Ultimate Guide to Safe TV Packing Techniques

A television is one of the most fragile and sensitive items for moving. Proper packaging and following the transportation rules are the key factors to avoid damage.

We collected practices from professional moving companies operating in California and created step by step guides on how to pack a TV for a move depending on the type of packing materials and addition costs.

Let’s evaluate all steps and the pros and cons of main practices to pack a TV for moving.

How to move TV using an original TV box with foam frame

1. Disconnect all the wires from the TV. Don’t forget to take a picture of how it was connected for easier and proper set up at new place.
2. Place and open the TV box next to the television.
3. Put the bottom and side parts of foam frame inside of TV box.
4. Put a blanket on the floor next to the box.
5. Ask someone to help you to move a TV from the wall or entertainment center on the blanket.
6. Remove the TV legs or wall mount. You need to unscrew one bolt in each leg from the bottom or back side of TV. For the wall mount you need to unscrew 4 bolts from the back side of the TV.
7. Put the television in the original TV box.
8. Add a TV remote, wires, bolts, and the TV legs in dedicated sections of the same box. If there is a wall mount, pack it in a separate box.
9. Cover the top of the TV with the last piece of foam frame, close the box and tape it.

An original TV box and foam frame is the best option for how to pack a TV for a move. This is the most reliable and safe way to prepare a TV to move with no additional costs and less time to spend on packing. But let’s know what kind of options how to pack a TV for moving you can use in case you don’t have an original TV box.

How to pack a TV for a move in a heavy-duty adjustable box

1. Buy a heavy-duty adjustable box. Use the right size box: if your TV is 40 inches and bigger use a large box and if it’s a smaller medium box will be preferred. Usually, you will get a heavy-duty adjustable with foam corners and bag as a kit.
2. Disconnect all the wires from the TV. Don’t forget to take a picture of how it was connected for easier and proper set up at new place.
3. Place and open a heavy-duty adjustable box next to the television.
4. Put a blanket on the floor next to the box.
5. Ask someone to help you to move a TV from the wall or entertainment center on the blanket.
6. Remove the TV legs or wall mount. You need to unscrew one bolt in each leg from the bottom or back side of TV. For the wall mount you need to unscrew 4 bolts from the back side of the TV.
7. Put the TV in a foam bag and put the foam corners on each side.
8. Place the TV in the heavy-duty adjustable box, close and tape it.
9. Put the remote control, wires, bolts, TV leg or wall mount in a separate box.

A heavy-duty adjustable box is a great way to move a TV, but it has an additional cost. Such a package kit could cost you up to $80. Also, you will need to spend time to find, order and pick it up.

How to pack a TV in a picture box

1. Buy a picture box. If your TV is less than 70 inches, 4 pieces of picture box will be enough, but if its bigger than 70 inches, you will need to use 6 pieces. Also, you will need to use bubble wrap and a blanket.
2. Disconnect all the wires from the TV. Don’t forget to take a picture of how it was connected for easier and proper set up at a new place.
3. Bend the corners of the picture box by making 4 volumed pieces.
4. Put a blanket on the floor next to the box.
5. Ask someone to help you to move a TV from the wall or entertainment center on the blanket.
6. Remove the TV legs or wall mount. You need to unscrew one bolt in each leg from the bottom or back side of TV. For the wall mount you need to unscrew 4 bolts from the back side of the TV.
7. Wrap TV bubble wrap and secure it with tape.
8. Wrap the TV in a blanket.
9. Put a volumed piece of picture box on each corner of the packed TV. If the size of the TV exceeds 70 inches, add a flat piece of picture box to the screen and back sides of the TV.
10. Tightly secure all parts of the picture box with a tape by making three turns of the tape along and three turns across.
11. Put the remote control, wires, bolts, TV leg or wall mount in a separate box.

Packing Your TV: Best Practices and Cost Comparisons from California Movers

A picture box, blanket and bubble wrap are a perfect packing kit for move your TV. Most long-distance moving companies use exactly this way to pack a TV for interstate move when they need to load and unload customers’ belongings several times and should provide high quality protection for such fragile items as television. Such a packing kit is cheaper compared to a heavy-duty adjustable box and can cost up to $40, but it takes much more time to find, order and pick it up, as set up picture box as well.

It should be noticed that most local moving companies in California do not use any cardboard boxes to pack a TV for local move.

The most important for short distance local TV move is loading, transportation and unloading stages.

A television should be covered in a blanket and shrink wrap to avoid scratches or moisture and carried in and out of the truck by two movers in vertical position only. It should not be placed on corners any time and should be strapped to the flat area from both sides. That’s why local moving companies such as Happy Home Moving or SQ Moving have a dedicated place in the truck for flat fragile items. They strap it between tall flat cardboard boxes with cardboard on the floor which helps to protect TV from all sides.

It might be cheaper to use a moving company service for packing and moving your TV considering you will not pay for packing materials but for mover’s time. Let’s consider this comparison on specific example:

The Mario Moving company says it takes 10-12 minutes for them to prepare and fully pack a TV for moving. It will cost the customer: $115 (hourly rate) * 0.2 hour (12 minutes) = $23. It’s $57 cheaper compared to buying a heavy-duty adjustable box and $17 less compared to buying picture box, bubble wrap and a blanket.

Most local moving companies in California provide cost free packing service for TV. They have all the necessary materials, tools, skills and experience and will do it fast and safely.