
Highlights
- If you’re an avid reader, you must have plenty of books in your home.
- Both sturdy and elegant, bookcases are great guardians of books.
- You should know what it takes to take your heavy bookcase with you.
- Read on to find out how to move a heavy bookcase to a new home – quickly and safely.
- Step 1. Decide whether your bookcase is worth moving
- 1.1. Floor plan and interior decor
- 1.2. Inspect the bookcase for damage
- 1.3. Consider the quality of the bookcase
- 1.4. Consider the sentimental and monetary value of the bookcase
- 1.5. Think about how difficult it will be to move your bookcase
- 1.6. Consider the distance to your new home
- 1.7. Compare the cost of moving your bookcase
- 1.8. Find out how much it will cost you to move your bookcase by yourself
- Step 2. Empty the bookcase
- Step 3. Pack your bookcase for moving
- Step 4. Move your heavy bookcase
If you’re an avid reader, you probably have plenty of books in your home – and a large bookcase where to keep them.
Both sturdy and elegant, bookcases are great guardians of books – and all the knowledge, wisdom, and entertainment contained in them.
In addition to your book collection, however, a bookcase can also store – and display – a number of souvenirs, collectibles, keepsakes, decorations, framed photos, and all kinds of knick-knacks you enjoy seeing around.
All in all, a bookcase is an extremely useful and very fascinating piece of furniture.
When the time comes to move house, however, it presents quite a challenge – the shelves are loaded with books and stuff and the furniture itself is bulky and heavy, and, therefore, very difficult to move.
To successfully relocate your personal library, you need to come up with an efficient moving strategy – and to know how to move a heavy bookcase the right way.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you take your bookcase to your new home intact and unscathed so it can continue to house your treasured reads and cherished bits and pieces for years to come.
Here’s how to move a heavy bookcase to a new home – quickly and safely.
Step 1. Decide whether your bookcase is worth moving
Before you begin wondering how to move a large bookcase to a new place, you need to make sure that you do indeed want to take yours to your new home.
As useful as your bookcase may be, it won’t make much sense to relocate it if it is not in good condition or won’t fit into your new living room – or if moving the furniture will cost you more than buying a new one after the relocation.
So, before you start planning for the relocation of your bookcase, be sure to:
1.1. Floor plan and interior decor
Take a look at the floor plan of your new house or apartment and find out if the bookcase will fit in the available space.
Also, consider the interior décor of your new home and whether your old bookcase will match it well.
1.2. Inspect the bookcase for damage
Inspect your bookcase for damage (worn-out finishes, scratches, dents, broken parts, etc.) and decide if it is in good enough condition to serve its purpose for at least several more years or not.
1.3. Consider the quality of the bookcase
Be sure to consider the quality of the bookcase – the quality of the materials, the quality of the workmanship, etc.
A well-made hardwood bookcase is worth keeping but a particleboard piece can simply be left behind. Keep in mind that pressboard bookcases are inexpensive and easily susceptible to damage – not only during transportation but also during disassembly and reassembly.
1.4. Consider the sentimental and monetary value of the bookcase
You will likely not want to part with your old furniture piece if it is a family heirloom or an antique.
And if your bookcase is an expensive one, it certainly makes more financial sense to bring it along than to replace it with a new one after the move.
1.5. Think about how difficult it will be to move your bookcase
If the piece is very bulky, very heavy, too awkwardly shaped, or too vulnerable to damage – or if it can’t be disassembled – moving it will take a lot of effort, will involve a lot of risk, and will cost a lot of money.
The peculiarities of the pickup and delivery locations (your old home and your new one) should also be taken into account – narrow doorways or hallways, tight corners, and steep stairs will make it even more difficult and more expensive to relocate the bookcase.
1.6. Consider the distance to your new home
Moving heavy furniture across the country may not be worth it, but if you’re moving locally, it won’t make much sense to leave your furniture behind (including your bookcase) and buy new pieces after the relocation;
1.7. Compare the cost of moving your bookcase
This is crucial – compare the cost of moving your heavy bookcase to the cost of buying a new one of similar quality:
- Find out how much it will cost you to move your bookcase with professional moving services;
- Fill in a moving quote and request on-site price estimates from several reputable moving companies in your area
- Get an estimate that includes the bookcase and another estimate that does not include it, so you can calculate exactly how much it will cost you to move that specific piece of furniture.
1.8. Find out how much it will cost you to move your bookcase by yourself

- Figure in the cost of the necessary packing materials and the cost of renting or buying the necessary moving equipment;
- Find out whether you’ll need to rent a bigger moving truck if you decide to take your bookcase along or not. If yes, calculate the difference in the price of renting a smaller truck and renting the truck necessary for the relocation of your bookcase);
- Think about whether you will be able to take the bookcase out of your home, load it onto the moving truck, unload it, and take it to its rightful place inside your new residence on your own (or with the help of family and friends) or will need to hire moving labor to help you out (if so, figure in the cost of hiring moving labor);
- Find out the cost of a new bookcase of the same quality as your old one;
- Compare the last figure (the cost of a new bookcase) to the previous two figures (the cost of moving a bookcase with professional moving services and the cost of moving a bookcase by yourself). If the difference is minimal, it may be better to buy a new bookcase after the relocation instead of going into all the trouble of moving your old one.
Move It or Sell It – Is It Better to Move Furniture or Buy New?
Having considered all the above factors, you will be able to make an informed decision about the fate of your old bookcase.
If you decide to take it with you, keep reading to find out how to move a bookcase safely and without too much of a hassle.
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