Prepare each appliance by cleaning and drying it, emptying or draining it, unplugging it, securing loose parts, taping doors and cords, and padding the exterior. Start the refrigerator 24 hours ahead so it can defrost. Have a qualified technician handle any gas line. Confirm in writing what your movers will and will not disconnect, because many crews expect the appliance to arrive at the door ready to lift.
This guide walks through each appliance in the order you will actually work, then covers the question that causes the most move-day surprises: who disconnects what.
TL;DR
- Defrost the refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before loading, and turn off the ice maker and water supply a day ahead.
- Clean, dry and empty every appliance. Remove or tape down shelves, racks, trays and cords so nothing shifts in transit.
- Unplug electric appliances yourself, drain water lines, and use a qualified technician for gas lines.
- Reinstall the shipping bolts in a front-load washer before it travels, if you still have them.
- Ask your mover, in writing, whether the crew disconnects or reconnects anything. Do not assume.
Table of Contents
- Do movers disconnect appliances?
- Start two to three days out: a simple timeline
- General rules that apply to every appliance
- How to prepare a refrigerator and freezer
- How to prepare a washer
- How to prepare a dryer
- How to prepare a stove, range or cooktop
- How to prepare a dishwasher
- How to prepare small kitchen appliances
- Protect the path and the appliance
- Common mistakes that cost people money
- Our perspective
- Getting help with the heavy lifting
- Moving-day checklist for appliances
- FAQ
- Sources
Do movers disconnect appliances?
It depends on the company and on what your estimate says. Some crews will unplug an appliance and carry it. Many will not touch water lines, gas lines or hard-wired connections, and some treat disconnecting as the customer's job unless it is written into the agreement. Even appliance makers draw a line: GE Appliances says its delivery agents can disconnect an existing appliance only when installation is available for the appliance you ordered. They also need suitable existing electrical, gas, water and venting connections, and they will not do unrelated carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
That last point is the useful lesson for a move. Connections that are not up to standard, such as a missing shutoff valve or a blocked vent, can stop a professional from finishing the job. If the old connection is questionable, deal with it before the truck arrives.
Essential Tip: Ask your mover three questions before moving day. Does the crew disconnect and reconnect washers, dryers and dishwashers? Is that included in the binding estimate or billed separately? Who handles gas ranges and dryers? Get the answers in writing, with your coordinator or the mover's office.
If you are unsure which of your items a crew may decline altogether, see our list of items movers won't move before you finalize your inventory.
Start two to three days out: a simple timeline
Appliance prep is easier when it is spread across a few days rather than crammed into the final evening.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 days before | Use up refrigerator and freezer food. Find manuals, shipping bolts and mounting hardware. Measure doors and hallways. |
| 1 day before | Turn off the ice maker and water supply. Empty the ice bin. Unplug the refrigerator and freezer and start defrosting. |
| Evening before | Clean and dry everything. Disconnect and drain washer and dishwasher hoses. Remove racks, trays and knobs. Bag and label hardware. |
| Morning of the move | Tape doors and cords. Wrap appliances in blankets or let the crew do it. Confirm the path is clear and the floors are protected. |
General rules that apply to every appliance
The same handful of steps cover almost everything in your kitchen and laundry room. This Old House recommends that you clean and dry each appliance, unplug it, remove or secure loose parts, tape doors, drawers, cords and hoses, and wrap the unit in protective padding.
In practice:
- Clean first. Food residue attracts pests and odors during a move, especially if the truck sits for several days on a long-distance trip.
- Dry completely. A closed, damp appliance develops mildew quickly. Leave doors open until the final wipe-down.
- Remove what can come out. Shelves, racks, trays, knobs and external hoses travel better packed separately.
- Keep hardware together. Store screws, brackets and small parts in a bag taped to the appliance itself, so they stay with the right machine.
- Use finish-safe tape. Painter's tape or similar tape holds doors and cords without pulling off paint or stainless finishes. Avoid strong adhesive tape directly on the surface.
- Photograph the connections. A quick photo of the back of the machine and the wiring saves guesswork at the new home.
How to prepare a refrigerator and freezer
The refrigerator takes the most lead time and causes the most leaks and damage when rushed.
Defrost on schedule
This Old House advises that you defrost refrigerators and freezers at least 24 hours before moving, remove perishables, clean and dry the interior, and vacuum the compressor or condenser. Whirlpool's guidance is more detailed: turn off the ice maker and water supply at least a day ahead, empty the ice bin, remove the food, unplug the unit and let the freezer defrost fully with the doors open.
GE Appliances gives a shorter window for some models, saying to turn the refrigerator off a couple of hours before moving so the evaporator can defrost. Because manufacturers differ, check your model's manual or the maker's support page. When in doubt, the longer defrost is the safer choice.
