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A chandelier brings luxury and elegance to any home. You don’t want to miss out on these benefits if you plan to move to a new house, but taking a chandelier down and relocating it can be difficult. Learn how to pack a chandelier for moving in this helpful guide from Auburn Moving & Storage, Sacramento’s expert moving service.
As long as you follow these tips, you can relocate with your beloved light fixture safely in tow. Keep reading to see how professional movers pack chandeliers.
Cut Off Power
Before you can even think about disassembling the light fixture and wrapping it into safe packing boxes, you must turn off its power source. Tinkering with electrical objects can turn dangerous quickly if you don’t take the proper precautions. You could face strong electric shocks or risk damage to the electrical system if you start dismantling the chandelier right away.
Go to your home’s fuse box and cut the power to your chandelier. If you’re unsure where the fixture gets its power supply from, a local electrician can help and make it safe for you to continue with packing.
Take Off Removable Pieces
Once you eliminate the risk of electricity, you can step onto a ladder and start disassembling the lighting fixture. Have someone help you as you disconnect the wiring, unhook the chandelier, and lower it onto the ground.
Most chandeliers have removable pieces, including:
- Light bulbs
- Lamp shades
- Hanging crystals
- Other decorative adornments
If you ask a professional how to pack a chandelier for moving, they’ll tell you to remove these pieces and keep them all together to make unpacking in your new home much easier. It’s possible to keep some items attached to the fixture with tape and bubble wrap, but you still risk damage en route. Only leave pieces that aren’t fragile or valuable.
Organize Hanging Hardware
Many people enjoy chandeliers in home designs but don’t realize how many components keep them hanging safely. After you remove all detachable adornments, it’s time to start disassembling the hardware. Use basic tools to remove items like:
- Screws
- Chains
- Bolts
Put each type of hardware into separate bags and then place them in a labeled box. The chandelier may have wires or cables that you can’t remove. Use ties to keep all wires together and prevent them from tangling throughout the fixture.
Wrap the Chandelier’s Body
Even someone who doesn’t know how to pack a chandelier for moving could probably assume that experts place the fixture in bubble wrap or other protective paper. This essential step protects the body of the chandelier and prevents arms or other pieces from facing damage during the move.
Use several layers of bubble wrap and secure it to the chandelier with tape. For optimum safety, you can then transfer the fixture into a large bag containing packing peanuts.
Choose the Right Size Shipping Container
Small chandeliers can usually ship in a standard wooden crate, but you may need to arrange a custom container to fit the body of your chandelier. This is one of the final steps before shipping your light fixture to your new home, and it requires care and precision. Experts recommend the following tips when choosing and preparing a shipping container:
- Allow four inches of space between the body and each side of the crate.
- Apply bubble wrap or moving blankets to each side of the crate for protection.
- Fill the empty space in the crate with packing materials to avoid movement of the chandelier during transit.
Coordinate with local moving or shipping companies if you need help getting a container and packing materials for your chandelier.
Package Smaller Items and Label Your Containers
You can either pack all the smaller, removable items in a box and take it with the rest of your belongings or include it in the shipping container holding the body of the chandelier. No matter how you decide to transport the smaller items, make sure you label the package so unpacking is made easier.
When the large container holding the chandelier is ready to ship, label it with safety instructions for carriers. The last thing you want is for your valuable chandelier to arrive at your new home with dents and damage because of improper handling. Labeling the container lets carriers know to handle the package with care and helps you avoid unwanted damage during the moving process.
Display in large, legible letters “Fragile” and “This Side Up” to make the message clear. Shipping carriers will act accordingly and make sure the package doesn’t sustain any damage.
Unveil the Chandelier in Your New Home
Once you know how to pack a chandelier for moving and follow all the steps above, you can head to your new home with all your belongings and wait for the chandelier to arrive. When it does, the fixture should be in excellent condition thanks to the protective bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Locate the labeled box containing all the hanging hardware and unpack all the items.
You can then remove the ties bundling the wires together and reattach the loose lightbulbs, crystals, and other adornments. An electrician can help you prepare the new space for a chandelier by setting up all the wires and preparing to hang the fixture.
Make Moving Effortless With Auburn Moving & Storage
Not many people know how to pack a chandelier for moving or handle other delicate items when relocating homes. With Auburn Moving & Storage, the moving process doesn’t have to be difficult. We offer full-scale packing, moving, and storage solutions to make any change of residence simple and stress-free.
Contact our team if you need a professional moving service or tips to prepare for your move, such as an address change checklist or efficient moving day timeline. Call Auburn Moving & Storage at (916) 786-8683 to speak with a specialist.
