart guidance after the move.
Do movers disconnect washers and dryers?
Some do limited preparation, but many do not handle plumbing, gas, or hard-wired electrical connections. Always ask what is included and arrange a qualified professional when necessary.
What if the washing machine's shipping bolts are missing?
Check the manual or contact the manufacturer or an authorized technician for model-specific transport parts. Do not run the washer with shipping bolts installed after it reaches its destination.
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