It is highly recommended that you hire interstate removalists, especially when you have bulky furniture and heavy appliances. Unfortunately, not everyone who moves has an allotted budget to hire professional services for the move. If you are opting for a DIY move and you need to relocate heavy or bulky items, there are guides that you can follow to make that task more manageable and reduce the risks of an accident or injury.

Create a moving plan

One of the best ways to avoid any issues during your move is by creating a detailed moving plan that will guide you through everything you need to accomplish. As you create the plan, go through every item that you will take with you and see if any items may require special handling. You also need to note if you will require help in lifting and moving some furniture and equipment.

Prepare packing materials

Packing furniture and heavy appliances require a lot of effort. Hence, it is highly recommended that you prepare packing materials ahead of time and keep them within arm's reach of where you're packing. This way, you won't need to stop working in the middle of a complex packing process just to gather extra materials. If hiring professionals is out of the question, you may ask your family or friends to assist you in getting everything ready for the move.

Use moving tools or aid

Whilst there is no guaranteed way to completely avoid the stress of moving, there are certain guides that you can follow to make the packing process a little easier. For example, you may try using moving aids to make it easier to move equipment and furniture from one location to another. Here are some options you can try:

Furniture sliders are pads that go under the legs of heavy equipment or furniture. Sliders allow you to slide the furniture across rooms without damaging the floor.

You may use moving straps or ratchet straps to secure the belongings packed in your truck or moving. These straps will lessen the movement of objects loaded into the truck and contributes a lot to minimise the damage caused by the forceful movement of packed items.

Using a shoulder dolly when lifting bulky items can help reduce the strain on your back, especially when you need to go up and down the stairs to relocate equipment and furniture. To use this, two people must attach the straps around their shoulders with the furniture or equipment between them. The straps leave the hands free so you can support the item being moved, as well as lift properly utilising your legs and torso.

When possible, see if you can have access to a furniture dolly or hand truck (or dolly). The dolly is an L-shaped cart with two wheels that allows you to lift and roll heavier items, making the move less physically demanding.

You may also use ramps to make items easier to move through elevated areas or when loading them into the container or moving vehicle.

Use proper lifting and packing techniques

No matter how big or small your move is, you and your companions must do everything to avoid sustaining any injuries, especially when you start lifting heavy and bulky items. To achieve this, you need to learn and apply proper lifting techniques that are meant to distribute the weight of the furniture and equipment evenly.

Aside from keeping the injuries to a minimum, applying proper lifting techniques can also help make the job easier and keep the furniture and equipment safe. There are certain methods that you can try to maneuver equipment and pieces of furniture around tight corners or areas of the house.

When you're moving L-shaped chairs or tables, try curling or hooking chairs around doorways or corners.

Lifting tall dressers, cabinets, or shelving units may be awkward and balancing their weight can be very challenging. To make it easier to carry these items, you may tip them backwards and at an angle. Centre the weight of the item by having one person carry the top while the other carries the bottom.

 Even if you have companions to help your lift and move things around, there are certain objects that you shouldn't move without the help of professionals or at least someone who is experienced in moving such items as they are fragile and bulky. This include:

• Exercise equipment

• Fish tank

• Hot tub

• Large or heavy antiques

• Piano

• Pool table

• Washing machines and other electrical appliances