What Should I Do About My Valuable Items?

Ask your moving team for a “High-Value” items inventory sheet. Use it to list anything worth $1000 or more. If you have items of extreme value, be sure to have them appraised and provide our driver with a copy of the appraisal. This will make filing a claim for loss or damage easier and lets the packers and movers know you have items of value that must be carefully packed. If a different team is unloading your belongings in your new home be sure they also have a copy of the inventory. This way should anything come up missing or damaged, the detailed inventory will make it far easier for your Richmond movers to try and locate the items or pay for their repair or replacement.

There Are Any Items That Your Protection Policy Does Not Cover?

Coin/ stamp/ card collections/ currency/ money. Appraisals/ Deeds/ Legal Documents/ Manuscripts/ Passports. Computer Backup Disks/ Software Licenses. Negotiable Instruments/ Receipts/ Stocks/ Bonds/ Tax Records. Jewelry/ Precious Stones/ Medications.

Are There Things We Can Do to Help Keep Our Moving Costs Down?

Decluttering, if you don’t use it or its broken get rid of it.Heavy furniture like pool tables and pianos should be sold, offered as part of your home sale, or offered to the new owner. Check to see if you can get a refund on any unused portion of your homeowners’ insurance or see if the balance can be transferred to your new house.Use garages sales, family, friends, and charities to dispose of usable items.Never ship things like lumber, wood, lawn and garden supplies, paints, any types of chemicals, or gasoline. Most are on the Do Not Ship list and the rest are just more dead weight. If it won’t fit in your new home, why ship it and pay for storage. Copy CDs/DVDs onto your computers and sell them. Don’t ship heavy garage/shop furniture. Use large planters to pack small things. Any deposits you are owed should be collected before you move. Same for any club memberships or dues.

Can I Deduct the Cost of Moving On My Taxes?

As your Richmond movers, we recommend you talk to a tax accountant or specialist to confirm what you may or may not be able to deduct. However, there are a few common costs that can be deducted in most instances such as: Packing, shipping/transportation, and unpacking. Shipping your car. Hotel expenses during the trip to your new home. Moving your pets. Many other deductions will be based on the reason you are moving, including: You are moving to start a new job. You will be employed full-time for at least 39 weeks during your first year in your new home. Moving because you are in the military or you are moving to another country because of work. Self-employed must work at least 39 weeks of year one and a total of 72 weeks during the first two years. Your new job must be at least fifty miles away from your old home and closer to your new one.

Are There Things I Need to Take Care of Before Moving Day Arrives?

Unhook and disconnect all appliances and electronics, mark cables for ease of reassembly. Clean and dry dishes to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Remove ink/toner cartridges to prevent leaks (this type of damage is not covered). Backup your computer files onto discs, the cloud, or an external hard drive. Clean and dry all appliances, water can freeze and cause serious damage. Remove any CDs or DVDs from electronics to prevent warpage that can lead to damage. Hang and fold your clothes, the packers won’t do this.

Are There Any Reservations I Need to Make?

If you are moving out of an apartment building, you may need to: Make sure there is room in the parking lot as many local moving companies use a truck that measures 75 feet long. If parking permits are needed, you may need to be the one to secure them. Reserving the freight elevator if there is one, or the main one if not to make things easier for the movers.

What Should I Leave Until the Last Minute Before My Richmond Movers Arrive?

Clean all perishables from the fridge and freezer, your grill, garbage cans, and unhook garden hoses. Get rid of anything you don’t plan to ship so you are paying to ship these items. Remove bedding from all mattresses. Remove loose items, liquids, and anything fragile from dresser drawers. Strip the walls of paintings, photos, mirrors, and window treatments. Pack your travel suitcases and keep them in a separate place to avoid the local moving companies putting them in boxes and on the truck. Leave all boxes you have packed unsealed for the movers to verify you aren’t shipping anything you shouldn’t be.

How Can You Protect Hardwood Floors When Moving Appliances?

Posted on: Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Moving heavy appliances across hardwood floors can be tricky, you know. Oak, maple, or even engineered hardwood can scratch or dent pretty easily if you’re not careful. It’s easy to underestimate the damage a fridge or washer can do when slid across a room.

A reliable moving company in Richmond, VA, often recommends a few simple tricks to keep your floors safe. Using protective barriers like furniture pads, thick blankets, or even cardboard can make a huge difference. And yeah, lifting properly or having someone help is not just safer for your back, it also keeps your floors looking good.

Some people think they can push appliances around, but honestly, that’s a quick way to leave marks. A bit of planning, a few tools, and careful handling go a long way in keeping your hardwood floors scratch-free. Trust me, your future self will thank you when your floors stay gorgeous after the move.

