Home sales are on the rise in Canada, reaching even record-breaking levels. If you have plans to move soon, make sure you know what you need to about how to move your major appliances (and which ones can come with you!)
What appliances can I take with me when I move?
The appliances that you can bring with you when you move homes depend on your situation. If you’re renting and the house you’re in right now came with those appliances, they of course stay there! However, if you own your home and you’re moving to a new one, that’s where things can get tricky.
In general, when you sell a house, apartment, or townhouse, anything that is fixed in the home needs to stay. That includes items like custom blinds, wall mounts for TVs, and built-in bookshelves. It also includes faucets and shower heads, trees, and flowers planted in your garden, which can surprise some people.
One great explanation I’ve heard realtors use is to imagine your home as a dollhouse. If you were to pick up your home, flip it upside down, and shake it, anything that falls out can usually be taken with you unless you and the buyer agree otherwise. If it wouldn’t fall out when shaken, then it needs to stay behind.
That means that you’re legally allowed to take your major appliances with you unless otherwise specified, as you can unplug them and pop them into a moving van without structurally changing the home. However, major appliances such as built-in wall ovens and built-in stove tops are excluded from this rule, and sellers and buyers will often negotiate appliances as part of the sale. Major appliances are large and difficult to move, and with different widths, heights, and depths, what fits into one kitchen or laundry room may not fit into another. You can check out this post on how much kitchen space you need for your major appliances for more sizing tips.
What appliances are usually left in homes in Canada?
In Canada, dishwashers are usually left behind in a home. Refrigerators and ranges may or may not be included. Washers and dryers almost always leave with the previous owners.
Furnaces, water heaters, garbage disposals, shower heads, faucets, sinks, built-in cooktops, and wall ovens almost always stay behind.
When you move into or out of a new home, always make sure that specific appliances are mentioned as part of the sale or leasing agreement if you’d like to see them included. It can save everyone a good deal of hassle when it comes to moving major appliances!
How do I recycle or dispose of old appliances?
If you move into a home with an appliance that you’d like to upgrade (perhaps to a new energy-efficient model), it’s important to recycle or dispose of the previous one properly. Appliances in good condition can often be sold second-hand or donated to charitable organizations. These buyers or organizations often have methods for picking up, which is one less thing for you to worry about during your move! Older appliances or broken appliances should be taken to the appropriate drop-off depot.
If you’re buying your replacement appliance at Best Buy, the Best Buy Haul Away & Recycle team can remove and recycle your old appliance at the same time they deliver or install a new one of the same type. You can also bring some small appliances and batteries in to Best Buy for recycling, which can save you a trip to your local recycling depot if you’re decluttering during your move.
How to move major appliancesÂ
When you’re preparing to move major appliances, make sure that they’re disconnected first. For some appliances, like your refrigerator, that could be as easy as unplugging them. However, you’ll need to take extra care with appliances that have water or venting connections (like a dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer), as well as appliances like gas ranges, which can become a major safety hazard if they’re not uninstalled correctly.
If you’re unsure of how to install your new appliance or get your old one ready for removal, Best Buy’s appliance delivery team and Geek Squad can help you figure it out. You can also refer to your appliance’s manual. If you’ve lost your manual, call or e-mail the brand directly for help.
Safety is the most important thing when it comes to moving major appliances, so consult a service technician when necessary. Make sure you turn off the appropriate gas, power, or water connections as well before trying to unhook anything.
Finally, take the time to clean and wipe down each appliance before moving it, removing movable parts like shelves and taping doors shut. Tidy your cords with twist-ties to keep them out of the way. (For bulky cords, I like to use zip-ties for extra security.) This will help make sure that both you and your appliance stay as safe as possible during the moving process.
Packing tips for your kitchen
If you’re moving house, I have one key tip for you: pack a few kitchen essentials last! I moved a fair amount throughout my 20s, and that was the most important piece of knowledge I came away with. While you can move things like your clothes, towels, serving dishes, TV, and book collection at any point, your kitchen goods need to go last. And (very importantly) they need to leave in a well-labelled box.
Trust me. Moving is heavy work, and you will want a snack as soon as you’re done. As your last step to moving, pack enough plates, cups, and cutlery for everyone in your home, then move your fridge and freezer items into a cooler or insulated bag right before leaving. I go so far as to label my kitchen essentials with different coloured tape.
When you arrive in your new home, pop your fridge and freezer goods right into your new refrigerator (or back into the one you brought with you). Then, open up that box of place settings so you and your family can fuel up before unpacking. To save on packing materials, I find that linens like towels and pillowcases can make great dinnerware separators for the move.
How to move major appliances and cleaning supplies in your laundry room
One last area to pay special attention to is your laundry or cleaning supply areas. Washing machines and dryers typically move with you, so make sure they’ll fit into their space in your new home! If you need new laundry pedestals or a stacking kit, you can order those ahead of time so you’re ready for installation on your schedule.
Make sure you clearly label boxes containing items like laundry pods, bleach, and cleaning solutions as well. These should stay upright during your move to prevent any leakage, and immediately placed out of reach if you have small kids or pets that might get into them.
Are you ready for your big move? Browse major appliances for your new home online at Best Buy today.Â
