Quick answer: A typical move needs four core categories of equipment: a hand truck or dolly for heavy items, moving straps for safely lifting furniture, moving blankets to protect surfaces, and storage bags for clothes and soft goods. Most households can cover a full move with one item from each category.
The Checklist
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Hand truck or dolly — for moving dressers, appliances, and stacked boxes without straining your back
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Moving straps — for two people to safely lift and carry heavy furniture up stairs or into a truck
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Moving blankets — to protect furniture surfaces, floors, and walls from scratches
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Storage bags — for clothes, bedding, and soft items that don't belong in boxes
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Door stoppers — to prop doors open during repeated trips in and out
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Basic tool set — for disassembling and reassembling furniture (bed frames, shelving)
Why Each Item Matters
Hand truck or dolly. This is the piece of equipment that saves the most physical effort. Rather than carrying heavy items by hand, a hand truck lets you roll them — see our 2-Wheel vs 4-Wheel guide if you're not sure which type fits your move.
Moving straps. Straps distribute a heavy item's weight across your shoulders and back instead of your arms, making it possible for two people to carry a couch or mattress safely, especially on stairs.
Moving blankets. Even careful movers scuff walls, doorframes, and furniture during a move. Blankets are cheap insurance against replacing or repairing something because it got scratched in transit. See our blanket quantity guide for how many you'll actually need.
Storage bags. Clothes, linens, and pillows don't need boxes — they compress better and load faster in soft storage bags, and you skip the cost of extra cardboard boxes for items that don't need rigid protection.
What You Can Skip
Not every move needs every category. A studio apartment move with no stairs might skip moving straps entirely. A move where a professional crew handles the heavy lifting might only need blankets and storage bags. Use our Truck Calculator to get a recommendation scaled to your specific home size instead of buying everything by default.
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do I need for a DIY move? A typical DIY move needs a hand truck or dolly for heavy items, moving straps for lifting furniture safely, moving blankets to protect surfaces, and storage bags for clothes and soft goods. Door stoppers and basic tools are useful extras.
Do I need moving straps if I already have a dolly? Yes. A dolly moves items across flat ground, but straps are what let two people safely lift and carry heavy furniture up or down stairs, or into a truck, without straining their backs.
How much does it cost to buy moving equipment instead of renting? Buying basic moving equipment (a hand truck, straps, and blankets) typically costs less than renting the same equipment for a single move once you account for rental deposits and late fees, and you keep the equipment for future moves.
Shop Dollies & Hand Trucks, Straps & Rigging, Blankets & Protection, or Storage Bags — or try the Truck Calculator for a personalized list.