How to Prepare Appliances for Pickup
A little prep work before your appliance removal appointment makes everything go smoother—for you and for us.
We're not asking you to do our job. But a few simple steps can speed up the removal, prevent surprises, and sometimes save you money.
Here's a quick checklist organized by appliance type for Boise and Treasure Valley residents.
Refrigerators and Freezers
Empty it out. This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised. Remove all food, ice trays, and anything stored inside. Check the back of the freezer too—there's always something hiding back there.
Defrost if needed. If there's significant ice buildup, start defrosting 24 hours before pickup. Put towels down to catch the water. A frozen-solid freezer adds weight and makes a mess during transport.
Unplug it. Pull the plug at least a few hours before pickup. This lets any remaining ice melt and the compressor oil settle.
Clean up water. There will be some water from melting ice and condensation. Mop it up so we're not tracking it through your house.
Leave the doors slightly open. This prevents mold and mildew from developing before pickup, especially if there's a delay.
Washers and Dryers
Disconnect water lines. For washers, turn off the water valves and disconnect the hoses. Have a bucket and towels ready—water will drain out. If you're not comfortable doing this, let us know when you schedule and we can handle it.
Unplug from power. Electric dryers especially—make sure they're unplugged. Some dryers use 240-volt outlets that are different from standard plugs.
For gas dryers: Don't disconnect the gas line yourself unless you know what you're doing. We can handle this, or you can have a plumber disconnect it beforehand if you prefer.
Clean out the lint trap. Not required, but appreciated. Also check behind the dryer—lint buildup back there can be a fire hazard anyway.
Check the drum. Remove any items from inside. We've found everything from socks to car keys to important documents in washer drums.
Stoves and Ovens
Electric stoves: Just unplug them. If your stove is hardwired rather than plugged in, let us know when you schedule—we can handle the disconnection.
Gas stoves: Have the gas line disconnected by a professional, or let us know you need help with this. Never try to disconnect gas yourself if you're not trained—this is a safety issue.
Clean out the oven. Remove any pans, racks, or stored items from inside and the storage drawer below.
Pull it out from the wall if possible. If you can safely slide the stove out a few inches, it makes access easier. But don't force it—we have the equipment to move it safely.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers require a bit more prep than other appliances:
If the dishwasher is still mounted under the counter, we can remove it—just let us know the situation when you call.
Window AC Units
Turn off and unplug. Let it sit for a few hours so condensation can drain from inside the unit.
Remove from window if possible. If it's a small unit you can handle safely, take it out and set it nearby. Otherwise, we'll remove it—just let us know it's still in the window.
Tell us the floor level. A window unit on the third floor of an apartment building takes more work than one at ground level in a house. This affects scheduling and sometimes pricing.
General Tips for All Appliances
Clear a path. Make sure we can get from the appliance to our truck without obstacles. Move furniture, rugs, or other items that are in the way. The easier the access, the faster the job goes.
Measure doorways if you're unsure. If you're not sure your appliance will fit through a door, measure it. Some fridges barely fit through standard doorways. Let us know if there might be access challenges—tight hallways, narrow doors, stairs.
Protect your floors. For heavy items on hardwood or tile, consider putting down cardboard or old towels. We use moving equipment that minimizes floor contact, but extra protection never hurts.
Secure pets. Dogs especially get excited when strangers come in. Put them in another room during the removal—it's safer for everyone and makes the job go faster.
Point out existing damage. If there's already damage to walls or floors near the appliance, show us before we start. This avoids any confusion about what was already there.
Be home or have someone there. We need access to the appliance and someone to confirm the job is done. If you can't be there, arrange for someone to let us in.
What If You Can't Do the Prep?
If you're unable to do this prep work—maybe you're elderly, have physical limitations, or simply don't have time—that's okay.
Let us know when you schedule, and we can discuss handling the disconnection and prep as part of the service. There may be an additional charge for disconnection work, but we'd rather know upfront than discover an unexpected situation when we arrive.
The goal is a smooth removal with no surprises. A few minutes of preparation helps make that happen—but if you can't do it, we'll figure it out together.
Ready to Schedule Appliance Removal?
We handle appliance removal throughout Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and the Treasure Valley. Call for a free quote.
Call (208) 361-1982