Appliance Moving Company: How to Move Large Appliances (2026 Guide)

Published: October 29, 2026

An appliance moving company transports refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, and dishwashers using appliance dollies, straps, padding, and floor protection. To find one near you, get a written estimate based on your inventory, and schedule a licensed technician for any gas, water, or electrical disconnection.

Moving large appliances isn't simply a heavy-lifting problem — it's a technical one. A full-size refrigerator, a gas range connected to a supply line, or a front-loading washer with an unbraced drum each present risks that go beyond back strain. An appliance moving company is a professional mover with the equipment, trained crew, and licensing to transport large household appliances while protecting the unit, the building, and the people involved. This guide covers which appliances need professional handling, how the protection process works, how pricing works in 2026, and how to evaluate an appliance mover near you before move day.

Key Takeaways

Point	Details
Appliances requiring professionals	Refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, and dishwashers are heavy and mechanically sensitive, so they need the right equipment and preparation for safe transport
Equipment standard	Expect four-wheel appliance dollies, ratchet straps, moving blankets, and floor protection — tools a standard rental truck doesn't include
Verify licensing	Look up an interstate mover's USDOT number on FMCSA's SAFER system before booking
Licensed trades for utilities	Gas, water, and electrical disconnection and reconnection belong to a licensed technician, not the moving crew
Know the pricing terms	Ask about hourly minimums, travel time, card fees, packing supplies, and which valuation option is included — and get it in writing

What Is an Appliance Moving Company?

An appliance moving company is a licensed and insured moving provider that transports large household or commercial appliances using equipment and training specific to heavy, mechanically sensitive items. This distinguishes it from a general furniture mover, which carries standard dollies and furniture pads — tools adequate for dressers and sofas but not for moving heavy appliances like a French-door refrigerator down a flight of stairs.

The core difference is equipment and expertise. A qualified appliance moving service arrives with four-wheel appliance dollies, stair-climbing equipment where access calls for it, heavy-duty ratchet straps, floor protection, and the training to recognize when a gas, water, or electrical connection requires a licensed technician. These aren't optional add-ons — they're the baseline for moving appliances without incident.

Many full-service movers handle appliances as part of a regular household move, so you don't need to book a separate specialist alongside your movers. Confirm in writing which appliance tasks are in scope: transport, padding, and placement are typical for movers, while utility disconnection and reconnection are work for licensed trades.

Which Appliances Require a Professional Moving Company?

Most homeowners underestimate what's involved in moving even standard appliances. Each item below presents a distinct safety or logistical challenge — and a specific reason professional appliance movers are the appropriate choice.

Refrigerators — Among the heaviest items in most homes. Manufacturers generally advise keeping them upright, because tipping can let compressor oil move into the cooling lines. The ice maker water line must be shut off and disconnected before loading — by you or a plumber, not the moving crew.
Washing machines — Front-loaders are top-heavy, and an unbraced drum can damage the bearings in transit. Install the manufacturer's transit bolts and have the supply hoses disconnected before the crew arrives.
Gas ranges — Gas connections are the primary safety concern. Arrange shutoff and line capping with your utility or a licensed technician before the unit moves.
Dishwashers — Built into cabinetry and connected to water and power. A licensed plumber or electrician should handle the disconnection before the unit is extracted from the cabinet frame and transported.
Double ovens and wall units — Integrated appliances requiring careful extraction from surrounding cabinetry and framing before large appliance transport begins.

Pro Tip: When moving a front-loading washing machine, locate the drum transit bolt kit that shipped with the unit — often stored behind the rear access panel or with the manual. If the kit is missing, purchase a replacement set before move day. Moving without transit bolts risks a damaged drum bearing, a repair that can cost more than the move itself.

Appliance	Key Preparation Requirement	Primary Risk Without Professionals
Refrigerator	Defrost per owner's manual; water line disconnected	Compressor damage from tipping; floor damage
Front-load Washer	Install drum transit bolts	Bearing damage during transport
Gas Dryer	Gas shutoff and line capping by licensed tech	Fire or gas leak hazard
Gas Range	Gas shutoff; line capped by licensed tech	Gas leak risk
Dishwasher	Water and power disconnected by a licensed tradesperson	Water damage; stripped mounting
Chest Freezer	Defrost fully; dry interior	Water leakage during transit

How Appliance Moving Companies Protect Your Items

Moving large appliances safely requires a systematic protection protocol — not improvisation. Here's what that looks like in practice.

