Moving Equipment: List of Essential Tools for Moving
Table of Contents
- 1. What Equipment and Tools Are Necessary for a Move?
- 2. Other Moving Tools and Equipment
- 3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Moving is a huge responsibility, and one of the parts of organizing a successful move is preparing all the equipment that is required. But which tools are required for a move? We have limited the list of endless possibilities to a few essentials. Each of these items can make a significant difference when it comes to moving furniture and other possessions.
What Equipment and Tools Are Necessary for a Move?
Below, you will find a guide on the essential tools needed for the appliance of furniture, repair touch-ups, and more. You may study this list now, or come back to it any other time, once you start gathering tools for moving.
Box Cutter
Boxes aren’t always easy to open after they have been secured. And even when they are, some people aren’t comfortable using scissors. A cardboard box cutter is specifically designed to slice the seams of the box where the tape is holding it together. This helps unseal the box with the least complication and damage possible, and you can always reuse the box in the future in brand condition.
Boxes and Plastic Bags
A standard and reliable way of packing involves organizing your stuff into categories, such as clothing, kitchen utensils, gifts, fragile items, and so on. And even if you’ve never moved before, you have probably used boxes and plastic bags plenty of times. You will be using them in this case too. An immediate advantage is that both moving boxes and plastic bags are extremely cheap to purchase.
Moving Dolly
Professional residential movers often use a moving dolly during their day at the job, as it guarantees both time-efficiency and safety. Since many boxes and containers may be heavy, moving dollies help avoid serious injuries in case a box or container gets dropped. The utility dolly is particularly useful for moving boxes of supplies. Meanwhile, the furniture dolly would be perfectly suitable for large items, such as couches or other furniture.
Moving Blankets and Pads
One usually wouldn’t think of a blanket or pad as a moving essential, but you’d be surprised! This is another item that professionals often use to relocate items from an old home to a new one. Moving blankets and pads are there to guarantee safety and protect fragile surfaces. It’s easy to find good-quality blankets and pads that eliminate the possibility of scratches and cuts.
Moving Straps and Rope
You will need moving straps, also known as shoulder lifting straps or furniture straps. They help lift the weight off your shoulders – literally! – by shifting the mass evenly across your body. For rope, we suggest choosing nylon rope as it can easily be found in hardware stores, and is very reliable to use. However, stay away from more fragile materials, such as braided rope, as they are more susceptible towards tearing apart.
Moving Van
To relocate your possessions and later arrange them in your new home, you are going to need a vehicle first and foremost. When choosing a vehicle, you have a few options. If you can drive and aren’t carrying that much stuff, you can make a regular easy trip. Otherwise, consider turning to the services provided by residential movers, which is a more suitable option for moving more items.
Tool Kit
A tool kit isn’t only beneficial on moving day and the few days prior. Due to how practical it is, it’s best to keep one in your home at all times. Whether you are just completing a few minor touch-ups in your apartment or beginning a brand-new project, you will find many necessities in a tool kit. There are dozens of available toolkit models with different options, but all of them provide absolute essentials such as hammers and wrenches.
Other Moving Tools and Equipment
We have now gone over the basics that you will need on moving day. You may wonder: what about the day after? Is the work almost done?
Not quite! There are a lot of details and aspects that go into the moving process, which one must consider. Locating in your new home may feel relaxing, but as soon as you are there, you realize getting everything back together is the most exhausting bit.
If you turn to the assistance of all these items, properly selected for every task, the move will not be all that challenging. Of course, there’s no need to assemble everything right on moving day, so use your own discretion when evaluating the list below!
Allen Wrench
Moving to another place likely required you to disassemble some larger pieces of furniture. You will now need the Allen wrench to put them back together. The Allen wrench works for a variety of items, such as shelves or armchairs. It’s only possible inconvenience is that it only works for bolts with hexagonal recesses.
Anchors
No studs? No problem! Even in their absence, anchors can guarantee there is a strong attachment between the wall and the object you’re hanging. This is why anchors are recommended for hanging large items on the walls, such as large shelves, mirrors, or heavy artwork. Hiring fine art movers can be a great option if you’re not so confident about the installment of heavier, valuable pieces.
Command Strips
Usually, it would make sense to drill holes into the wall to hang up items such as artwork. However, that doesn’t have to be the case! If you have petite items that need hanging, such as lightweight picture frames, use command strips to assemble them instead. These are also incredibly beneficial, due to the fact they cause no damage to the walls.
Electric Drill
Before your moving time, SEKA Moving recommends purchasing a cordless electric drill. This essential will assist you in locating items in your new place, such as drilling holes in the walls to install the furniture. Electric drills are great to use for boring holes before driving screws into the walls. It is unquestionably a lot more comfortable to use than a hand-powered tool.
Furniture Sliders
Have you lived your whole life without having heard of these? No big deal, as we are here to kindly inform you! Furniture sliders, aka furniture gliders, are pieces made of rubber or hard plastic and covered with cushions. The purpose of these little inventions is to help furniture move more smoothly on house carpets and floors.
