For many Americans, the relocation process is a huge challenge, since they must figure out how to move their largest furniture to their brand new home. Some pieces are gigantic and cannot fit easily through the doorways, hallways, or entrances. To solve this issue, professional movers dismantle furniture to deliver these items to new residences.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to disassemble your furniture before your residential move.
A Few Tips to Remember Before You Begin
Disassembling furniture takes time and patience, so schedule a few days before your relocation to complete this process. Next, you should decide whether it’s a good idea to relocate your large pieces to your new home. Take into consideration things like how much time, effort, and cost it will take to move these items. Also, ask yourself whether your furniture will fit into your new home or apartment.
If this task is too much for you to handle alone, you can always contact Mesa Moving Company for assistance. Our friendly professionals are always happy to handle these tasks for you. We can take apart different pieces of furniture, including sofas, chairs, bookshelves, and appliances.
Create a Tracking System for Your Furniture’s Small Parts
Before starting the disassembly process, have a plan to keep track of the parts that belong to furniture like bookshelves, tables, and bed frames. If their screws, bolts, or pegs are lost, they may be difficult to reassemble.
Place these parts in a zip-lock bag, and include labels to identify them. Additionally, consider putting all small furniture parts into the same box, so you can easily find them. This step can save you time and help you reassemble your furniture quickly once you move into your new home.
Tools You’ll Need for the Disassembly Process
Next, you will need some basic tools to help you take apart your furniture. If you don’t have these items, you can purchase them from your local hardware or home improvement store. You can also buy these supplies from Mesa Moving and Storage.
You do not need expensive tools to get the job done. Here is a shortlist of supplies to consider:
- Philips head screwdrivers,
- Wrenches, hammers, and pliers
- Bubble wrapping paper
- Packing boxes
- Ziplock bags
- Packing tape
- Packing peanuts
- Waterproof markers
- Labels
- Tape Measure
Tips to Take Apart Your Furniture
Once you buy your supplies, you’re ready to start the process of dismantling your furniture. First, you’ll need to measure all of your furniture to determine whether they will make their way to the moving truck without issues. Additionally, take measurements of your new home to learn whether your items can enter your home without a problem. If not, you can begin the process to disassemble them.
Here are several recommendations to follow when for different pieces.
1. Beds
Bed frames can be difficult to take apart and move on your own since they have interconnected parts.
- Remove bedding: First, take off all sheets, pillows, and coverings. Wash and fold all linens before putting them into boxes.
- Dismantle the mattress and box spring – Next, remove these items and put them in a dry area to prevent damage. Pull out bed slats and place them to the side.
- Disassemble the headboard and footboards – Loosen each one, then pull them away from the frame. If your headboard has drawers, remove them.
- Take off the bed frame – After you’ve finished the hard part, you can finally dismantle the frame, starting with the railings. If you have a metal one, you can leave them attached and intact. You can also separate metal frames into two large pieces if they have similar arms.
2. Wardrobes, Vanities, and Dressers
You do not need to dismantle small to medium-sized wardrobes. Movers can relocate these items to your new home without taking them apart. You should take out all clothing, jewelry, and accessories from this furniture. Next, secure their drawers with tape, or remove these items and pack them into boxes.
The process is slightly different for wardrobes with mirrors: you will need to dismantle them. Use a screwdriver or wrench to separate the mirror. Cover the mirror with bubble wrap to prevent it from shattering. Stuff packing paper inside the box to prevent it from shaking during the transport. Remember to write “fragile” on all sides of the box.
You may need to fully dismantle large vanities and dressers since they are generally too wide to fit through doorways.
3. Tables
Some tables can be relocated to your place intact. If they are too large to fit through a door, you can take them apart. Some tables use a central piece to expand them. Remove it, then slide the remaining parts together to make it smaller. If your table has detachable legs, carefully tilt it down and unscrew them. Tape them together to ensure they don’t get lost.
4. Build-Your-Own Furniture (IKEA, etc;)
Next, determine whether you believe your furniture will fit into your new home, or if they no longer serve a purpose.
5. Shelving Units
Bookshelves and cabinets can be moved whole. You may want to remove all shelves and place them into boxes before moving them.
Some shelving units will allow you to remove the anchors that hold them in place. If this is the case, place them into Ziplock bags and tape them to the units, or place them into a separate box.
6. Appliances
Don’t tear an appliance apart, especially if you plan to use it in your new home. Most have removable pieces. It’s better to get a professional to remove appliances like stoves, ovens, or dishwashers. Refrigerators have trays and shelves, which may move safer if you remove them and place them into separate boxes to keep them from breaking.
Ask Mesa Moving & Storage Professionals to Help
Disassembling furniture can be a challenging process if you do it yourself. Mesa Moving and Storage has trained professionals who can safely take apart your furniture and appliances and transport them to your new home. We can also quickly reassemble your furniture so you can use them as soon as you complete the moving process. To learn more, schedule an appointment with one of our moving team today.
