Moving a Refrigerator, Washer, or Range. What Chicago Movers Handle
Moving a Refrigerator, Washer, or Range: What Chicago Movers Handle
Large appliances are the category of household move where the honest division of labor matters most, and where more customers get confused than in any other. The short version: movers move the appliance; licensed trades disconnect it. That's not a technicality; it's the way it has to work, and here's why.
If you're moving a refrigerator, washer, dryer, range, or dishwasher in Chicago, here's what's actually involved, who does what, and how to prep each machine so moving day runs clean.
The division of labor, plainly
Every appliance in your house connects to at least one utility: water, gas, or hardwired electrical. Those connections are governed by state licensing rules that exclude moving crews, not because we don't care, but because:
- Gas connections require a licensed plumber or gas fitter, both for safety (an improperly capped gas line is a hazard) and for legal reasons (Illinois requires licensed work on any gas connection).
- Hardwired electrical connections (dryers, ranges, some ovens) require a licensed electrician for the same reasons.
- Water lines (fridges with ice makers, washers, dishwashers) are usually accessible to homeowners but should be shut off and disconnected properly to avoid leaks.
Every real mover in Illinois follows this line. If a company offers to disconnect gas or hardwired electrical themselves, they're either taking on liability they shouldn't or promising something they can't legally do.
Refrigerator
What the plumber does first (day before the move):
- Shut off the water supply to the ice maker line
- Disconnect the water line at the valve behind the fridge
- Cap the water line if you're not using it at the new place
What you do the day before:
- Empty the fridge and freezer completely. Everything.
- Defrost the freezer. Remove all ice. If it's a modern frost-free unit, still let it sit unplugged for 24 hours so any hidden condensation dries out.
- Unplug the unit at least 24 hours before moving. This lets the compressor rest and the interior dry.
- Clean the interior with a mild cleaner and leave the doors slightly ajar so nothing gets musty.
- Remove or secure shelves. Glass shelves come out, wrapped separately. Wire shelves can stay in place but should be taped down.
What the movers do on the day:
- Wrap the fridge in blankets and shrink wrap (over the blankets, not against the finish)
- Roll it out on our appliance dolly, which is designed for the weight (a modern fridge is 250-350 lbs)
- Load and strap it upright on the truck, never on its side
- Deliver it to the new home and set it in place
Why fridges travel upright: the compressor uses oil, and if the fridge tips onto its side, oil can migrate into the cooling lines. If that happens, the fridge needs to sit upright for 24 hours before plugging it back in, or the compressor can be damaged when it powers on. Even after a properly upright move, we recommend letting the fridge sit for at least a couple of hours before plugging it in, more if it did tilt at all during a tight corner.
At the new place: the water line reconnection is again your plumber's job. The plug is yours.
Washing Machine
What the plumber does first:
- Shut off both hot and cold water supply lines behind the washer
- Disconnect the hoses
- If the drain line is hardwired to a standpipe, disconnect that too
What you do:
- Run a final empty cycle to drain any water sitting in the drum, then run the drum dry with a towel
- Unplug the unit
- Move the shipping bolts back into place if you have them. These are the metal bolts that came with the machine when it was new, designed to secure the drum during transport. Most people threw them out; if you did, ask us at the walkthrough and we'll pack extra padding to compensate.
What the movers do:
- Wrap the washer in blankets
- Roll it out on the appliance dolly
- Load and strap it upright on the truck
Why the shipping bolts matter: modern washers have a suspended drum, which is what lets them spin smoothly. During transport, that suspension can be damaged if the drum bounces freely. Shipping bolts lock the drum in place. Without them, a bumpy ride can loosen or damage the suspension. We compensate by strapping the machine tightly on the truck and driving carefully, but the honest truth is that shipping bolts are the ideal solution.
Dryer (Electric or Gas)
What the electrician does first (if hardwired 240V):
- Isolate the circuit at the panel
- Disconnect the plug from the outlet
What the gas fitter does first (if gas dryer):
- Shut off the gas supply valve behind the dryer
- Disconnect the flex line
- Cap the gas line
What you do:
- Empty the lint trap completely
- Clean out the exhaust vent hose where it connects to the back of the dryer (most exhaust vents are surprisingly full)
- Disconnect the exhaust vent from the back of the dryer
- Unplug the unit (if standard 120V connection like a plug-in dryer, which is uncommon but possible for some models)
What the movers do:
- Wrap the dryer in blankets
- Roll it out on the appliance dolly, load, and strap upright
Range or Stove (Gas or Electric)
What the gas fitter does first (if gas):
- Shut off the gas supply
- Disconnect the flex line
- Cap the gas line
What the electrician does first (if electric):
- If hardwired (some older ranges) or on a 240V plug, disconnect properly
What you do:
- Remove burners, grates, and any loose interior parts. Box them together.
- Clean the interior if it needs it (moving is a good time)
- Remove the storage drawer at the bottom and empty it
What the movers do:
- Wrap the range in blankets
- Load and strap it upright
Dishwasher
What the plumber does first:
- Shut off the water supply under the sink
- Disconnect the water supply line
- Disconnect the drain line
- Disconnect the power (either at the plug under the sink or, for hardwired units, at the breaker)
What you do:
- Run one empty cycle beforehand to clear any standing water
- Remove the racks and pack them together
- Clean out any debris
What the movers do:
- Because most dishwashers are built into cabinetry, the plumber usually pulls the dishwasher out from under the counter as part of the disconnection
- Wrap and load, strap upright
Note: dishwashers are often left with the old home if they came with the house. If you're taking yours, coordinate with the new home's plumber ahead of time so the reconnection happens quickly.
What about smaller appliances?
Microwaves (countertop or over-the-range), coffee makers, air fryers, toaster ovens, stand mixers, all box normally. Countertop microwaves get their glass turntable removed and packed separately. Over-the-range microwaves that are mounted, if you're taking one, that's a small install/uninstall job, ask us at the walkthrough.
The gas line question, plainly
Chicago has a lot of gas appliances, gas ranges, gas dryers, gas water heaters, gas fireplaces. The gas line has to be capped after disconnection. An uncapped gas line, even with the valve shut off, is a code violation and a hazard. Your gas fitter caps the line when they disconnect the appliance.
If you're leaving an appliance behind for the next resident, the line stays connected. If you're removing an appliance and not replacing it, cap it.
Two rules for you
- Schedule your disconnections for the day before the move. Not the morning of. The crew shouldn't be waiting for a plumber to finish.
- Have the appliances cleaned and dried the day before. Fridges empty and dry. Washers drained. Dryers vent-cleaned. Ranges wiped.
What to expect at the new place
At the new home, the delivery is the reverse: appliances rolled in, set in place, connected to utilities by your plumber, gas fitter, and electrician (schedule them for the same day as the move if you can, or the day after).
Fridges wait to plug in at least a couple of hours, more if the unit tilted. Same principle at the new house as the old.
Where we fit
Our large appliance moving service is built into every household move we do, and single-appliance moves (buying a used fridge across town, delivering a range for a family member) also run under this service. Crews arrive with proper appliance dollies, blankets, and strapping.
Call (773) 275-4100, email info@wcmoving.com, or start with a free quote. Tell us at the walkthrough which appliances are going and their locations; we'll size the crew and the tools for the actual work.
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