A Guide On Moving Heavy Furniture: DIY or Hiring A Man With With A Van
As you are planning to move, one of your biggest concerns might be the heavy lifting that comes with the job. After all, many heavy objects need to be moved from one place to the other. Now, there are two ways you can go about performing this task. First, you can do all the heavy lifting yourself, and second, you can hire a man with a van.
The first option of moving objects on your own is not exactly advisable if these are bulky items such as furniture. Lifting and carrying anything that weighs over 30 kilograms by yourself is just asking for trouble. However, if hiring someone to help you out with the heavy lifting is out of the question, we’ve come up with a list of tips to help you move objects on your own.
The Alternative: A Man With A Van
Before anything else, though, you need to know that different types of heavy-lifting services are available. One of the most common options is the use of a man with a van. This is where you hire an individual to help you move your goods from one location to another. Usually, this service comes with round-the-clock availability and hourly rates that are charged depending on how much time it takes to finish their task.
Hiring professionals who come in a van or moving truck equipped with a few tools to help them lift things is one of the safest options for heavy lifting. They are experienced in handling furniture and other bulky items, making them a better choice for this type of job.
Why Should I Use A Man and Van For My Large Parcel Delivery Needs?
They Are Affordable
When you don’t have the means to pick up or deliver a large item or large parcel yourself, hiring a man and van to do the job for you is the cheapest way to get your large item from Point A to Point B.
That is because, like a small removal job, a man with a van will charge you based on the length of the job, the size of van you need, the distance between the pickup and destination points, and how many crew members you will need for the job. Read about the cost of moving companies here.
Additionally, unlike a man with a van, most courier companies and mailing services also charge for volumetric weight, which means you will have to shell out more money the larger your item is.
Lastly, won’t have to go to the courier company office to get the items shipped. Instead, your delivery cost will include parcel collection, which means you won’t have to pay a few extra £s possibly spent on fuel and parking!
A Man and Van Has A Flexible Schedule
While a man and van company would still encourage you to book for their services in advance, most men with a van have pretty flexible schedules. That means if you need to make urgent deliveries and would need an express courier service, a man and van would be the best delivery option for you.
That is because, unlike big-name courier-only services, like DHL or UPS, which make multiple deliveries at a time, a man and van would only take one. Hence, your item will be delivered as quickly as possible. You won’t have to pay extra for priority or express delivery fees just to get your large item on time.
Moreover, most courier services only make deliveries during office hours, and not during the weekend. However, most man and van services can accommodate your large parcel delivery needs even at night and during weekends.
That means you can easily schedule for the collection and delivery of your newly-sold or newly-purchased items in your free time! You don’t have to take time off work to see off or receive your large parcel. What more could you ask for?
There Will Be Fewer Size Restrictions
Some courier-only companies are pretty flexible with the size of the items they can ship for you, but there are still quite a few hoops you have to go through to send your large item or heavy parcel. With a man and van, however, the process will be pretty straightforward.
A man with a van will happily deliver your item, as long as their luton van can accommodate it. Even if it doesn’t, though, they’ll probably be able to provide a larger van or recommend you to another man with a van who can accommodate your items.
You Item Will Be Handled With The Utmost Care
Because man and van service providers are in no rush to complete multiple deliveries within a given amount of time, they will make sure to handle your items with the best care possible. They are also skilled and equipped to make sure that your items are safe and secure in transit.
And if something does get damaged? They’ve got you covered!
Most man and van companies have transportation insurance for the items they handle, which means any damage to your large items will be somehow compensated.
Packing Your Item Will Be A Piece Of Cake!
Many man and van service providers are excellent packers! Depending on the services you avail of, a man with a van can also provide you with packing materials like boxes, bubble wrap, and packaging tape, which means you won’t have to worry about purchasing an appropriately-sized box or getting one for free.
Some even offer free packing services, so you won’t have to worry about screwing up the process of packing a large item!
Booking One Is Easy
There are hundreds, or even thousands, of man and van service providers in London alone, so think about just how many there are all across the UK! With those numbers, finding and booking one isn’t as difficult or time-consuming as it seems.
You just have to make the booking online or give your prospective man and van a call. Moreover, if you use WhatManAndVan to find a man with a van, you’ll be presented with up to five options that will surely provide you with the services you need.
What Else Can A Man And Van Do?
Aside from moving furniture and lifting heavy objects, you will find many other things a man with a van can help you with during the moving process.
For example, they can also help you with the disassembly and reassembling of furniture. If you cannot transport your couch or bed because it’s too big, then a man and van service is just what you need.
Some man and van companies are also open to helping you pack your things. This can save you a lot of time and money as the professionals will do it efficiently with minimal fuss. They know what kind of supplies they need for this job, so there’s nothing left to worry about on your end.
Lastly, they can also help with waste disposal, which means they will ensure that all the rubbish you’ve accumulated over time and during the moving process gets properly disposed of. Just be sure to let them know if you have any items that can still be used or repurposed.
What To Look For In A Man With A Van Company
Once you’ve decided to hire a man with a van for your move, it’s time to look around and compare prices from different companies in the area. This way, you can get an idea of which one has the best offer, including their rates and terms of service. Read more about How Man And Van Costs Are Computed here.
