It probably won’t surprise any of you to hear that I’ve moved A LOT of heavy furniture (and other things…) in my life and have totally suffered the consequences. I’m pretty darned little when faced with a dresser that literally weighs more than I do. One thing about doing a certain amount of hauling though is you do get better at it! I’ve learned how to distribute the weight of the object as well as my own and I’ve also learned the vital importance of leverage. I’ve also learned when to call in help because injuring myself is just not something I want to do again!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

If you’ve ever moved house, you know that getting your bulky furniture out and in through doorways, stairwells, and around spaces can be a real pain. You may leave scratches on your floor, bust up a couple of walls, and take out a door jam or two; all of this makes for a ruined security deposit if you’re renting or a lower home value if you’re selling. 

In addition, incorrect lifting form can possibly injure you, leaving you sore and in pain for weeks after your move. To avoid the hassle of moving furniture, try these 4 tips the next time you need to box up your belongings and go.

1. Avoiding Injury

One of the best ways to avoid injury while moving furniture is to employ proper lifting techniques. Think of your furniture as gym equipment: every lift requires a different form to stay safe. Bend your knees and hips when lifting anything heavy to lessen the pressure on your back, reduce the weight of furniture by removing drawers, and consider employing the use of different lifting tools to even out the weight of your object. Examples of tools you can purchase are:

• Shoulder dollies: these straps hook underneath your furniture and attach to two people’s shoulders. This removes the pressure from your back and completely evens out the weight of the furniture between the two lifters. However, it is not recommended for use on stairwells.
• Arm Straps: Much like shoulder dollies, arm straps attach around you and your partner’s forearms, which evens out weight distribution.

2. Finding a Friend

Speaking of lifting partners, in any situation where you will be lifting heavy objects, make sure that you have a friend available to help. You don’t want to be stuck in a situation that you can’t get out of by yourself with no available help.

33% of occupational injuries are caused by moving heavy objects without any aid, so save yourself the pain and get a friend to help you out. Offer to buy lunch, coffee, or to help them out when they eventually move. If you have any siblings, consider enlisting them to help you out (they’re obligated because they are related to you). 

3. Professional Help

If you have no friends available to help you move your furniture, consider enlisting the help of professionals. Remember, you don’t move that often, so the money that you spend on professional help is well worth it in return for the maintenance of your security deposit and the health of your back. 

Perform research to find a company that has good reviews, reasonable prices, and insurance to make sure your stuff stays as safe as possible. Movers are easy to find in large cities: you can find apartment movers in Dallas, search for Office Removals Brisbane, or ask for heavy equipment removals around Tokyo. Get at least 3 quotes from your chosen companies, and pick the movers that work best for you and your budget.

There may be specific items of furniture that you want to take more care of and that might hold a lot more value. Therefore, using specialist movers for this might be useful. For example, you may have a piano that’s been passed down the family for generations, and getting some piano movers will give you that peace of mind.

4. Find the Right Tools

In addition to getting great help from friends or professionals, you also need to make sure that you have the proper supplies to successfully move large pieces of furniture. First and foremost, having some basic tools like screwdrivers and Allen wrenches is integral to any home project, but they are especially helpful for taking off sofa legs, removing handles, and breaking down furniture into smaller, more manageable pieces. 

Gathering some plastic frisbees or paper plates can also be super helpful during your move: placing smooth, circular objects underneath couch legs or heavier dressers will allow you to scoot them across your floor without any scratches. Getting your supplies prepared before-hand will make the moving process easier down the line.

Moving furniture doesn’t have to be painful. Make sure you have help, proper lifting techniques, and the right tools, and your moving process will be a breeze.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)