Step by step
- Plan your food. Eat down the contents in the week before. Pack what remains in coolers for the day of the move.
- Turn off the ice maker and the water supply, and empty the ice bin.
- Unplug the unit and prop the doors open.
- Catch the meltwater. Lay towels and a shallow pan or tray at the base. Expect more water than you think, particularly from a thick freezer frost layer.
- Clean and dry the interior. A mild baking soda solution handles odors. Wipe every surface dry.
- Disconnect and cap the water line if the refrigerator has a dispenser or ice maker. Whirlpool lists capping the line as part of the process.
- Remove or pad the shelves, bins and glass. Whirlpool recommends packing removable shelves, bins and glass parts separately where possible, or padding and securing them if they stay inside.
- Tape the doors shut and tape the power cord to the back of the unit.
- Keep it upright during loading and transport.
GE adds that you should protect the exterior with a blanket and secure loose shelves and trays. Their instructions focus on stopping internal parts from shifting and causing damage.
After you arrive
Place the refrigerator in its new spot and let it stand before plugging it in. Check the owner's manual for the recommended waiting time, since it varies by model. Reconnecting a refrigerator water line is a job for a qualified professional, according to This Old House, so schedule that early if your new home needs it.
How to prepare a washer
A washer holds water in its hoses and pump, and a front-loader has a suspension that needs support during transport.
- Run an empty cycle if you want to clear out detergent residue, then let the drum dry with the door open.
- Turn off the water supply at both taps.
- Remove and drain the hoses. Maytag instructs you to turn off the water, remove and drain the hoses, and reinstall the shipping bolts before transport, and to move the washer upright.
- Unplug the cord and coil it, then tape it to the back or side.
- Tape the lid or door shut using finish-safe tape.
- Bag and label the hoses and the hardware, and tape the bag to the machine.
About shipping bolts
Shipping bolts stabilize a front-load washer's suspension during transport. Maytag explains that they must be removed after installation before you run the machine. If you threw yours away, contact the manufacturer for replacements, or ask a professional installer about the right approach for your model. Do not move a front-loader with the drum unsecured and assume it will be fine.
How to prepare a dryer
Electric dryers are straightforward: unplug, clean the lint trap, vacuum the lint from the vent connection and drum area, and tape the door and cord. Gas dryers add one step you should not do yourself.
This Old House says to have a qualified technician disconnect gas lines. The same applies to reconnecting at the new home. A gas leak is a safety issue, not a convenience issue, so book the technician before moving day rather than the week after. If you smell gas at any point, leave the building and call your gas utility or emergency services from outside.
How to prepare a stove, range or cooktop
- Electric range: Turn off the power, unplug the cord, remove racks and surface grates, and tape the oven door shut. Wrap the glass top or control panel in a blanket.
- Gas range: Have a technician shut off and cap the gas line. This Old House also notes that qualified professionals should handle gas-range installation at the destination.
- Both types: Remove knobs and store them in a labeled bag, clean out the oven, and pack drip pans or grates separately in a box with paper padding.
Glass cooktops are easy to chip. If the unit has a glass top, ask the crew to place a rigid piece of cardboard over it before wrapping.
How to prepare a dishwasher
Dishwashers are usually built into cabinetry, so the preparation starts at the water and power source.
- Run the dishwasher through a short cycle if it is dirty, then dry the interior.
- Shut off the water supply and power at the breaker before touching anything.
- Disconnect the water line, drain what remains in the hose and the bottom of the tub, and cap or tape the ends.
- Remove racks and utensil baskets and pack them separately, as This Old House recommends for dishwasher racks and external hoses.
- Tape the door closed and secure the cord.
If you are not comfortable with plumbing or hard-wired electrical connections, hire a licensed plumber or appliance technician. A poorly capped line can leak inside the truck and damage the rest of your belongings.
How to prepare small kitchen appliances
Coffee makers, blenders, toasters, stand mixers and air fryers are the items most likely to arrive damaged because people toss them into a box. The method is simple:
- Clean and dry each unit, including crumb trays and water reservoirs.
- Pack removable parts separately. Carafes, blades, lids and cords can be wrapped individually.
- Wrap the main body in bubble wrap or packing paper.
- Fill gaps with bubble wrap or crumpled paper so nothing slides.
This follows the small-appliance method outlined by This Old House. If you still have the original boxes, use them. Otherwise, compare materials in our guide to bubble wrap vs packing paper, and read our advice on packing fragile items with enough cushioning for glass carafes and heavier pieces.
Label every box with the room and the contents. Our guide to labeling moving boxes shows how to make the unpacking day faster.
