7 Best Practices For Moving Heavy Items

Ever looked at a heavy piece of furniture and thought, “How am I going to move that?” You’re not alone. Moving heavy items, whether for a new home or a quick rearrange, can feel overwhelming. Without the right approach, it’s easy to hurt yourself or damage your belongings. But it doesn’t have to be so hard. You can move heavy items safely and efficiently with a little preparation and the right techniques. Here are 7 best practices to help make your next move easier.

Moving heavy items is no small feat, so planning is essential. Start by taking an inventory of all the large items you need to move. This includes obvious things like beds, couches, refrigerators, bulky boxes or smaller, heavier items such as book collections or gym equipment. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can prioritise and plan the most efficient way to transport each item. Planning also helps you identify which pieces may require disassembly or special handling.

Tip: Group similar items together and ensure everything is well-organised for easy loading and unloading.

Without the right tools, moving heavy items can quickly turn into a nightmare. Invest in or rent some basic moving equipment to help lighten the load. A few must-have tools include:

• Dollies and trolleys: These are essential for wheeling heavy furniture and boxes, saving your back from unnecessary strain.
• Furniture sliders: Placing these under furniture legs makes gliding heavy items across floors much easier without causing scratches.
• Moving straps: Designed to distribute weight evenly, these straps can help you carry items that might otherwise be too awkward to lift on your own.

Using the right equipment makes the process easier and reduces the risk of injury and damage to your belongings.

Large furniture, like beds or shelving units, often comes in pieces and can be disassembled for easier transport. Removing legs from tables, cushions from couches or shelves from cabinets can make the pieces lighter and easier to manoeuvre through doorways or tight spaces. Just remember to keep all screws, bolts and small parts in clearly labelled bags to avoid any confusion when it’s time to reassemble.



Tip: Keep a small toolkit handy during your move so you can quickly disassemble and reassemble furniture as needed.

It’s tempting to simply bend over, grab a heavy item and haul it up, but that’s a surefire way to injure yourself. Proper lifting techniques can prevent serious strain on your back, neck and shoulders. Here’s how to lift correctly:

• Bend at your knees, not your waist and keep your back straight.
• Grip the item securely and lift it with your legs, keeping it close to your body for better balance.
• Avoid twisting your body while lifting or carrying. If you need to change direction, turn with your feet.

If the item is too heavy, don’t hesitate to ask for help. It’s always better to share the load than to risk an injury.

Moving heavy items makes it easy to scuff walls, dent doorways or scratch floors accidentally. To prevent damage, take precautions before you start moving. Lay down moving blankets or old towels to protect flooring from scratches, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways. For narrow doorways or sharp corners, use corner guards or padding to ensure that walls and frames remain scuff-free.

Tip: Always have someone guide you through tight spaces to avoid unnecessary dings and damage.

Before moving heavy items, ensure all pathways, stairs and doorways are clear of obstacles. This includes rolling up rugs, moving smaller pieces of furniture and propping doors open. Narrow doorways or tight spaces can be challenging to navigate with large items, so it’s a good idea to measure the width of your doorways and compare them to the dimensions of your heaviest items. If an item doesn’t fit through, you may need to move it through a window or disassemble it further.

Tip: Plan your exit route so you’re not making last-minute adjustments.

While moving heavy items yourself is possible, it’s often worth considering the benefits of hiring professional movers. Experienced removalists come equipped with the right tools, techniques and manpower to transport even the bulkiest items safely. Plus, they know how to protect your belongings and home from damage, saving you time and effort. If you’re moving long distances or have particularly large or delicate items, professionals can ensure that everything arrives at your new location in one piece.

At O’Grady’s Transport & Removals, we make your move from Sydney to Brisbane smooth and stress-free. Our experienced team carefully handles packing, loading and transport, ensuring your valuables are safe. Whether you need Sydney to Brisbane movers or a reliable removalist, we have the tools and expertise to get it done right. Contact us today for a hassle-free move with the top removalist from Sydney to Brisbane!