When it comes to moving, your bookcase isn’t just furniture—it’s the keeper of your favorite stories, quirky trinkets, and your random stash of items you didn’t know where else to put. Your favorite piece of furniture should be treated with care. That’s why the experts at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK put together a step by step guide on moving a book case. Lets get moving!
What You Need
- Gloves
For extra grip when picking up the bookcase
- Ratchet Straps
To secure the bookcase on the truck or trailer during transit.
- Moving Boxes
You’ll need a few boxes to move your stack of books in.
- Extra Help
If you are moving a large bookcase, ask a friend to help you.
- Tape Measure
Use a tape measure to measure hallways and doorways the bookcase will be moving through.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Remove all of the books from the bookcase
Before anything else, you need to lighten the load. Remove all books, decorations, and items from your bookcase. Use sturdy boxes or tote bags to pack your books neatly, grouping them by size or genre if you’re feeling organized.
- Measure the bookcase, hallways, any other entryways
Grab a tape measure and carefully measure the dimensions of your bookcase—height, width, and depth. Next, measure doorways, hallways, staircases, and any other entryways it will need to pass through. For large or bulky bookcases, this step is crucial to avoid getting stuck mid-move. Planning your route ahead of time will save you from awkward angles, scuffed walls, and damaged furniture. If your measurements indicate the bookcase won’t fit, consider temporarily removing doors or disassembling the bookcase if possible
- Move the bookcase onto the moving truck
Now it’s time to turn your literary shelf into a traveling masterpiece. With the help of a friend and using proper lifting techniques, carry the bookcase out of your home and onto the moving truck. Be sure to communicate with your lifting partner to make sure you avoid any mishaps while moving the bookcase.
- Secure the bookcase on the truck
Your bookcase is now on the truck, ready for its road trip, but don’t let it roam free, place the bookcase upright against the truck wall—this is the safest position to prevent tipping. If your bookcase is a delicate antique or a modern marvel, surround it with soft padding, like moving blankets to shield it from bumps along the way.
Next, use ratchet straps to fasten the bookcase to the truck wall. Test the straps by giving the bookcase a gentle nudge—it shouldn’t budge, not even a little. Once everything is secure, take a step back, admire your work, and know your bookcase is ready to safely journey to its new chapter.
And there you have it. You now can successfully move a bookcase.
Thinking of Moving Yourself?
Think Again!
While moving yourself may seem less expensive... the costs add up.
Do-It-Yourself Moving Costs:
- Truck Rental
- Mileage
- Fuel Charge
- Additional Insurance
- Equipment Rental
(straps, rope, furniture pads, bungee cords, stretch wrap, dollies, etc.)
- Time
- Boxes & Packing Supplies
- Possible Damages
(belongings, relationships, & injuries)
- Recruiting Friends to Help
- Food & Beverages
- Chiropractor Visits
- Packing a Truck
- Learning How to Maneuver a Moving Truck
- Broken Promises
Call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
We can move as much or as little as you need while fitting your schedule & budget!