Equipment: A professional crew carries four-wheel appliance hand trucks, heavy-duty ratchet straps, and stair-climbing equipment when the access requires it. Floor protection — rubber runners, Masonite boards, or heavy-duty felt sheeting — goes down before any appliance moves from its position. This helps prevent the hardwood and tile damage that makes DIY appliance moves more expensive than they first appear.

Wrapping and padding: Appliances are wrapped in moving blankets and secured with stretch wrap before loading. Control panels, glass cooktops, and stainless-steel finishes receive individual padding. It's the same systematic approach antique movers apply to heirlooms — applied here to every appliance, regardless of value.

Transit positioning: A refrigerator transported on its side — even briefly — can allow compressor oil to migrate into the cooling lines, and problems may not show up right away. Professional appliance movers keep refrigerators upright for the entire move. The same discipline applies to any appliance with a specific transit orientation.

For items that cannot navigate standard doorway or stairwell dimensions, some movers offer hoisting and crane services.

Cost of Hiring an Appliance Moving Company

Appliance moving cost is determined by four primary variables: the type and quantity of appliances, the distance between locations, the accessibility of both properties, and which tasks are included in the scope.

Single-appliance moves may be priced per item or at an hourly rate with a minimum. Appliances added to a full residential move usually fall under the overall hourly rate, which often makes bundling more cost-efficient than booking a separate appliance moving trip. The most accurate estimate comes from a walk-through — in person or by video — where the crew reviews stairwells, floor types, and equipment needs before the truck rolls.

For a concrete reference point, Born to Move's published local rates (as of September 2026) start from $160 per hour for 2 movers and a truck, from $240 per hour for 3 movers and a truck, and from $320 per hour for 4 movers and a truck. These hourly moves carry a 3-hour minimum including travel time, and travel time is billed at the same hourly rate. Card payments add 3%, and seasonal rates apply, so confirm the current rate when you request a quote. The hourly rate covers labor, truck, fuel, tolls, and basic released-value protection of $0.60 per pound. Packing supplies such as boxes, tape, shrink wrap, and mattress bags are charged separately.

If an appliance is worth far more than its weight suggests, ask what additional coverage options are available and what they cost before move day.

Cost Factor	Impact on Total Price
Appliance type and weight	Larger, heavier units take more time and labor than compact appliances
Stair access	Each flight adds labor time; stair-climbing equipment may add to the rate
Distance	Local moves are usually billed hourly; long-distance moves are often quoted from your inventory and route
Disconnection scope	Utility disconnection and reconnection are licensed trade work, usually booked and billed separately from the movers
Volume	Bundling several appliances into one job can lower the per-unit cost
Specialty equipment	Hoisting, crane service, or custom rigging adds to the total
Payment and supplies	Card processing fees and packing materials may be added to the labor total

Pro Tip: Request itemized quotes from at least two appliance moving service providers before booking. The breakdown shows whether travel time, minimums, floor protection, and supplies are included in the base rate or billed as additions — a common source of invoice surprises on move day.

Appliance Moving vs. White Glove Moving Services

These two service tiers appear together in moving company marketing but represent meaningfully different scopes of work.

Professional appliance moving covers the essentials: wrapping and padding, loading, transit, unloading, and placement at the destination. It is specialized, efficient, and appropriate for most residential appliance moves.

White glove moving services go further. A white glove move typically includes custom crating or packaging, room-specific placement, and extra handling for high-end pieces. Items that need the most protection can be professionally crated — meticulous, documented, and priced accordingly.

For most standard residential jobs, professional appliance moving delivers the necessary protection at a practical cost. White glove becomes the right choice when appliances are high-value (professional-grade ranges, built-in column refrigerators, commercial dishwashers) or when access is unusually complex. In either tier, reconnecting gas, water, or hardwired electrical appliances at the destination remains work for a licensed technician — book that appointment alongside your move.