As you do your research on local companies, take note of these factors:
• Availability
Make sure that they have enough workers to get the job done efficiently, so it doesn’t end up costing you extra money due to delays or slow progress. Some companies even offer services that are available 24/
• Insurance
Hiring a company with insurance is always advisable as it will protect you in case something goes wrong during the moving process.
• References and Reviews
Never forget to check out references, testimonials, and feedback from past clients before hiring anyone for your job. This way, you can get a better idea of how experienced or reliable they are when it comes to handling heavy objects.
Make sure that you also ask for an estimate from different companies to know which one has the best offer in terms of price and services. This way, there won’t be any unpleasant surprises once your job begins and their staff start working.
Read this for more information on the importance of Man and Van Company Reviews.
Tips And Tricks For Moving Heavy Furniture On Your Own
If you are still planning on moving heavy objects and heavy boxes on your own, then here are some tips that can help make the job easier:
Make Sure You Have The Necessary Tools and Supplies
Before you start doing anything else, check if you have all of the necessary equipment first. This includes a dolly or trolley to transport heavy items, rope to secure items in place, and lifting straps or furniture straps that can help you move heavy objects without causing damage to them or yourself. Also, see to it that you have the appropriate type of vehicle, preferably with a ramp,
You will also need packing materials like:
- Bubble wrap
- Corrugated sheets
- Strong adhesive tapes like duct tape to keep things in place
- Marker pens for numbering boxes
- Sturdy moving cartons that are easy to open with taut flaps
- Plastic foam peanuts or bubble wadding to fill up empty spaces inside the box.
Do remember, though, that you DO NOT need to purchase everything mentioned above. For example, moving trucks, moving dollies are available for rent at your local DIY store, while straps can also be rented from some companies.
Take Advantage of Lifting Straps and Slings
These straps can help you lift very large but lightweight items such as couches and cupboards. They’re quite flexible because they work by wrapping around the item in question, so all you need to do is pull on the ends of the straps to lift them up.
Remember that these are NOT suitable for heavier, bulkier objects like washing machines and refrigerators since they can be too heavy for you to move on your own. Also, avoid tying things together with ropes because this will only make it more difficult to carry larger pieces of furniture around without dropping them.
Consider Breaking Down Your Large And Heavy Furniture Pieces
This is only a good idea if you have the necessary tools and know-how to do it. This way, your large pieces of furniture can fit into your carton more easily without putting too much pressure on its sides.
Moreover, breaking large pieces down make it so much easier for you to carry them around without too much trouble. Just make sure that you have a good look at the instructions before dismantling them, or else they might not go back together as easily later on.
Make Sure To Use The Proper Lifting Techniques
Remember that you need to lift properly in order to prevent serious injury. First, make sure that you have a good grip on the object before attempting to move it around so it won’t slip out of your hands and fall onto the ground.
Bend at your knees and not your back when you’re actually lifting things up off the floor until they are just below waist height. This will give you more strength and stability when moving heavy objects. Also, remember to hold the objects as close to your body as possible. This will prevent you from straining your back after moving around. Make sure that your back is straight, so the weight of what you’re holding up isn’t resting entirely on your spine. If possible, distribute some of it onto other parts like your legs and arms to keep yourself in good shape for future moves!
Also, take a few minutes to stretch out your arms and legs or do some jumping jacks before moving around any large pieces of furniture too much. This will help reduce joint stress while preventing injuries like pulled muscles from happening as well. Periodically take a short break to rest your arms if you’re feeling too tired, although this isn’t recommended at all times since it might just hurt more later on!
Remember that moving heavy objects can be quite strenuous for the body over time. It’s especially important not to do any of these moves without warming up beforehand because otherwise, you might end up seriously injuring yourself in the process.
Get A Couple Of Friends To Help Out If Possible
The term “by yourself” doesn’t necessarily mean moving these heavy objects by your lonesome. Rather, it means moving your items without the assistance of professional movers or man and van companies. So, be sure to get your friends to help you out if possible.
This is ideal because they can also lend a hand in lifting larger pieces of furniture into place while helping out with other parts of the move. However, you need to make sure that they’re physically fit enough for the job or that your back will end up aching later!
Keep in mind, though, that it would be best for you to ask the help of friends and family who are capable of lifting heavy objects themselves. The last thing you want is to ask a friend or family member to help you out, only for them to end up getting injured in the process.
Dress Comfortably
This means wearing loose, comfortable clothing when moving heavy objects because it will prevent you from straining yourself while lifting large pieces of furniture around. This is especially important if the weather outside is hot and humid!
You will also want to make sure that your feet are adequately protected with sturdy shoes too, especially if there’s a chance you might be standing on a dusty or dirty floor. Even better yet, wearing upper body protection will prevent you from getting scratches and scrapes during the move!
Meanwhile, here are some things you should not do when moving house.
Final Thoughts
A DIY move can be quite a challenge, especially if you have no experience with moving heavy objects around. However, if you’re willing to train your body beforehand and do it the right way, then you can easily move these large pieces of furniture by yourself without any trouble at all!
Moreover, with these tips in mind and enough preparation beforehand, you won’t have to worry about your back hurting or getting injured while moving heavy furniture around ever again!
If, however, you find yourself unable to lift heavy objects by yourself, be sure to hire the help of a man with van company instead. This will ensure a safe and smooth-sailing move that doesn’t put too much stress on your body.