Where furniture damage really happens
Most furniture damage does not happen on the highway. It happens in doorways, on staircases, against door frames and when pieces shift inside the truck. Protecting furniture is mostly about those moments: how pieces are prepared, how they are carried through tight spaces, and how they are secured once loaded.
This guide covers what you can do before the crew arrives and what the crew does on the day, so you know what to expect.
What to do before moving day
- Empty drawers in dressers and desks. Full drawers make pieces heavy and can slide open on stairs.
- Remove glass shelves and tops and pack them separately.
- Take down mirrors and art, and keep them flat and upright, never stacked face to face without padding.
- Measure the largest pieces and the doorways, stairs and elevators they must pass through.
- Note anything that is already damaged, so it is recorded before the move.
What the crew uses
FleetGo may use moving blankets, shrink wrap, straps, padding, mattress bags and other protective materials as reasonably appropriate. Moving blankets and dollies are part of the standard equipment covered by the $120 service fee on a local move.
Blankets protect wood and painted surfaces from scratches and dents. Shrink wrap holds blankets in place and keeps doors and drawers closed. Mattress bags keep mattresses clean. Straps secure pieces to the truck wall so they cannot shift.
Why some pieces are wrapped later
Customers sometimes expect every piece to be fully wrapped before it leaves the room. That is not always the safest approach. Some items cannot safely be fully wrapped before they are first moved, particularly on stairs or in confined spaces, where blankets or shrink wrap could reduce grip, cover handholds or create a slipping hazard.
In those cases protection is applied at a safer stage: after the piece is brought downstairs, outside the property, at the truck or inside it. The aim is the same; only the timing changes. If you ask the crew to skip a recommended protective step to save time, that instruction may be documented. The details are in the terms.
Disassembly and large pieces
Taking furniture apart often protects it better than forcing it through a tight space. Basic disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture is included when it is reasonably required and within the booked scope. Keep screws and small parts in labelled bags taped to the piece they belong to.
Some pieces cannot be taken apart safely, and FleetGo does not guarantee that every item will fit through every doorway or staircase. Measuring beforehand turns a problem on the day into a plan. Items over 100 lb carry a $100 heavy-item charge each, and they need the right number of people.
Electronics and fragile furniture
Original manufacturer packaging is strongly recommended for televisions, monitors and computers. Glass-top tables, marble and stone need extra padding and should be carried on edge, never flat. Antiques and pieces with delicate legs or veneers benefit from being described in your quote request, so the crew can bring enough padding.
For how FleetGo handles larger and more delicate pieces, see furniture moving.
Protecting the buildings as well
Protecting furniture also means protecting walls, floors and door frames at both addresses. Clear the path, take up loose rugs, and ask condo management whether the elevator will be padded. Our condo elevator booking guide lists what to ask.
If damage does happen, report it to FleetGo within 48 hours with photos. When you are ready to plan your move, request a free quote.