Appliance moving: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What appliance moving is

Appliance moving disconnects, wraps and transports large appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and stoves, then delivers them to a new location for reconnection. Heavy units need hand trucks, straps and ramps, and the floors and doorways along the route need protection.

Signs you need it

  • A refrigerator or a washer is too heavy and awkward to tip safely without a second person and equipment
  • The appliance has to go down a basement stair, up a deck or through a narrow garage door
  • A stove or built-in unit needs to be disconnected from gas or electric before it can move
  • You are moving the fridge and need it kept upright and secured for the trip
  • The appliance has to be delivered to the new home and set in its place, not just dropped at the door

What the pro does

  • Check the appliance, the route and the new location, and note doors, stairs and floor surfaces
  • Disconnect water lines and drain the washer or fridge ice maker before moving, following the manufacturer's steps
  • Secure washer drums with the maker's transit bolts or kit where they apply, and strap or tape shelves and doors so they stay closed during transit
  • Wrap the appliance in padding and move it on a hand truck or dolly with straps, keeping it upright
  • Deliver the appliance to the new room, set it in place and level it where the unit requires leveling
  • Hand off to a qualified person for gas or electrical reconnection, and confirm the appliance is ready

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number and type of appliances, and their weight and size
  • Stairs, ramps and the distance from the truck to the door and the room
  • Whether the job includes disconnecting and reconnecting water or drain lines
  • Whether the appliance is a built-in, a stacked pair or a unit that needs a special dolly
  • Whether the route includes doorways that require removing a door or trim
  • Whether gas or electrical reconnection is handled by a separate qualified trade

What a written quote should spell out

  • The list of appliances covered and the weight class of each one
  • Which disconnections are done by the crew and which are left to a qualified trade
  • The protective materials used on floors, walls and doorways
  • Whether the appliance is set in place and leveled at the new location
  • What the crew will not do, such as gas or electrical reconnection or appliance repair

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you disconnect the water lines, and do you drain the washer and the fridge ice maker
  • Who reconnects the gas or electrical, and are they licensed
  • How do you secure the washer drum and the fridge doors for transport
  • Will you set the appliance in place and level it, or only deliver it to the room
  • Are you insured for damage to the appliance and to my floors and walls
  • How do you handle an appliance that will not fit through the doorway

Red flags

  • A crew that moves a washer without securing the drum, which can crack the suspension
  • A fridge laid on its side for transport, which can damage the compressor and the oil
  • No plan for the gas or electrical connection, leaving the appliance unusable on arrival
  • A quote that does not say who handles the water lines

What you can do yourself

You can empty the fridge and the freezer, clear the path and turn off the water supply to a washer before the crew arrives. Call a professional for gas stoves and dryers, built-in appliances, and any unit that needs disconnection from a gas or electrical source.

Licenses and permits

Gas connections and electrical connections for appliances are commonly licensed work. Check with your state or local licensing agency before any connection is made, and make sure the person doing it is qualified for that appliance.

Appliance moving questions

Can I move a fridge on its side?

Avoid it. Keep the refrigerator upright during transport. If it must be tipped, ask the manufacturer how long it should stand before it is plugged in, because the compressor oil needs time to settle.

Who reconnects a gas stove?

A qualified person should do gas reconnection and test the connection for leaks. Ask the moving company whether they coordinate with a licensed trade or whether you need to book one separately.

Should I drain the washer before the move?

Yes. Disconnect and drain the hoses, and secure the drum as the manufacturer advises so water does not spill and the drum does not shift during transit.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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