Appliances are the part of a move that people leave until last, because they are still in use until the last week. That’s exactly why they cause trouble on moving day. A little planning a couple of weeks out makes them the easiest part of the move instead of the heaviest.
First, work out whose appliances they are
If you rent, most built-in and major appliances usually belong to the landlord: the stove, the dishwasher, often the refrigerator. Check your lease before getting rid of anything, because removing an appliance that belongs to the unit can come out of a deposit.
If you are selling, check what the sale includes. Appliances that the contract says stay with the home have to stay; anything it doesn’t mention is worth confirming with your agent before it goes.
If a previous tenant or owner left something behind, responsibility depends on your lease or purchase agreement. In most rental situations, whoever occupies or owns the property now ends up handling removal unless the agreement says otherwise. It’s one of the most common reasons people book an appliance pickup.
Decide what is coming with you
Moving an old appliance across town costs truck space and labor, and older appliances often don’t suit the next kitchen. A good rule is to bring an appliance only if it’s in good shape, it fits the new space, and it would cost noticeably more to replace than to move.
Everything else is better gone before the moving truck arrives.
When to book the pickup
Book it for a few days before moving day. The last day is already full, and an appliance pickup the same morning as the truck competes for the doorway, the elevator and the parking spot.
Work back from the prep. A refrigerator or freezer needs to be emptied and defrosted a day or two ahead, so clear it out early and live off takeout for a couple of days. A washer needs its hoses drained. There are step by step guides for both: refrigerators and washers and dryers.
In an apartment building, check the move-out rules first. Many buildings require you to book the service elevator and keep to set hours, and the pickup has to fit inside them.
Make it one pickup
If there are several appliances going, put them all on the same pickup. The area service fee is charged once, so every appliance after the first adds only its add-on price. The pickup calculator shows the starting total for your list.
A moving-out checklist
- Lease or sale contract checked for what stays with the home
- List of what goes with you and what goes for good
- Pickup booked a few days before the moving truck
- Building’s elevator and move-out hours confirmed
- Fridge and freezer emptied and defrosted a day or two ahead
- Washer drained and everything unplugged on the day
With the appliances gone a few days early, the empty kitchen is also the easiest room to clean before you hand over the keys.