Essential Floor Protection Materials

Your hardwood floors need a solid barrier system before any appliance gets moved. Thick cardboard sheets work well for lighter items, but plastic sheeting offers better protection against moisture and provides a smoother sliding surface.

Canvas drop cloths create another protective layer, especially when you’re dealing with older appliances that might leak fluids. The key here is coverage that extends well beyond the appliance’s footprint. You want at least six inches of extra material on all sides.

Painter’s tape secures these materials without leaving sticky residue on your floors. Avoid duct tape since it can damage floor finishes when removed. Some people skip this step, thinking they’ll be extra careful, but appliances shift during moves, and that protective material needs to stay put.

Getting Appliances Ready for Transport

Empty everything first. Seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people try moving a half-full refrigerator. Water dispensers need complete draining, and ice makers should be disconnected at least 24 hours ahead of time.

Refrigerators and freezers require defrosting time. Plan for this since rushing leads to water damage on your beautiful hardwood. Remove all shelves, drawers, and loose components. These parts should travel separately, wrapped in moving blankets.

Washing machines need their water supply lines disconnected and drained. Front-loading models often have drainage plugs that need attention. Dishwashers typically stay connected to their water lines, but check with your appliance manual if you’re unsure.

Moving blankets protect appliance surfaces and create padding between the unit and your floors if something goes wrong. Stretch wrap holds everything together nicely, but don’t wrap so tightly that you restrict airflow vents.

Smart Moving Strategies That Work

Appliance dollies handle most of the heavy lifting, but they need the right wheels for hardwood floors. Rubber wheels prevent scratches better than plastic ones. Four-wheel dollies distribute weight more evenly than two-wheel versions.

Furniture sliders are game-changers for this type of work. Place them under appliance feet or corners, and suddenly that 200-pound refrigerator glides across your floor like it weighs nothing. Clean sliders before use, since any debris underneath turns into sandpaper against your hardwood.

Planning your route matters more than you might think. Measure doorways, check for tight corners, and remove obstacles beforehand. That hallway runner might look nice, but it becomes a tripping hazard during appliance moves.

Team lifting prevents accidents and floor damage. One person pulling while another pushes creates better control than trying to muscle everything solo. Communication keeps everyone moving in sync.

Proper Lifting Without Floor Damage

Bend those knees, not your back. This protects you and gives better control over heavy appliances. Keep the appliance close to your body rather than extending your arms, which reduces the chance of dropping something onto your floors.

Lifting straps distribute weight across your stronger muscle groups and free up your hands for a better grip. These tools cost maybe twenty bucks but save your floors and your spine.

Take breaks when needed. Fatigue leads to accidents, and accidents damage floors. Moving appliances isn’t a race, despite what some people think.

Test your grip before fully committing to a lift. Appliance surfaces can be slippery, especially when they’re wrapped in moving materials. Better to readjust your hold than drop something halfway across the room.

Using Slider Pads Effectively

Position the slider pads under each corner or foot of the appliance. Check that they’re centered properly since off-center placement can cause tipping. Different appliances need different slider arrangements, so don’t assume one size fits all situations.

Inspect slider pads before each use. Worn or cracked pads can scratch floors or fail completely under load. Replace them when they start looking rough around the edges.

Keep slider pads clean between uses. Dirt and debris stuck to the bottom turn them into floor-scratching tools rather than protective equipment. A quick wipe with a damp cloth usually does the job.

Some slider pads work better on certain floor finishes. Felt-bottom sliders suit most hardwood types, while plastic versions work well on smoother surfaces. Test a small area first if you’re uncertain about compatibility.

Post-Move Floor Assessment

Walk the entire path your appliances traveled, checking for any missed damage. Sometimes, small scratches only become visible under certain lighting conditions. Better to spot these issues early rather than discover them months later.

Look for indentations where appliances sat for extended periods. Heavy items can compress wood fibers, creating permanent marks if left too long. Moving pads help prevent this, but checking afterward ensures nothing got missed.

Clean your floors thoroughly after the move. Moving processes often leave behind dust, debris, and protective material residue. Use appropriate hardwood floor cleaners rather than generic household products that might damage finishes.

Document any damage you do find. Photos help if you need to file insurance claims or discuss repairs with flooring professionals. Most minor scratches can be buffed out, but deeper gouges might require professional attention.

Professional moving services understand hardwood floor protection protocols and often carry insurance for accidental damage. Sometimes, the peace of mind justifies the extra cost, especially when dealing with expensive appliances or irreplaceable antique floors.

Contact Us

Ready to experience a seamless move with Dunmar Moving Systems? Reach out today to discuss your moving and storage needs.

Address: 8030 Whitepine Rd, Richmond, VA 23237
Phone: (804) 409-0790
Website: www.dunmar.com/contact-us

For a free moving quote, please visit our Get a Free Quote page.

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