If you’re a booklover, one of the dilemmas you’re likely to encounter when moving is how to move your heavy bookcase and book collection to your new home. Whilst it is possible to move the book and bookcase as a whole, removalists would advise against it since it is dangerous and may cause injury or property damage.
In most cases, hiring professional removalists to pack and move your belongings is an ideal choice, especially if you are looking for a convenient way to move to another state. However, if your budget will not allow this option, there is no need to worry since there are still a lot of things you can do to safely move your belongings without the unnecessary stress. Before deciding, visit the website of the removalists in your area to get a quote for renting a vehicle and booking their full service then compare which one is more suitable to your needs.
Here’s how you can prepare your bookcase for the extensive travel time for your interstate move:
Step 1: Prepare the bookcase
- Remove any books or other items from the bookcase.
- If possible, disassemble the bookcase into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to move and protect the bookcase from damage.
- Wrap each piece of the bookcase in bubble wrap or packing paper.
- Secure the wrapped pieces with packing tape.
- Label each piece of the bookcase with its location in the bookcase.
Step 2: Move the bookcase
- Use a furniture dolly or two people to move the bookcase.
- Be careful not to drop or bump the bookcase.
- If the bookcase is too heavy or large to move on a dolly, you may need to use a moving truck.
Step 3: Pack the bookcase for transport
- If the bookcase is disassembled, pack the pieces in separate boxes.
- If the bookcase is assembled, pack the books and other items in the bookcase.
- Use packing paper, bubble wrap, or blankets to protect the books and other items from damage.
- Secure the boxes or bookcase with packing tape.
Step 4: Transport the bookcase
- Load the bookcase into the moving truck carefully.
- Secure the bookcase in the moving truck so that it does not move during transport.
Step 5: Reassemble the bookcase
- Once you arrive at your new home, unpack the bookcase and reassemble it.
- Put the books and other items back in the bookcase.
Additional tips on packing and preparing a bookcase for moving
If you are moving a large or heavy bookcase, you may want to hire professional movers. Whilst it is an additional cost, it can assure that your bookcase will be moved safely using the proper packing and lifting techniques.
If you are moving the bookcase yourself, be sure to have help from at least one other person. As mentioned above, bookcases are often heavy and bulky. Hence, moving them on your own not only puts you at risk of accidents that may cause injury or damage your belongings.
Take your time and be careful when moving the bookcase to avoid damage. Even if you have limited time, keep in mind that doing each moving-related task carelessly might lead to unfortunate circumstances that may cause injury or damage to your items, especially whilst they are being transported from one location to another.
Label the boxes or bookcase carefully so that you can easily reassemble it at your new home. If your bookcase has screws or other small parts, gather all of these in a bag or container, add a label, then tape to one part of the disassembled bookcase once it is wrapped. In case this is not possible, pack these parts in other boxes that contain similar items or in a box/container that belongs to the same room as the bookcase. This way, you can avoid losing important parts that are required to reassemble the bookcase.
No matter the size of your move, here are additional factors you need to consider when preparing a bookcase:
Time Estimate
This project will take approximately 2-4 hours to complete, depending on the size and weight of the bookcase and the number of people helping you. If you still have plenty of time before the move, consider sorting through the contents of your bookcase to determine which books you will be moving with and which ones you can let go of. In case you have several pieces of furniture to bring during the move, consider disassembling and non-essential ones as early as you can.
Cost
The cost of this project will vary depending on the size and weight of the bookcase, the distance you are moving, and whether you hire professional movers or do it yourself. If you do it yourself, you will need to purchase packing materials, such as bubble wrap, packing paper, and blankets. Whilst it is tempting to skimp on packing materials, especially for short-distance moves, it is highly recommended that you opt for high quality packing materials for your bookcase to prevent damages that may occur during the trip and the moving vehicle comes to a sudden stop or takes a sharp turn.
Packing and moving a heavy bookcase can be a challenging task, but it is important to take the time to do it correctly to avoid damage. By giving yourself enough time to complete each task to safely pack and move your books and bookcase, you can ensure that your bookcase arrives at your new home in good condition.
