How to send heavy items

The thought of moving your heavy or bulky items from one location to another most probably fills you with dread. Got some back-cracking, toe-squashing, floor-scrapingly heavy items you need to move? In this guide we talk you through how to send heavy items using a heavy item delivery service, in a way that makes it both safe and easy for you.

What’s considered a heavy item?

Heavy items could range anything from a pool table or piano, a pallet of slabs, a sofa or even a safe. If it is too heavy or bulky for you to lift safely by yourself, or even with the support of another person, you might need to arrange a heavy item delivery service.

If this is the case, you’ll be looking to arrange a man and van or a two-man delivery service to help to move your item. They’ll come trained and fully equipped with the specialist manual handling equipment needed for the job, seeing your item safely on its way to its destination in no time.

Similarly, you might have a requirement for heavy parcel delivery. Heavy parcels could weigh upwards of 30, 40, or even 50kg. If your item is packaged and ready to go, but you don’t have the time or means to post heavy items, arrange your heavy parcel delivery online with SoonAs for collection at a convenient time for you. See your heavy parcel loaded straight onto the van and rest assured it will arrive safely at its destination, without any hassle on your part.

What equipment is needed to move heavy items?

Using specialist equipment which is designed to move hefty items, is the best way to prevent injury and damage when sending heavy items or anything of substantial weight. Depending on how heavy or awkwardly shaped your item is, there are a variety of different types of equipment that could be used to move your item and load it off and onto a vehicle.

• Sack truck

Sack trucks or hand trucks are a staple item for shifting overweight loads more easily and are available with different features for specific benefits, such as stair rollers for more effective stair climbing or with a longer shovel for easy loading.

• Lifting Straps

Lifting straps are particularly useful when moving heavy or bulky items that are difficult to pick up or grip easily. Lifting straps - or moving straps as they are otherwise known - support good posture when moving heavy items, helping to alleviate back pain.

• Sliders

Placing furniture sliders underneath your heavy item enables you to easily navigate it across tiled, hardwood or any other smooth floor surface. Not only do sliders protect your item but they will also prevent floors from the risk of being scratched or dented.

How do I ensure the driver turns up with the right equipment for collecting my item?

Describe your item in sufficient detail when placing your job. Adding a photo also helps the driver to visualise the item and work out what equipment will be needed to move it. If there are any special instructions for moving your item, that you want to ensure are followed, you should also mention this when you place your job.

If the driver will be collecting from or delivering to a high-rise building, you should indicate how many flights of stairs they’ll need to tackle at each address, when you place your job.

If you need a second man to lift and move your item, you should also indicate this at the time of placing your job. This will ensure that any drivers bidding on your job have a two-man service available for when you need it and at a price that works for you.

Communicate with the driver before sending heavy items to ensure you are both happy as to the requirements of the job. They may get in touch for further information about your item, so be sure to provide as much detail as you can such as the size or weight of the item, if known.

Remember, you can edit your job listing at any time, which is handy if you want to make additional information about your heavy item available to drivers. Updating your listing should help to prevent you from receiving duplicate queries.

Preparing your heavy item for collection

Once you’re all clear on how to send heavy items and you’ve placed and booked your job, the next step is to prepare your item for collection. How you prepare and package your item will vary depending on what the item is.

The driver should arrive with suitable straps and moving blankets to secure and protect your item from scuffs and scratches during transit. But if you want to attach extra packaging, for additional protection, you should do so before the collection time to ensure the item is ready for loading when the driver arrives.

Book your heavy item delivery today

Arranging a delivery through SoonAs makes your heavy item delivery stress-free. We connect you to customer-rated drivers, with the right vehicle and equipment to collect and deliver your heavy or bulky item for you. So you can sit back and let us do the leg work for you, when it comes to your heavy items.