When you move houses, should you take your appliances with you? Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to keep them, sell them with your house, or recycle them.
The Pros: Taking Your Appliances With You
There are many reasons to take your appliances with you when you move. Keep in mind, this usually doesn’t include the HVAC system, dishwasher, stove, or oven—those usually stay with the house and are included in the price. Other appliances, though, can make the moving journey with you. These include:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Washing machines
- Dryers
- Microwaves
- Wine coolers
The most obvious benefit of taking your appliances is that you won’t have to buy new ones when you get there! This can significantly reduce the overall cost of your move.
Next, there’s the fact that you’ll have all the appliances you rely on right away. You won’t have to spend time shopping for a new refrigerator. You will just need to hook up the one you have and you’ll be ready to go.
Finally, there are personal factors. Maybe your washing machine was the first big purchase you and your spouse chose together. Maybe your refrigerator is customized with exactly the features you want. Whether sentimental or practical, your personal attachments can tip the scales in favor of taking your appliances along to your new home!
The Cons: Moving Your Appliances
While moving your appliances means that you won’t need to buy new ones, that doesn’t automatically mean that moving them is a money saver. Depending on what you need to move and how far you’re going, taking your appliances may actually cost you more money in terms of moving, storage, and installation costs. That’s why it’s important to do a cost-benefit analysis of the situation before you decide to move them or leave them.
If you bring your own appliances with you, you may also need to contend with any appliances left by the previous owner. If they sold the home with a refrigerator and you bring your own refrigerator with you, you then have to deal with the extra fridge. Figuring out how to sell it, move it, or store it might be the last thing you want to deal with when you’re already deep in the moving process.
Lastly, you may find that your old appliances just don’t fit in your new home. This could be a literal concern, like if your dryer is simply too big to move down your basement stairs. It could also be a stylistic or aesthetic concern, like if the age of your microwave looks out of place with the rest of your kitchen or if the color of your refrigerator clashes with the other appliances.
It’s hard to tell how things will fit together without actually being there, so you may be better off choosing new appliances once you move into your new space. That way, you’ll be able to pick out appliances that fit both the practicalities and the style of your new home.
When deciding whether to move or leave your appliances, remember—it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You can take some and leave some depending on your needs and preferences.
If you have questions about the moving process or need assistance with local or long-distance moving in Burlington or the surrounding area, call Chase Moving and Storage. We are a family-owned company with over 100 years of experience and we’re here to help with all of your moving needs. Chase Moving and Storage—The Most Trusted Movers Since 1908.
