Appliance moving services: Expert & Safe 2025

Why Moving Heavy Appliances Isn’t a DIY Job

Appliance moving services are specialized solutions for safely transporting heavy items like refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Services Offered:

• Professional equipment – Appliance dollies, lifting straps, and protective padding
• Safe handling – Trained movers who understand appliance mechanics
• Full preparation – Defrosting, draining, and securing appliances
• Insurance protection – Coverage for your appliances and property
• Installation assistance – Reconnection and setup at your new location

Average Costs:

• 2 movers + truck: $125-194 per job
• Individual appliance moves: $98-290 depending on size
• Hourly rates: $30-50 per mover in the Chicago area

Moving a 350-pound refrigerator or a 500-pound washer-dryer set is about technique and safety, not just muscle. The stakes are high: DIY moves often lead to scratched floors, damaged doorframes, or torn carpets. Worse, improper handling can damage delicate cooling systems in refrigerators or misalign washing machine drums, resulting in costly repairs.

The complexity isn’t just about weight. Gas stoves need careful disconnection to prevent leaks, refrigerators must be positioned correctly to protect internal components, and washing machine drums require securing.

As Mina Georgalas, owner of Bernard Movers, says, “With nearly 30 years of experience, I’ve seen how professional appliance moving services save Chicago families from costly mistakes. Our team has safely moved thousands of appliances across Illinois, understanding the technical needs and unique challenges of Chicago-area homes.”

Your Complete Guide to Professional Appliance Moving Services

When moving valuable appliances, you need a partner who can protect your home and ensure your items arrive safely and ready to work. Professional appliance moving services offer a complete solution that a DIY approach can’t match.

The Benefits of Professional Appliance Moving Services

Trusting professionals with your heavy lifting provides several key benefits for your property, your belongings, and your peace of mind.

• Safety and Expertise: Our trained professionals understand how different appliances work and know the best ways to steer them through doorways, stairs, and tight corners common in Chicago and Melrose Park homes, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
• Specialized Equipment: We use the right tools for the job, including heavy-duty appliance dollies, lifting straps, and even stair-climbing dollies or trucks with lift gates for challenging moves. This ensures your appliances are moved safely and smoothly.

• Time Efficiency: DIY appliance moving is time-consuming. Our professional teams work efficiently, often offering same-day or next-day service to get your home back to normal quickly, saving you valuable time.
• Insurance and Liability Protection: A key benefit is our comprehensive insurance. Our policy covers potential damage to your appliances and property during the move and includes worker’s compensation, so you’re not liable for on-the-job injuries. This protection is crucial given the high value of appliances. You can Learn more about moving insurance options to understand your coverage.
• Peace of Mind: Hiring professionals provides peace of mind. You can relax knowing your valuable appliances are handled with care, freeing you to focus on other aspects of your move. We also offer specialized help for other large items. You can learn more about Moving Heavy Gym Equipment.

How We Prepare and Handle Different Appliances

Every appliance has unique needs for a safe move. Our teams are trained to prepare each item carefully.

• Refrigerator Prep: We advise clients to defrost fridges 24 hours before the move. We ensure all food and loose shelves are removed, the interior is clean, and the doors are secured. To protect the cooling system, refrigerators must be kept upright during transport. We recommend waiting 3-4 hours after the move before plugging it in.
• Washing Machine Prep: Washing machine drums can be damaged if not secured. We use transit bolts, if available, to stabilize the drum. Hoses are drained and coiled, and the power cord is secured. We handle these machines gently to protect fragile internal parts.
• Stove and Oven Prep: For gas stoves, our trained pros ensure the gas line is safely turned off and capped to prevent leaks. For all stoves, we remove and pack loose parts like grates and racks separately and protect glass components with padding. Proper disconnection, especially for gas lines, is a critical safety measure that requires professional handling.

Bernard Movers is equipped to move a wide range of common appliances:

• Refrigerators (including side-by-side, French door, and commercial units)
• Washers & Dryers (including stacked units)
• Stoves & Ovens (gas, electric, and double ovens)
• Dishwashers
• Freezers (chest and upright)
• And more!

