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How to move a flat screen TV the right (and wrong) way

What's the best way to move a flat screen TV? You can avoid an expensive blunder by following these eight tips.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
·Contributing writer
TV moving box
TV moving box (Credit: Amazon)

One of the trickier parts of moving is figuring out how you’re going to transport your TV. For many of us, our TV is a prized possession. Besides furniture, your TV is probably one of the largest, and most expensive, things in your home. It’s also a lot more delicate than much of the stuff you’ll need to move.

Whether you have one TV or several, you can inadvertently damage them beyond repair if you’re not careful. However, some simple measures exist to ensure your TVs survive the move unscathed. There are also some potential pitfalls.

Here's how to move a flat screen TV the right, and wrong, way.

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If you’re tech-savvy you might remember where all those cords are plugged in without needing a reminder. Most of us, however, could use some guidance. Taking pictures of how your plethora of cables is connected to the back of your TV can help make sure the setup is the same after shifting homes.

If you have a lot of devices plugged into your TV, make sure you double-check that all cables are disconnected before moving it. Even one stray cable can cause lasting damage to it and the TV port if it gets snagged on something during the move. The last thing you want when you arrive at your new place is to find out one of your TV’s HDMI ports no longer works.

The easiest way to avoid damaging your TV is to use its original box and packaging if you still have it. Specialty TV moving boxes are also an option, but they can get expensive if you have more than one TV (this two-pack costs roughly $39 at Walmart). However, these boxes come with proper packing materials, such as a screen cover to prevent scratches and corner foam to hold the TV in place.

Walmart

Pen + Gear Universal TV Moving Box

A simple, affordable and reusable TV moving box.

$38 at Walmart

Even if you plan to move your TV in a proper TV box, consider how you’ll organize it with your other moving boxes. Putting pressure on the screen by laying it flat and piling on other stuff is a sure way to damage it, especially when it’s bouncing around in the back of a moving truck. Always stand your TV upright, just as it would be on your TV stand at home, to avoid any screen scratches or breaks, and make sure you have a specific, protected space for it in your car, truck, or moving vehicle.

With all of the care going into moving the TV, it can be easy to forget to secure the remote in a strategic place. During my recent moves, I taped the remote to the TV box, so I knew exactly where it was. Whatever the method, make sure it’s easy to find the remote once the TV is situated in your next home.

Once you pack your TV and put it in your moving truck you need to ensure it doesn’t tip in transit. I recommend using bungee cords to secure it to the inside of the vehicle. However, if it’s in a TV box, you could also pack tightly between other boxes to prevent damage. It’s safer, however, to secure it in some way.

If you’re moving in the middle of summer or the dead of winter, make sure your TV won’t have to sit in the moving truck for extended periods. Exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures for a long time can damage the display. It can be wise to make sure the TV is one of the last things you load and one of the first you unload.

First of all, it’s a bad idea to move a TV without a box, but you may have no choice. If that’s the case, you should take some alternate measures to protect the screen.

Your first step should be to wrap the TV in a very soft blanket. To avoid micro-scratches on the screen, don’t use anything made of scratchy or rough material. Once you wrap the blanket, secure it in place with packing tape.

Follow that up with plenty of bubble wrap ($26 at Amazon) to help absorb unintended bumps. Typically a TV box would come with pads to protect the corners, so make sure you protect them as well as you can with bubble wrap. Take care to add plenty of layers of bubble wrap to give sufficient padding on the screen, then secure the wrap in place with more packing tape. After you finish taping your TV, experiment with the best way to handle and lift your set. Adding layers of material can make it unwieldy.

Finally, keep the TV clear of any heavy objects that may bump or tumble onto it when inside your vehicle. Even with the blanket and bubble wrap, a heavy impact from a box or loose item could put out enough force to crack the screen. It can be a (very) good idea to move TVs separately from everything else, if possible.

Duck

Duck Brand Small Bubble Wrap

Perfect for packing (and popping). 

$27 at Amazon

If you decide to use a moving company to pack and haul your stuff, most will be able to pack your TV with their own boxes and materials. However, this depends on whether you choose to buy their packing services, so be sure to account for the added cost. Most moving companies will also offer insurance for your TV if their movers pack it.

Self-service moving companies like U-Haul also offer TV boxes alongside other packing materials. A heavy-duty expandable TV moving costs up to $40 at U-Haul depending on the size you choose. While expensive, it provides ample protection that should keep your TV safe.

By following all of the steps above, you can ensure that your TV remains undamaged throughout the moving process. Just make sure you take things slow and pack your TV with another person, especially if you’re handling a large screen. With proper protection and a few precautions, your TV will look just as good in your new place as it did before your move.

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