Moving tips
3 Reasons to Leave Large Appliances Behind When You Move
By Jonry Abrea · July 30, 2025
Often, yes: a fridge, stove or dishwasher takes skill to disconnect, adds weight and cost to the move, and can help your home sell if it stays. It's your call, though, because freestanding appliances are usually your personal property and go with you unless your sale contract says they stay.
Do appliances stay or go when you sell?
The rule of thumb is simple. If an appliance is plugged in and slides out, it is usually personal property and yours to take. If it is built in, wired in or plumbed in as part of the kitchen, it is usually a fixture and stays with the house.
| Appliance | Usually treated as | So by default |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding refrigerator | Personal property | Goes with you |
| Washer and dryer | Personal property | Goes with you |
| Freestanding range or stove | Personal property | Goes with you, but a gas range needs a qualified person to disconnect it |
| Built-in dishwasher | Fixture | Stays with the house |
| Wall oven, cooktop or built-in microwave | Fixture | Stays with the house |
| Built-in or panel-front refrigerator | Fixture | Stays with the house |
Your purchase agreement overrides all of this. If it lists an appliance, that appliance stays; if you want to keep one it lists, settle that before you sign. Renting? Appliances that came with the rental belong to the landlord.
When you begin packing for a move, some things are easy, stacking plates in bubble wrap, boxing up your coffee maker, or tossing old plastic containers. But once the small kitchen tasks are done, you’re left staring at the real giants: your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher.
They’ve been with you for years, and they might even match your kitchen décor. So it’s natural to ask, Should I take these with me?
The short answer? Not always. While it may seem like a no-brainer to take expensive appliances along, doing so may not be worth the time, money, or risk. Leaving large appliances behind can be the smarter, simpler decision—and here's why.
1. Moving Large Appliances Takes Time, Tools, and Expertise
On the surface, these machines look sturdy and solid. But inside, they’re full of sensitive wiring, electronic components, and fragile connections. Moving them isn’t as simple as just unplugging and lifting.
To start, disconnecting appliances like dishwashers or stoves requires more than a wrench and elbow grease. You may need a professional to properly shut off gas lines, seal water hoses, or ensure safety valves are correctly closed. If you skip these steps, you risk leaks, damage, or worse—fire hazards.
Then there’s the prep work. For example:
Refrigerators need to be fully emptied, defrosted, and cleaned to prevent mold or water damage in transit.
Stoves, especially gas-powered ones, need licensed technicians to safely disconnect and secure components.
Dishwashers must be drained, dried, and stabilized before being packed.
Without the right tools or expertise, this process can become a major source of stress during your move.
2. They Add Hefty Costs to Your Move
Let’s talk logistics. Moving companies typically charge by the total weight and volume of your shipment. That means large, heavy appliances can quickly inflate your moving costs.
A standard refrigerator alone can weigh over 300 pounds. Add a stove and a dishwasher, and you’re dealing with hundreds of extra pounds that take up valuable space in the moving truck. Plus, these appliances aren’t stackable or easily compacted like furniture or boxes.
You also have to consider:
The labor costs for extra manpower
Potential damage from improper loading
Reconnection fees at your new place
Special packing materials and moving equipment
When all those expenses add up, you might realize that buying new appliances—especially if your current ones are outdated—could be more cost-effective.
3. Leaving Appliances Behind Can Make Your Home Easier to Sell
Here’s a tip many sellers overlook: Including your appliances could give you an edge in the housing market.
While it’s true that large appliances are considered personal property and not mandatory to leave behind, offering them as part of the home sale can be a strong selling point, particularly for first-time homebuyers. These buyers often prefer homes that are move-in ready, and that includes a working kitchen.
Modern appliances in good condition can increase your home’s perceived value. They can:
Make your listing more appealing
Help justify a higher asking price
Speed up the sale process
By highlighting features like a stainless steel fridge or an upgraded range in your real estate photos, you give buyers another reason to say yes to your home. And in a competitive market, that could make all the difference.
The Bottom Line: Moving Without Large Appliances Makes Sense
While the idea of taking your appliances with you might feel logical at first, it’s worth stepping back and considering the bigger picture.
Think about:
The physical effort and prep involved
The cost to move and reinstall everything
The potential benefits of including them in your home sale
In many cases, simplifying your move by leaving large appliances behind helps you start fresh in your new home without dragging unnecessary weight or expense along for the ride.
If You Take the Fridge: Getting It Ready
Some appliances are worth keeping: a new fridge, a matched washer and dryer, or the second fridge that lives in the garage. If yours is going with you, the work starts the day before.
Eat it down. Plan meals for the last week so there is little left to throw out or cool-box. In a Coachella Valley summer, nothing perishable survives hours in a truck or a closed garage.
Unplug it about a day ahead. Leave the doors open with a towel underneath so the freezer defrosts and the water has somewhere to go.
Clean and dry it. Any moisture shut inside a fridge for a move turns into a smell. Take out or tape down shelves and drawers.
Deal with the water line. A fridge with an ice maker or water dispenser has a supply line. Shut it off and have it disconnected before moving day.
Keep it upright. Laying a fridge on its side lets compressor oil run where it shouldn't. If it has to tip, keep it brief.
Wait before plugging it back in. Give it a few hours standing upright at the new home, longer if it spent time on its side. Your owner's manual gives the maker's figure.
Moving a fridge, washer or range with the rest of the house? Mention it when you ask for a local move quote, so it is on the written estimate and nobody is surprised on the day.
Questions about moving appliances
Are appliances considered personal property?
Usually, if they are freestanding. A fridge, washer, dryer or slide-in range that simply plugs in is generally the seller's personal property and goes with them. Built-in appliances, such as a dishwasher, wall oven or cooktop, are usually fixtures that stay with the house. Whatever the purchase agreement says overrides the rule of thumb.
Do people take their fridges when they move?
Many do, because a freestanding fridge usually belongs to the seller unless the contract includes it. Plenty leave it anyway: an older fridge can cost more to move than it is worth, and a working kitchen helps a home sell. Newer fridges and garage fridges are the ones people most often take.
Does a fridge need to be unplugged for a while before moving?
Yes. Unplug it about a day before the move so the freezer can defrost, then empty it, wipe it out and dry it. Leave the doors open while it defrosts, with a towel underneath for the water. A fridge moved while still cold drips in the truck and can grow mold on the way.
How long do I need to leave the fridge after moving?
If it stayed upright, a few hours is usually enough before you plug it back in. If it was laid on its side, wait longer, up to a day, so the compressor oil can settle back where it belongs. The owner's manual gives the manufacturer's figure for your model, so check it if you still have it.
What happens if you don't wait 24 hours to plug a fridge in?
Often nothing, if the fridge stayed upright the whole way. The risk comes after it has been on its side: oil that ran into the cooling lines may not have drained back, and the fridge can cool poorly or strain the compressor. Waiting costs a day of cold food; a damaged compressor can cost the fridge.
What not to do when moving a fridge?
Don't move it full of food or still frozen. Don't lay it flat in the truck, lift it by the doors or handles, or leave the doors free to swing open. Don't forget the water line if it has an ice maker. And don't plug it in the moment it arrives; let it stand upright first.
Get Expert Help for a Smarter, Easier Move
At Desert Moving Co., we help you make the right choices for a stress-free move. Whether you're relocating across town or the country, our team can guide you through the process—from packing advice to smart decisions about what to bring (and what to leave).
Request a free moving estimate today and let’s make your move smoother, lighter, and more cost-effective.
Jonry Abrea