How do movers handle large appliances, and what should you do before pickup?

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Large appliances split into two jobs, and knowing which is yours saves a delay on move day. The crew moves the appliance: dollies it out, pads it, secures it upright in the truck, and walks it back in at the destination. The preparation, disconnecting, draining, and securing internal parts, is work that has to happen before pickup, and much of it is the owner’s responsibility unless you arrange for it to be done. Where the mover does perform that prep, it shows up as a separate charge called appliance servicing. A refrigerator, washer, or range that is already disconnected and drained loads in minutes. One that is not can stall the whole crew.

What appliance servicing actually means

Under federal moving rules, appliance servicing is the preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment. That is a defined accessorial service, meaning it is billed in addition to the basic transport, because it is extra work the crew is not doing as part of a standard load.

Servicing is not the same as connecting your gas, water, or electrical lines. Movers handle the appliance and the prep that makes it safe to ride in a truck. The actual hookups at either end, especially gas and water supply lines, are typically left to the owner or a qualified technician, and you should confirm where that line falls with your mover and not assume the crew will do plumbing or gas work.

The prep that has to happen first

Each major appliance needs specific preparation before the truck arrives:

  • Refrigerator and freezer: empty it, defrost it, and let it dry out, ideally a day or two ahead so it is not pooling water. Secure or remove shelves and drawers.
  • Washing machine: disconnect hoses, drain the lines, and install the shipping bolts or transit braces that lock the drum so it does not slam around in transit.
  • Dryer: disconnect, and for a gas dryer, have the gas line properly disconnected.
  • Dishwasher: disconnect and drain the water lines.
  • Range or stove: for gas, disconnect the supply line and cap it; clean and secure racks and grates.

Drained, dry, and disconnected is the goal, with loose parts removed or taped so nothing rattles or leaks onto other goods.

Why the prep is on you, and the safety reason behind it

Most of this is owner-side because it touches your utility connections and because the appliance has to be ready, not in the middle of defrosting, when the crew shows up. The safety logic is straightforward: undrained water lines leak in a truck, an unbraced washer drum can damage itself and what is around it, and a live gas line is never something to improvise. If you would rather not do it, ask whether the mover offers appliance servicing and what it covers, and get that on the written estimate rather than discovering on move day that no one prepped the fridge.

What you should do before pickup

Treat appliance prep as its own short checklist in the days before the move:

  1. Defrost and dry the refrigerator and freezer well ahead.
  2. Disconnect and drain the washer, dryer, dishwasher, and any water or gas lines.
  3. Install transit bolts or braces on the washer drum.
  4. Secure or remove racks, shelves, and loose parts.
  5. Decide what you will do yourself and what you want the mover to service, and confirm the charge in writing.

Sort this out at quote time. An appliance that is disconnected, drained, and ready is a quick, clean part of the load. One that is still plugged in and full of water is where the delays and the leaks come from.

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