Most movers can accomplish their work with some muscle and a few critical tools. Below, you’ll find the equipment we recommend every mover has on the job, and our favorite brands and suggestions.
NEED: Moving Straps
Lifting straps are a must, and Shoulder Dolly’s moving straps are by far the top brand out there. You can get these guys for $40 on Amazon, or get them used for only about $25.
NEED: Ratchet Straps
Another piece of moving equipment you’ll need is rachet straps. Having a 4-pack of ratchet straps is an absolute necessity for any loading and unloading you’ll be doing. Anytime you’re loading up a truck and don’t completely fill the truck, you NEED to strap everything in. Before you ask, no bungee straps will not do the trick. Here’s our pick for ratchet straps, though we’re pretty brand-indifferent. Any 4-pack of ratchet straps will do the trick. This set will cost you about $20. If you’re unaware of how to use ratchet straps in a truck, check out our tutorial.
Here’s our pick
NEED: Basic Tools
For any move you have, the customer will likely need assistance taking something apart or putting it together. Therefore, having basic tools is a must. You’ll need Allen wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers. Other items that will be a good bonus to have are a hammer, box cutter, and tape measure. Here’s our pick for toolboxes on a budget ($20-$30), and if you really want to look like a pro with a drill, here’s a cheap and solid option for a toolbox with a drill ($80). This, however, does not include Allen wrenches which you’ll definitely want as most bed frames require Allen keys.
Extras
These tools are certainly not required moving equipment, but we have team members who like to have them for convenience on jobs, and sometimes that added convenience for them means better tips from clients.
- Hand truck ($50-150)
- Floor dolly ($20 each, the best deal is usually at Harbor Freight)
- Plastic wrap ($20)
- A furniture pad/blanket ($15-20 each)
The hand truck is nice whenever there is a long walk and floor dollies can be useful in the same instance. Plastic wrap is helpful to have in case a customer runs out or forgets to provide any. Finally, a furniture pad is nice to have if you need to drag an item without damaging the flooring.
Conclusion
That’s it! It doesn’t take much equipment to be a pro mover, and if you buy used, you can get everything you need for under $100!
To recap, you need moving straps, ratchet straps, and basic tools. If you’d like to make your move easier, consider investing in a hand truck, floor dolly, plastic wrap, and furniture pads.
Collin Flynn is the founder of UniMovers, where he has overseen more than 4,300 residential moves and 500+ office relocations. With nearly a decade of hands-on experience in moving logistics and furniture installation, he now leads a multi-state moving labor network and develops software for home-service businesses.
