Essential Equipment Needed for Local and Cross-Country Moves

Whether you're relocating across town or transporting your household across the country, the right moving equipment makes all the difference. At Georgia Home Movers, we’ve handled thousands of residential and commercial moves, and we know firsthand that being properly equipped is the key to a smooth, safe, and stress-free moving day.

Below, we break down the essential equipment needed for both local and long-distance moves, why each tool matters, and how they help protect your belongings—as well as your time, your nerves, and your wallet. Whether you are going DIY or hiring professionals to handle your move, the right tools make all the difference!

Why the Right Equipment Matters

Many people underestimate what goes into a successful move. Boxes and a truck may seem like the basics, but without the right gear—like dollies, lifting straps, moving pads, or even something as simple as high-quality tape—your move can quickly become physically exhausting, unsafe, and inefficient.

• Proper moving equipment ensures:

• Protection for furniture, appliances, and fragile items

• Safety for homeowners and movers

• Efficiency, reducing loading and unloading time

• Damage prevention, saving money on repairs

• Peace of mind throughout the moving process

At Georgia Home Movers, we bring professional-grade equipment to every job. We will take the worry out of your Atlanta move. Here’s a full breakdown of what you’ll need if you're assembling your own moving toolkit and going at it from a DIY approach.

Essential Equipment for ANY Move

Whether it’s local or long-distance, every move starts with the same foundation of equipment. These items are non-negotiable for protecting belongings and preventing injuries.

1. Sturdy, Right-Sized Moving Boxes - High-quality boxes keep your items secure during transport. It’s important to use the right sizes:

• Small boxes – best for books, tools, canned goods, and heavy items

• Medium boxes – ideal for clothing, decor, and kitchen gadgets

• Large boxes – for lightweight items such as linens or pillows

• Wardrobe boxes – essential for hanging clothes

• Dish packs – double-walled for fragile kitchenware

Cheap or mismatched boxes may collapse or cause unbalanced stacks…don’t skimp here!

2. Packing Supplies (Tape, Paper, Bubble Cushioning)

A move is only as secure as its weakest packing materials. The following are essentials for every move:

• Packing tape – industrial-strength tape ensures boxes won’t pop open

• Packing paper – perfect for plates, glasses, and fragile items

• Bubble cushioning – recommended for electronics, artwork, collectibles

• Shrink wrap – keeps drawers closed and protects fabrics

• Labeling markers – critical for organization

Proper packing prevents breakage, keeps load time efficient, and minimizes stress unpacking at your new home.

3. High-Quality Furniture Pads and Moving Blankets

These padded blankets protect:

• Wood furniture

• Appliances

• Glass surfaces

• Electronics

• Artwork

• Metal pieces

They prevent scratches, dents, and shifts during transport—especially important for cross-country moves where items experience long hours of vibration on the road.

4. Moving Dollies (Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel)

Professional movers (like us) always rely on dollies to reduce heavy lifting. It is not simply efficient; it is also often the only safe way to move something heavy.

Two-wheel dollies – for stacked boxes, tall items, or narrow spaces

Four-wheel dollies – for furniture, dressers, desks, and bulky items

Using dollies prevents injury, speeds up the process, and reduces the risk of dropping items. You can also look into appliance dollies, which are two wheelers with additional straps for securing appliances.

5. Lifting Straps and Harnesses

These are simple tools that will help protect your back and allow for safe maneuvering of heavy furniture and appliances.

• Distributes weight more evenly

• Makes lifting easier on stairs

• Reduces the chance of injury

They’re especially useful for tight hallways or in older homes with narrow doorways. Don’t underestimate the value of a good strap!

6. Tool Kit for Disassembly & Reassembly

Essential for beds, dining tables, sectionals, and large appliances. You don’t need a huge set of professional tools, but a solid set of comfortable hand tools will take you far in your move.

Your most basic tool kit should include:

• Screwdrivers – both flat and Phillips heads, and good to have a few sizes

• Allen wrenches

• Socket set

• Drill – don’t forget your bits!

• Zip-top bags for hardware. Here’s a good tip: put all hardware in a Ziploc bag, then tape it to the appliance or piece of furniture it goes to…it’ll save you lots of time and worry in reassembly.

The ability to quickly disassemble large pieces reduces headaches and prevents damage during loading.

7. Moving Truck or Trailer With Proper Tie-Downs

Whether it’s a pickup truck for a local move or a 26-ft commercial truck for cross-country hauls, make sure it’s equipped with:

• E-Track straps

• Bungee cords

• Ratchet straps

• Load bars

These prevent shifting and sliding, which is one of the most common causes of moving damage. Securing everything inside the truck is the only way to prevent damages from happening in a move of any distance.

Equipment Specifically Needed for Local Moves

Local moves generally involve shorter travel distances and multiple trips are often needed. The focus for most local moves is on efficiency and maneuverability.

Here’s what tools are especially useful for local moves:

1. Compact Dollies and Hand Trucks - Local moves often involve more back-and-forth trips between home and truck. Smaller, lightweight dollies make it easier to maneuver through tight spaces.

2. Doorway and Floor Protection - Because movers often walk the same path repeatedly, protecting your home matters. Carpet runners, door jamb protectors, and Masonite floor boards might all be put to good use. These prevent accidental scuffs and scratches during repeated loading and unloading.

3. Plastic Crates or Reusable Bins - For short-distance moves, reusable bins are convenient because they don’t collapse, they’re easier to stack, they keep items weather-safe, no need for excessive tape, and they are perfect for offices or small apartments.

4. Appliance Dollies (for short trips) - While appliance dollies are useful for any move, local moves may require more frequent relocation of large appliances due to tight corners or multiple floors.

Equipment Specifically Needed for Cross-Country Moves

Long-distance moves bring a different set of challenges—mainly extended transportation times, weather changes, and high vibration on the road.

These additional tools also help secure your belongings for the long haul:

1. Heavy-Duty Straps and Load Bars - Long drives mean your load must be secured against shifting for hundreds or thousands of miles. Heavy-duty restraint systems are a must.

2. Waterproof Mattress and Furniture Bags - Protects againstall the following potential issues: Moisture, dirt, road debris, temperature changes/weather conditions

These are essential when moving across multiple states and encountering different climates.

3. Inventory Tracking System - For long-distance relocations, an inventory list prevents lost items and helps you stay organized. This can be handled with a digital app, a printed checklist, or even something as simple as using numbered box labels

Georgia Home Movers uses numbering systems designed to make long-distance unloads seamless…we help you stay in control of every aspect of your long distance move. Call us, andtake the worry out of your next move in or out of the Atlanta area.

4. Specialized Crating for Fragile Items - For artwork, televisions, sculptures, and antiques, crating is oftenrecommended. Wood crates provide impact protection, moisture resistance, anti-vibration padding and more. Crates are often crucial for valuable or delicate pieces traveling long distances.

5. Long-Haul Rated Moving Blankets - These are thicker, more insulated, and made for multi-day trips. They keep furniture safe from friction and shifting, even on bumpy highways.

We Got You Covered

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful even if you decide to handle it all yourself—as long as you have the right equipment and an experienced team to help. Whether you're moving locally within Georgia or embarking on a cross-country relocation, the righttools ensure your belongings stay safe, organized, and damage-free.

If you prefer to trust your belongings in the care of experienced pros, give us a call and we’ll handle everything. At Georgia Home Movers, we supply all the professional-grade moving equipment needed for any type of move. Our crews are trained, efficient, and committed to making your relocation smooth from start to finish. Take the worry out of every step and put your next move in our trusted hands.