It’s a common misconception that moving is a relatively straightforward thing—simple, with no surprises. The truth is that there are many opportunities for damage, either to the property you’re moving or to the building/space you’re leaving or moving into. Most of the time, inexperienced or careless movers aren’t even aware of what to watch out for until it’s too late and the damage is done, and it can be very costly to fix.
You can always tell a true moving professional by how well they anticipate and handle things most others overlook – that’s where you’ll see the real difference between novice movers and quality professionals with the experience and attention to detail a professional move calls for.
What are some of the most frequently overlooked things you should make sure your movers protect so damage to your property and the space you’re leaving or moving into will be minimal? They are, of course, the big things that usually fade into the background:
Doors
Every door and door jamb should be padded and have door protectors clamped to them to protect them from nicks, scratches, dings and other damage as items are moved through them. Protecting the doors and door jambs also protects the items moving through them from any damage that sharp or uncovered corners can cause.
Floors
Flooring surfaces are notoriously vulnerable to scratching and other finish damage, and most movers don’t even think twice before sliding furniture, filing cabinets and other items across the floor if it’s more convenient. All marble, tile and vinyl floors should be covered with ¼-inch masonite to ensure the flooring is totally protected throughout the move.
Carpet
Just because the floors themselves are covered with carpet doesn’t mean the carpet doesn’t also need protecting. Carpet can easily be snagged by sharp furniture corners that may not even be visible when the items are permanently installed. They are also vulnerable to being stained by dirt and grease, from objects themselves, moving equipment like dollies, carts and boxes, or from what’s on the shoes of the movers. There is also a greatly increased risk of wear and tear from the increased traffic of a move and the weight of the property being moved.
Walls
Interior walls, hallways and elevators also need protecting, whether or not they are lined with wallpaper, paneling or some other wall covering. They should all be covered with corrugated cardboard to shield paint, sheetrock and other finishes from damage as items are moved.
Furniture
All upholstered furniture should be covered in clear plastic to protect it from dirt, snags, tears, nicks, smudging and any other move-related damage. Corners and edges are particularly vulnerable to being damaged or damaging walls, floors, carpets or doors when furniture is being moved, so properly padding and protecting those exposed ends and edges serves to protect both the furniture and the surrounding surfaces.
Choose Wisely
The insider information above is just the beginning of what to watch for. When choosing a mover, make sure you pick a professional that knows how to protect you from all of the damage that can occur during your move, including damage to the space you’re moving into or out of. If you have any questions about what total move protection entails, please call us to learn more! See some examples at “Building Protection”.
