How to Pack a TV for Moving Cross Country In #5 Easy Steps

When you decide where you’ll live, don’t forget that you’ll have some planning to do. From notifying everyone about the move, changing address, and also preparing for movers. Whether you’re relocating across the country or just around the corner, you need to have everything planned out. No one likes to unpack the boxes full of broken stuff after the move. That’s why knowing how to move a TV and other fragile items are more than important. Have a stress-free relocation with some of the best relocation tips.

Learn Why It’s Important to Know How to Pack a TV for Moving

There are many reasons why someone is relocating, but mostly, people are seeking better houses to live in. No matter the reasons, you surely want to avoid the relocation stress that can ruin the whole experience. That’s why you should consider all the steps that will make a move efficient. The best way is to create a relocation to-do list where you’ll have all tasks in one place. For example, you surely won’t forget to hire reliable long-distance moving services that can help you with packing services and, if needed, auto transport as well.

When it comes to wrapping up your stuff, there are some rules you should follow. Especially if you plan to move some fragile items, like flat screens. Yes, they might seem easier to pack than the older ones (box version), but keep in mind that you can easily drop them, get them damaged or scratched. That’s why knowing the right steps and wrapping methods will save you a lot of money and nerves.

Step 1: Prepare the Small Screen Before the Move

If you wonder how do I protect my TV when moving, the answer is to begin properly – from the first step. It’s the ultimate relocation hack if you want to have your telly in one piece after the move. So, include preparation in the relocation plan to another city because nowadays TVs cost around $600 for 40’’ screens. You can imagine how much you’ll spend on repairs. That’s why you should avoid any kind of mistake and save a lot of money.

The first steps are the most important ones because it won’t mean much if you prepare a telly properly if you didn’t prepare it properly. Keep reading and check what you need to do and have this delicate task done correctly.

Remove the Base and Cords for More Comfortable Packing

When you decide that telly is some of the things you need for the first apartment, keep in mind that relocating it isn’t the hardest thing you have to do. However, you don’t want to mess it up and not deal with logistics – what makes this task so delicate.

So, the first thing you should do is to unplug all the cables and remove the base. That way, your TV will be completely free, and it will be easier for you to wrap it up. The stands are usually easy to remove; you just need to unscrew them.

Remove all the cables and accessories, but before that, make sure you take a picture of the back (or place where the cables are.) That way, you won’t have trouble plugging everything in once you move in.

Clean the Delicate Surfaces Before the Wrapping Process

Relocating to a new state is a challenging process because many things will change. You’ll have to adjust to the unknown surroundings, and you surely don’t want to deal with some stuff like cleaning. That’s why you should clean the delicate surfaces of your TV after you remove all the cables and accessories. Also, it will be easier to put everything back in with a clean area.

Label All Cables for Easier Reconnecting After the Move

Once you take a picture of the settings, unplug each cable at a time, clean the whole TV, ensure all the external parts are protected. When you think about relocation essentials, remember you’ll have to get some ziplock bags, tape, and sticky notes. This will be quite handy if you have many things plugged into the TV. You shouldn’t remember which cable goes where, so put them in the ziplock bags and write what’s in them.

Step 2: Gather the Supplies and Wrap It Up With Soft Material

Accidental physical damage usually isn’t covered by insurance if your telly is under warranty. Even if you consider getting insurance when you contact professional long-distance movers, know that it can cost you a lot of money.

When you plan a move, and you’re having second thoughts about how to move a flat-screen TV, know that with the right packing supplies, it will be more than possible. It’s best to plan the relocation budget first and then get as many supplies as you can. Here are supplies you should use:

• Relocation blanket,
• Bubble and plastic scratch wrap,
• Tape,
• Fragile stickers.

On the other hand, we all know that relocation services aren’t free. And all the new materials you have to gather, not just for TV, can be quite pricey, too. So, using some soft materials from your home can be a good substitute. Blankets or a few layers of sheets instead of relocation blankets will save you money. Also, you can find some free supplies on Craigslist; just be sure they are in good shape.

