Minimising damage when moving house

As most of us have probably experienced, moving home can be both daunting and thrilling. One of the most important parts of your big move is making sure that furniture is moved properly and taken care of. To ensure it can continue with you to your new home, take some precautions to ensure that it's handled carefully and in the correct manner. Read our guide to avoiding damages when moving home.

Moving your furniture with care

There's no failsafe guarantee ensuring that furniture arrives at your new home in exactly the same condition as when it left your old home. However, there are several key points to consider - essentially common sense, but sometimes easily overlooked.

• Before moving furniture, work out if it has any detachable parts that can be removed and, of course, empty all contents and pack into boxes separately
  
• When doing your own lifting, ensure that furniture is carried where it's strongest and a firm hold is taken. Ensure that you have the required number of people to move objects also, to prevent injury
• When carrying furniture, work out the route that you'll use to move it out or in. You may need to move light fixtures that could cause damage or be damaged in the process. Have a look-out person who can watch along the route and let you know of any potential risks or obstructions
• Glass tabletops need extra care. Check the route for any obstructions and wrap the tabletop with a moving wrap or blanket before starting. This applies to any valuable piece that you have and using padding will also help if you want to store a piece later
• Think about where your furniture will go; sudden and extreme variation in temperature and humidity may damage it - be wary
• Don't slide or drag furniture along the floor as this will likely cause damage. Cover the floor with sheets or blankets to minimise damage if possible
• The turtle always wins the race - take time and care when moving, rather than trying to do everything in a hurry
• On arrival at your new home, unpack slowly and carefully, so that you can check for any loss or damage

With the right amount of foresight and care, your furniture can be safely moved unscathed and ready for use. Packing appropriately and thoroughly is key for delicate items and, above all, take your time. It may seem like obvious advice, but bad planning and subsequent rushing is probably the most likely cause of any breakages.