Preparing Appliances Before the Moving Crew Arrives

Preparation completed before the crew arrives directly reduces move time and prevents avoidable complications. Knowing how to move appliances efficiently starts with these steps — completed the day before the move.

For a broader checklist covering furniture and household items, the guide on how to prepare furniture when relocating covers complementary preparation steps in detail.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Defrost completely ahead of the move, following the timing in your owner's manual. Residual ice melts during transit and can cause water damage to the truck and surrounding items.
Have the ice maker water line shut off at the valve and disconnected — by you or a plumber — and drain any remaining water before coiling it.
Tape doors closed with painter's tape — duct tape leaves adhesive residue on stainless-steel finishes.
Remove all shelves, drawers, and food items before the crew arrives to reduce weight and prevent interior damage.

Washing Machines

Run an empty spin cycle the night before to drain residual water from the drum and supply hoses.
Install drum transit bolts before the crew arrives. These ship with the machine and are often stored in a labeled bag or behind the rear access panel.
Disconnect and drain water supply hoses. Store all hardware in a labeled zip-lock bag.

Gas Ranges and Dryers

Contact your gas utility in advance to confirm the shutoff procedure.
Unplugging a standard electric dryer cord is simple.
Remove burner grates and control knobs from ranges and pack them separately to prevent scratches.

Dishwashers

Run a short hot-water cycle to sanitize the interior before uninstallation.
The water supply line and power or drain connection must be disconnected by a licensed tradesperson before the unit can be extracted from the cabinet frame. Confirm with your mover whether removing the unit from the cabinetry falls within their crew's scope.

Building Access

Arrange truck parking or a city parking permit if your street requires one.
If your building requires a certificate of insurance or a reserved service elevator — common in many New York City buildings — request both well before move day.

Need help with this? Get a quote

Questions to Ask an Appliance Mover Near You Before Booking

Searching for an appliance moving company near me returns local movers, national carriers, and lead-generation sites side by side. These questions help separate a licensed operator from a risky one.

Are you licensed and insured? Ask for the USDOT number and verify it before booking. In-state moves may fall under a state regulator, so ask which agency licenses the mover where you live and check with that agency directly. Born to Move, for example, lists USDOT 2887241, MC 985934, MA DPU 31826, and Illinois ICC 244189 — numbers you can look up rather than take on faith.

What appliance-specific equipment does your crew carry? A qualified crew answers with four-wheel appliance dollies, ratchet straps, furniture pads, floor protection, and stair-climbing equipment where needed. Vague answers suggest a general mover without appliance experience.

Who handles disconnection and reconnection? Many movers limit their scope to transport and placement. Get in writing who disconnects and reconnects water, gas, and electrical connections — in most cases a licensed plumber, gas technician, or electrician you schedule separately.

What is your policy on gas line work? A responsible mover states clearly that gas shutoff and line capping require a licensed technician. Treat any mover offering to cap gas lines without that licensing as a red flag.

** Ask what level of liability the quote includes, what additional coverage costs, and the exact steps for filing a claim. Get the answers in writing before move day.

Can you provide a certificate of insurance? Many apartment and condo buildings require one before they'll schedule the elevator or loading dock, so ask early.

DIY vs. Professional Appliance Moving: Risks and Real Costs

The DIY appliance move appears cost-effective on the surface. The full accounting tells a different story.

Injury risk is the primary concern. Appliances are heavy, awkward to grip, and often have to travel down stairs or through tight doorways — exactly the conditions that lead to strains and falls. Professional crews use appliance dollies and straps and work in teams, so no one person carries the full load.

Property damage is the second major cost. Without rubber floor runners, doorframe padding, and corner guards, hardwood floors can be gouged, tile can crack under concentrated weight, and doorframes get damaged on tight turns. These repairs can exceed the cost of hiring professional appliance movers.

Appliance damage is the least obvious but potentially most expensive factor. A refrigerator transported on its side — a common outcome with a basic two-wheel dolly — can allow compressor oil to migrate into the cooling lines, and the problem may not appear right away. Repair or replacement can cost far more than whatever was saved on the move.

When you hire someone to move furniture, the work is done by a crew with the right equipment.

