A refrigerator is not just heavy. It holds water lines, a compressor and, in the case of a washer, a drum that must be secured so it does not swing. Appliance service is the small set of steps that makes those machines safe to carry.
What the FMCSA says
The FMCSA booklet lists accessorial services such as packing, unpacking, appliance servicing or piano carrying that you request or that become necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances. A separate entry, appliance service by third party, defines the preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for transportation, with charges that may be in addition to the line-haul charges.
Typical preparation by appliance
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your model. Gas, water and electrical connections are for a qualified technician.
- Washer: drain the hoses and secure the drum with the manufacturer's transit bolts or kit
- Dryer: disconnect the vent and, for gas models, have the gas line capped by a qualified technician
- Refrigerator: empty it, defrost the freezer and let it dry, and secure the doors
- Range: disconnect the gas or electrical supply and secure the oven racks
- Dishwasher: disconnect water and drain lines
Who does what
Disconnecting a gas line is licensed work in most places, so a crew may rely on an outside technician, which makes it a third-party service. Read the third-party services entry to see how that charge reaches the bill. Section 375.505(e) requires the mover to tell you when it reasonably expects a special or accessorial service is necessary to move a shipment safely.
Where it appears on the estimate
Charges for services such as these must be determined before the bill of lading is prepared under 375.401(f), or the mover may bill you for them after 30 days. List each appliance at the survey, say which have gas or water connections and tell the estimator whether you want them moved with the household or sold. O'Brien's moves household appliances, so the estimate can include them and say what preparation each needs. See household appliance moving.
At the new home
Plan for the hook-up too. Check that the new space has the right outlet, a vent, a water shutoff and room for the door to swing. A washer that sits in the hallway for a week waiting for a plumber is the most common end to an otherwise smooth move.