Hammer
A hammer is a must-have in any home when it comes to furniture. It can help you initially when assembling nails and screws. Hammers can also be used for carpentry, nail pulling, riveting, bending metal, and more, depending on the type of hammer. In this case, however, stick with the simplest version – the claw hammer, since you won’t be doing any extraordinarily hard work.
Label Marker
With all the boxes and containers you and/or your movers will be relocating, it’s easy to lose track of where everything is located. Writing labels on them prior can help you keep in touch. Use a Sharpie, as it is vivid and doesn’t smudge off easily. It’s recommended to apply these labels to at least two-three sides of the box.
Laser Level
When it comes to leveling the furniture of your new home, a laser level is your best friend. A laser level can guarantee that all the furniture on the walls is aligned evenly. Therefore, it is your go-to tool for setting up shelves, picture frames, or art pieces. It’s easy to find a hand-held laser level for an affordable price.
Multi-Bit Screwdriver
An absolute essential on your list would be a multi-bit screwdriver. This tool is able to perform a variety of tasks, such as tightening screws and changing hardware. Multiple screwdrivers come with interchangeable screwdriver heads of different sizes. Its versatility and adjustability in the performance of tasks make it more convenient for a move than an individual screwdriver.
Paintbrush and Touch-up Paint
Another part of your new home which may need to be fixed up is the coloring of the walls. Whether they are clear white, or there are parts of dry paint that started coming off, chances are you’ll be making some improvements. Therefore, we advise adding a paintbrush and touch-up paint to the list of your essentials. Of course, it’s ideal if your can of paint matches the color of the walls.
Putty Knife and Spackling
Moving to a new home doesn’t always guarantee moving to one which is in ideal condition. You may have known about that, and considered easy repairing options. The walls can be covered in holes in places where screws and anchors used to reside. The good news is you can easily fix these blemishes and leave the walls of your new home looking brand new with a box of spackling and a putty knife.
Scissors
When you arrive in your new home, the first thing you will be doing is unpacking. Your boxes are most likely properly sealed to protect them. It would be impossible to open them by hand. Don’t forget to grab a pair of scissors to be able to unpack smoothly.
Screws, Nails, Nuts, and Bolts
Here is another absolute essential that can’t be ignored. When it comes to screws, nails, nuts and bolts, it’s best to check that you have a broad collection to choose from. Once you get to setting up furniture in your new home, you may be assembling a lot of it on the walls. Even putting back together the parts of old, disassembled furniture requires the use of such.
Step Ladder
While packing and unpacking, you’ll find that many items are out of reach – for example, that decorative shelf near the ceiling. You can kind of wipe the dust off of it when you stand on the bed from a certain angle, but that’s about it…
This is why you’re going to need a step ladder to access the uncomfortable corners of your home easily. Luckily, the movers of SEKA Moving are here to help you perform any task which may feel dangerous or intimidating.
Stud Finder
This is another easily accessible and affordable item that your moving process can’t go without. While the laser level helps control the structure on the walls, the stud finder takes care of safety. In other words, its purpose is to locate framing studs beneath the surface of the wall. You can purchase stud finders in either the magnetic or electric variation.
Tape
Amidst all the lesser-known items on this list that you may be hearing about for the first time, such as command strips, don’t forget the common essentials, such as tape! Both packing tape and duct tape can be of functional use. For example, duct tape works best for completing any repairs. Packing tape, as its name suggests, is the optimal choice for securing boxes and containers.
Tape Measure
The purpose of this essential is self-explanatory – just think of all the measures you’ll be completing, such as rugs, doorways, and couches! We recommend getting a tape measure that is at least 12 feet. Of course, this shall also depend on the size of your furniture. If you feel you’ll be measuring large furniture a lot, consider purchasing the longest tape measure on the market.
Vacuum Seal Bags
One of the most stressful parts of packing your belongings, your wardrobe and other types of cloth is organizing everything together. In this case scenario, vacuum seal bags are another item on our “easily accessible” list. They can also be used even after the move. Due to their practicality and functionality, vacuum seal bags are definitely not to be neglected while moving.
We have tried to consider every possibility to ensure your move involves as much comfort as possible. Have a splendid journey, and always consider safety first and foremost when using any of these items!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Prepare for a DIY Move?
Your DIY move works best with a plan, so prepare in advance and come up with a strategy to follow. Gather plenty of information on how to pack and move tools (don’t forget that different items may require very different moving strategies!) Think about renting a moving truck, as that can not only simplify the number of tasks you’ll be doing but help out your finances as well.
What Can Be Used to Move Heavy Furniture?
There are multiple options for moving heavy furniture, such as moving dollies and mini two-wheeled or four-wheeled trucks. However, if you plan your move in advance, the best option would be hiring professional movers. Look for companies with a good reputation who are respectful and responsible towards their clients.
How Do You Move a Large Piece of Furniture by Yourself?
But what if having someone help you out isn’t an option – perhaps your time has run out and you are left by yourself? For moving heavy furniture, it is recommended to use the furniture dolly, commonly known as the moving dolly. Please remember at all times that your safety and health are not worth risking. Avoid picking up or moving heavy items by hand, unless you are used to such tasks on a regular basis.