Step 3: Box It Up in the Right-Sized Package

Every television you buy should have a package that includes a carton and foam pieces. These pieces are very useful because they protect the corners of the TV and keep it from shifting during transport. So, if you wonder how do you pack a TV to move house, the first thing to do is find the original package if possible.

Find the Original Box – It’s the Best Method for Securing Television

Once you consider all the benefits of relocating your flat screen, you should proceed with the protecting part. Every TV should be wrapped in a soft material, like a relocation blanket or any soft material you find. Apply one of the best packing hacks – be generous with the materials. Wrap the whole television with the plastic scratch and then cover it with the blanket.

When the device is wrapped, place it gently in the original prepared package – put the foam pieces into the corners of the box first. Don’t think, because it’s all wrapped up, that you can just drop inside the package because any wrong move can cause the crack. Also, if you notice any gaps inside, use some soft paddings (socks or towels), so the device won’t be able to shift.

How to Move a Flat Screen TV Without a Box

If you’re in the last-minute relocation and you can’t find the original package, don’t worry. You can treat your device as a piece of furniture and use the same materials you already have. OK, it’s maybe not the ideal solution, but it will provide the needed protection during the move.

The good news is that you can find online or in local stores the foam pieces for the corners of the TV. That way, even without a package, you can put the foam on the already wrapped TV; just be sure everything is sealed with the tape. It’s a good idea, especially if you plan to put it in the back of a truck.

For the other parts of your TV (stand, cables, or the internet receiver), you can find some free boxes and successfully save on the relocation costs. If you’re interested in more ideas on how to cut relocation costs, watch the video below.

Step 4: Secure the Telly for the Truck and Storage

When your flat-screen TV is all padded up and protected, you should think: how do you pack a TV for storage and truck. This is a step you shouldn’t avoid if you plan to move a TV with professional cross-country movers and their truck or even rent a storage unit. Luckily, there are many additional steps you should take for preparing the TV except wrapping it with soft material and sealing it with tape.

However, if you plan on using a relocation truck, you’ll have to put a blanket on the truck’s floor and create some kind of cushion. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting your flat screen cracked during the transport.

Can You Lay a TV Down When Moving?

If you contact professionals, that would say it’s a bad idea to have a TV lying in the truck during transportation.  Even though you protect it appropriately, it’s always better to keep it upright, no matter if it’s during transport or it’s being stored. That way, you won’t risk getting the LCD, or internal parts of the TV damaged.

Consider All Conditions of Truck and Storage and Protect Your Telly Accordingly

Relocating to a new home means you should be creative and make room for all of your belongings to fit in the future house. However, there’s always a possibility you can’t put all of the stuff at once in the future condo. That’s why knowing how to protect items in the storage units is more than important.

If you plan to use this kind of facility for your TV, you should consider one of the places with a controlled climate. It will maintain the optimal temperature for storing TV and other similar items you want to keep inside.

Step 5: Learn Tips for Safely and Efficiently Unpacking TV After the Move

Although there are many things to do after the move, a lot of boxes to unpack and make an apartment feel like home, unpacking your TV should be one of the first steps. It’s a good idea to have one additional pair of hands, if possible, to help you out. One will hold the TV up straight and the other will gently unbox it. After it’s safely removed, ensure the TV comes to room temperature and then start plugging all the cables and accessories in.

Experts Will Know Best How to Pack TVs for Moving

A TV has become an inevitable member of the family, so it’s completely normal to wonder how to pack a television for moving. However, if you’ve never done it before, it can seem like a challenging thing to do. In that case, you should contact the professionals and let them do all the hard work. That way, you can learn some useful hacks and apply them during the next move. Learn how to pack a TV for moving with five simple steps and keep your telly in one piece without a scratch. Avoid any kind of mistakes with our easy tips.