Protect the path and the appliance
Appliances are heavy and awkward, and the floors, door frames and walls between the kitchen and the truck take the damage. Measure the doorways and hallways before moving day, clear the route, and lay down protection. Our guide to protecting floors when moving covers four floor types and the right gear for each.
Also ask how your mover wraps large items. Some crews supply moving blankets for appliances and furniture; others charge for materials or limit liability by weight. Our article on whether movers wrap furniture explains what to confirm, and the same questions apply to a refrigerator or washer.
Common mistakes that cost people money
- Defrosting the same morning. Water pools in the truck or at your old home, and the unit cannot be wrapped properly while wet.
- Leaving shelves loose inside. Glass shelves and drawers shift and crack when the door is taped shut around them.
- Laying the refrigerator on its side without checking the manual. Manufacturers such as Whirlpool say to keep it upright.
- Losing hoses and bolts. The machine arrives, but nobody can connect it.
- Assuming the crew will disconnect gas. Most will not, and a technician's schedule may not match yours.
- Skipping the new-home connections. A missing shutoff valve or wrong outlet can delay installation even when the movers do everything right, as GE's delivery requirements show.
Our perspective
Appliances are where a good estimate and a bad assumption collide. The price can look right on paper, and then on move day the crew says the washer is not included because nobody disconnected it.
At Value Added Moving, we connect you with pre-screened, licensed and insured moving companies and negotiate quotes on your behalf. Our approach is built around binding estimates and a dedicated move coordinator, so the questions in this guide, such as who disconnects the dryer and who wraps the refrigerator, get answered before the truck is booked rather than at your front door.
Our advice is to put appliance handling into the written scope of the move. If you want the crew to do the packing, loading and unpacking, ask for a full-service quote and list the appliances you own. That way you compare like with like, and you avoid paying extra for work you assumed was included.
We claim savings of up to 50% compared to traditional moving company rates, and the clearest way to protect those savings is to remove surprises from the plan.
Victor
Getting help with the heavy lifting
If you would rather not drain hoses, wrap a refrigerator and coordinate a technician yourself, a full-service move may fit. Value Added Moving matches you with pre-screened, licensed and insured movers for local, long-distance and commercial moves, and our full-service movers and packers option covers packing, loading, transport and unpacking. Your coordinator can ask each mover about appliance disconnection before you accept an estimate.
If you are still comparing options, such as hiring a traditional crew or using a container, our comparison of container moving services vs traditional movers lays out the differences. For a longer trip, our long-distance moving company guide explains how to vet a mover and avoid common mistakes, and you can request a long-distance quote here.
Moving-day checklist for appliances
- Refrigerator and freezer defrosted, cleaned, dried, shelves secured, doors taped.
- Ice maker and water line turned off, disconnected and capped.
- Washer hoses drained, shipping bolts reinstalled, lid or door taped.
- Dryer cleaned, vent disconnected, gas line handled by a technician if applicable.
- Stove racks, grates and knobs removed and packed, oven door taped.
- Dishwasher disconnected, drained, racks packed separately.
- Small appliances cleaned, dried, wrapped, parts packed separately.
- Hardware bagged, labeled and taped to each appliance.
- Floors and walls protected, route cleared.
- Mover confirmed in writing on disconnection, wrapping and liability.
- New-home connections checked: outlets, shutoff valves, gas and venting.
FAQ
Do movers disconnect appliances?
Sometimes, but do not count on it. Many movers will unplug an appliance and carry it, yet leave water, gas and hard-wired connections to you or a licensed technician. Ask for the policy in writing, and confirm whether any disconnection fee appears in the estimate.
How do I prepare a fridge for moving?
Turn off the ice maker and water supply a day ahead, empty the food and ice, unplug the unit and let it defrost with the doors open. Clean and dry the inside, secure or remove the shelves, tape the doors shut and tape the cord to the back. Keep the refrigerator upright while it travels.
How long should I defrost a fridge before moving?
This Old House recommends at least 24 hours, while some manufacturers, such as GE, give a shorter window for certain models. Check your owner's manual, and when in doubt allow the full day so the meltwater is gone before loading.
Who should disconnect a gas stove or dryer?
A qualified technician. Gas lines should not be a do-it-yourself job, and the reconnection at your new home should be handled by a qualified professional too. Book the appointment before your moving date.
Can I leave the shipping bolts out of my front-load washer?
No. Shipping bolts stabilize the suspension during transport, according to Maytag, and they must be removed again once the washer is installed. If you no longer have them, contact the manufacturer or a technician before the move.
Sources
- Tips for Moving Your Appliances, This Old House
- Preparing for Vacation or Moving, Whirlpool
- Refrigerator Moving Instructions, GE Appliances
- Delivery and Installation, GE Appliances
- Moving a Front Load Washer, Maytag