Appliances are the heaviest and most delicate items in a move. A washing machine and a dishwasher are also connected to the water supply and drain, so moving them starts with disconnection and ends with connection at the new home. This guide covers what you can do yourself, what to leave to a professional and how to get the machines there in one piece.
Washing machine: transport bolts first
The drum of a washing machine sits on a suspension that dampens spinning. During transport the same suspension lets the drum swing, and hard knocks can damage the springs, shock absorbers or bearings. That is why new machines come with transport bolts that lock the drum in place.
- The bolts go into the holes in the back panel from which they were removed at installation.
- They are often kept with the user manual or taped to the side of the machine.
- If the bolts are lost, they can usually be ordered as spare parts using the model number.
Remember to remove the bolts at the new home before the first wash. A machine that spins with the bolts in vibrates violently and can break.
Disconnect and drain the hoses
You can usually disconnect a washing machine yourself:
- Close the machine's valve.
- Unscrew the inlet hose and drain it into a bucket.
- Lift the drain hose out of the floor drain or the trap outlet.
- Let out the remaining water through the lint filter – on many machines it is behind a small hatch at the bottom front.
- Dry the hoses and move them with the machine, for example inside the drum.
If the valve is stuck or leaking, do not force it. An old valve can snap, and then the water has to be shut off for the whole flat.
The dishwasher
A dishwasher is fixed into the cabinets and connected to the water supply and drain under the sink. Disconnecting it means shutting off the water, removing the hoses and fixings, capping the drain connection and pulling the machine out of the cabinets, so that no open connection is left behind.
Disconnection costs €47.06 and connection at the new home €125.50. See our page on appliances when moving. Move the dishwasher upright if possible and protect the door and front panel from knocks.
Fridge and freezer
- Empty and defrost the freezer a day before the move and dry the meltwater carefully.
- Tape the doors shut and remove or secure loose shelves.
- Transport the appliance upright. If it has to be tilted, keep the tilt as small as possible.
- Let it stand before plugging it in – manufacturers usually recommend from a few hours up to a day.
A fridge and freezer simply plug into a socket, so no plumber is needed. If your fridge has a water connection, for example for an ice maker, mention it in advance.
Moving it yourself or with a removal company?
A washing machine typically weighs about 60–80 kg and is top-heavy. Carrying one down a stairwell without a lift takes two people, lifting straps and a hand truck, and in the van it should be strapped upright against the wall.
If you want the machines to travel with the rest of your belongings, you can book the move from our partner Mover.fi, which handles moves in the Helsinki region and elsewhere in Finland. Mention that the machines need disconnecting and connecting, and the disconnection, transport and connection can be planned on the same schedule.
Connection at the new home
Check in advance whether there is a valve under the sink and a dishwasher outlet on the trap, and whether the washing machine has its own valve and somewhere for the drain hose. Missing connections can usually be added during the same visit.
Connecting a washing machine costs €78.44 and a dishwasher €125.50. Prices include 25.5% VAT, and extra fittings and hoses are charged separately. Installing an appliance on its own does not qualify for the household tax credit. For the whole moving timeline, see our moving checklist.