We take pride in our ability to handle almost any appliance move. For more about our specialized services, visit More about our specialized services.

Choosing the Right Appliance Moving Service in Chicago

Picking the right appliance moving services in Chicago or Melrose Park is key to a stress-free move. Here’s what to look for:

• Verify Credentials: Ensure the company is licensed and registered.
• Check Online Reviews: Read customer reviews to gauge reliability. Our high ratings reflect our commitment to careful handling and clear communication.
• Experience in Chicago and Melrose Park: Local experience is a major advantage. Movers familiar with Chicago and Melrose Park layouts, traffic, and regulations can ensure a smoother move.
• Transparent Pricing: Look for transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. We provide honest estimates, so you know the cost. Beware of unusually low quotes.
• Ask About Insurance: Verify the company’s insurance coverage, including protection for your appliances, property, and worker’s compensation.
• Check Affiliations: Check for affiliations with groups like the Better Business Bureau for added confidence in the company’s reliability.

Understanding Costs and Specialized Services

The cost of appliance moving services can vary, but we aim for clear and fair pricing.

• Typical Costs: Costs typically range from $30 to $50 per mover, per hour, with most appliance moves requiring a two-person team. Some services offer a flat fee for single-item moves.
• Factors Affecting Price: The final cost depends on distance, stairs, appliance type and size, and the number of movers required.
• How to Schedule Your Service: Scheduling is easy. Get a free estimate online or by phone. We’ll ask for details about your appliances, locations, and desired moving date. Same-day and next-day services are often available.
• Preparing Your Home: To ensure a smooth move, please prepare your home by clearing a path to the exit, protecting floors and doorframes, and keeping pets and children in a separate, safe area.
• Specialized Services: We offer flexible services for kitchen renovations in Illinois, moving and storing your appliances as needed. We also provide specialized services for landlords and property managers in Chicago and Melrose Park, with special rates available for contractors.

Ensuring a Smooth Finish: Your Final Checklist

You’ve chosen the right appliance moving services and our team has handled your items with care. A truly professional move, however, means ensuring a perfect finish. Here’s how to avoid common moving day mishaps and complete your move successfully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Appliance Moving Services

Being aware of these common pitfalls can help your appliance move go off without a hitch.

• Forgetting to Measure: A common oversight is not measuring doorways. An appliance that fit in your old home might not fit through new entryways. Measure appliances and doorways at both locations beforehand.
• Improper Disconnection: Attempting to disconnect gas, water, or complex electrical lines yourself is dangerous. Utility disconnections should be performed by certified technicians for safety.
• Moving a Refrigerator on Its Side: Never move a refrigerator on its side. This can cause compressor oil to leak into the cooling lines, leading to permanent damage. Our team always keeps refrigerators upright.
• Not Securing Internal Parts: Loose internal parts like shelves, drawers, or washing machine drums can be damaged during transit. Ensure all movable components are secured before the move.
• Neglecting to Hire Insured Professionals: Choosing an uninsured mover is a major risk. If an accident occurs, you could be liable for damages or injuries. Always hire a fully insured company for your protection.
• Not Clearing a Path: An obstructed path causes delays and increases the risk of damage. Clear a path from the appliance to the moving truck before the movers arrive.

Your Partner for Stress-Free Moves in Illinois

Once your appliances are delivered to your new home in Chicago, Melrose Park, or elsewhere in Illinois, we ensure your complete satisfaction.

We encourage a final inspection upon delivery. A quick check of your appliances provides peace of mind before our team departs. Regarding the post-move installation check, while we assist with placement, reconnecting utilities like gas and water should be handled by a certified technician to ensure safety and proper function.

At Bernard Movers, we are your dedicated relocation partners. With decades of experience serving Chicago, Melrose Park, and all of Illinois, we understand our community’s needs. We handle everything from residential moves to specialized jobs like Piano Moving Services, treating every item with the utmost care.

We’re excited to help with your next move. As a special thank you, Bernard Movers is currently offering a 20% additional discount on moves to Georgia and Florida booked for delivery by March 15, 2025.

Ready to take the stress out of your next move? Get your free moving quote today! We look forward to being your trusted moving solution in Illinois.