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Get a Move On

A Downsize Move That Fits: How to Downsize and Squeeze in Your Large Items of Furniture Too

27 September 2017

Hazel Bailey

Australian houses are the largest in the world, with the average Australian home being around 243 square metres in size. However, although Australians love their space, having such large houses does come at a price. Australians also have the highest energy bills. So it makes sense to downsize, especially if you have a small family. Currently, more Australians than ever before are ditching houses for apartments. It is often cheaper and more convenient.

However, your old furniture could become a problem during your move. You might well be faced with the brain-wracking prospect of figuring out how to navigate the narrower hallways and stairwells of an apartment block whilst clutching huge items of furniture. It doesn't matter how good you are at maths and physics, if an item of furniture is too big—it's too big. But do you sell it or give it away?

No, you disassemble it—or you have your removalists disassemble it and then reassemble it in your new apartment or small home.  

The Best Removalists Disassemble and Reassemble Furniture

Although they will charge a little extra on top of your normal moving fee, a good removalist will have the tools, the manpower, and the know-how to disassemble your furniture on moving day. That furniture can then be more easily carried into your new apartment and reassembled in the rooms of your choice. However, while many movers will disassemble furniture, they do not disassemble more complicated items such as:

• pianos
• pool tables
• water beds
• tanning beds
• baby cribs

These items require specially trained individuals, as the risk that something will go wrong is too great. However, a good moving company will train its staff to remove mirrors from dressers, legs from tables and items held together with screws and to disassemble cabinets and beds. Make sure you tell your mover up front if you have multiple items of furniture you wish to disassemble, along with what those items are.

You'll Need to Do Some Jobs Yourself

While skilled removalists can disassemble many types of furniture, and should have experience doing so, there are some jobs that they may not be willing to do. For instance, unhooking and taking apart large entertainment systems, unhooking washing machines, taking down paintings, and disassembling complicated items of furniture such as multi-piece entertainment centres may not be feasible. They most likely won't have that kind of liability coverage.

Therefore, you may need a specialist to do it for you beforehand. Alternatively, you could do it yourself.

Disassemble the Furniture Yourself to Save Money

If money is an issue, you could do half the job yourself—for example, you could disassemble the furniture before you move and have your movers reassemble it at your new home. However, make sure you let your movers know in advance so that they can send the right team with the necessary experience for the job.

When hiring a removalist at an hourly rate, disassembling the furniture yourself will help to save you money. However, be sure that you have everything disassembled and packed together before your removalists arrive so that they can load everything onto the truck in the order that you prefer.

Lastly, if you own several flimsier items of furniture, you should perhaps consider selling or giving them away. Movers may be reluctant to move items that might break easily due to the liability involved.

Although you may be flogging some of your furniture on Craigslist and Facebook, by using this service, you'll be able to keep those items of furniture that have a special place in your heart. Be sure to discuss this option in detail with your removalists to avoid any misunderstandings regarding what cna and what can't be disassembled. 

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