Risk Factor	DIY Appliance Move	Professional Appliance Move
Physical injury	High — no proper equipment or safety training	Lower — trained crew with correct tools
Floor and wall damage	Common — no protective materials used	Less likely — runners and padding standard
Appliance damage	Significant — incorrect positioning common	Lower — standardized transport practices
Liability for damage	None — losses come from your pocket	Defined by the valuation option in your contract
True total cost	Truck rental + dolly rental + blankets + fuel + time	One written quote

Pro Tip: Before committing to a DIY appliance move, calculate the realistic total: truck rental, appliance dolly rental, moving blanket purchase or rental, fuel, and the value of your time. For one or two appliances, that total can come surprisingly close to the cost of hiring an appliance moving service.

Getting a Quote for Your Appliance Move

Born to Move is a licensed and insured moving company headquartered in Newton, MA, with offices in Nashua, NH; Pawtucket, RI; Brooklyn, NY; Chicago, IL; and Miami, FL. On moving day, crews arrive within the agreed time window, handle furniture disassembly, padding, and plastic wrap, and load with dollies, straps, and moving blankets. For specialty heavy items such as pianos, pool tables, and safes, ask about them when you request a quote. Quotes are prepared through an online form, phone consultation, or video walk-through that reviews your inventory and access conditions.

Whichever mover you choose, book a licensed technician for gas, water, or electrical connections, arrange truck parking or a permit, and empty drawers before the crew arrives. For more on avoiding delays, the guide on common moving issues and how to prevent them covers the full range of risks.

If you'd like to discuss your specific appliance move, you can request a quote.

Antique Moving Companies: How to Choose the Right One — Learn how to vet specialty movers for valuable and irreplaceable items and what credentials to verify before booking.
Moving Companies That Move Long Distance: A Full Guide — Understand how interstate moving companies price and execute relocations across state lines.
Local Moving Companies Near Me: How to Choose One — A practical framework for comparing local moving providers by licensing, equipment, and written estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What appliances can a moving company move?

A professional appliance moving company can transport refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, gas and electric ranges, wall ovens, dishwashers, chest freezers, and standalone commercial appliances. Appliances connected to gas lines need shutoff and line capping by a licensed technician before the crew handles them, and units with water connections — refrigerators with ice makers, dishwashers, and washing machines — need supply lines disconnected before loading. Oversized items may require hoisting or crane services to navigate non-standard entryways. Confirm specific item coverage with your provider before the scheduled move date.

How much does it cost to move appliances professionally?

Appliance moving cost depends on the type of appliance, number of items, distance between locations, staircase access, and specialty equipment needs. Per-item pricing and hourly rates with a minimum are the most common models, and bundling appliances into a full residential move is often the most cost-efficient approach. For accurate pricing, request a walk-through — in person or by video — so the crew can assess access and equipment needs. Always confirm in writing how travel time, minimums, card fees, and packing supplies are charged.

Do I need to disconnect appliances before movers arrive?

Yes, in most cases. Defrost refrigerators ahead of time, drain washing machines and install transit bolts, and have a licensed technician or your utility handle gas shutoff and line capping. Water supply lines and hardwired electrical connections should also be disconnected by you or a licensed tradesperson before the crew arrives. Confirm the full division of responsibilities with your mover before the scheduled date to avoid delays on the day.

Can movers install appliances at the new home?

Movers can place appliances where you want them at the destination, but appliance moving and installation are usually separate jobs. Before booking, ask your mover exactly what falls within their scope at the destination and schedule licensed trades for the rest.

What’s the difference between an appliance mover and a regular mover?

A regular moving crew is equipped for standard household furniture — sofas, dressers, bed frames — with basic hand trucks and furniture pads. An appliance mover brings equipment suited to heavy, mechanically sensitive items: four-wheel appliance dollies, heavy-duty ratchet straps, floor protection, and stair-climbing equipment where needed. Appliance movers also follow appliance-specific transport practices, such as keeping refrigerators upright and confirming washer drums are braced. Many full-service movers handle both, so ask about appliance equipment and experience when you request a quote.

Born to Move Team

The Born to Move team shares practical, experience-based guidance from working with real customers.