Spartan Moving services
The garage and patio: last to pack, first to cause trouble
Garden tools, BBQs, patio furniture and garage shelves: what we move, how to prepare them, and what stays behind (propane, liquids, loose bags).
Cal-T #0190543 · Licensed & insuredUS DOT 1783494
4.8★ · Over 1,000 reviews on Google, Yelp (San Jose, San Francisco) and Thumbtack
Why the garage takes longer than you think
On move day the garage is often the room that runs long. It is full of things that do not fit in boxes, things in bags, half-full cans and tools with sharp ends. A crew can move all of it, but only if it is ready. Below is how to get the garage, the side yard and the patio ready, and the few things that cannot ride on the truck.
Garden tools
Rakes, shovels, brooms and long-handled tools are awkward one at a time. Tape them together in bundles so our team can wrap each bundle in a moving blanket; it saves time and keeps sharp edges off your furniture. Small hand tools go in a sturdy box. Power tools go in their cases or in boxes with the batteries taken out.
Every piece of furniture is fully wrapped and protected with moving blankets and tape, at no extra charge.
BBQ grills and patio sets
We load BBQ grills, bistro tables and patio chairs as part of the move. Clean the grill and empty the ash or grease tray first. The propane tank stays behind or travels with you: we don't move hazardous materials or propane tanks. Patio furniture is wrapped like indoor furniture; glass patio tabletops are packed as fragile items. Cushions go in boxes or wardrobe boxes, not loose bags.
Liquids, chemicals and bags
Paint, cleaning products and car fluids are where garages get complicated. Liquids must be sealed and packed in boxes to be moved, and we do not move anything that might leak onto other belongings; hazardous materials stay off the truck. For safety and stacking, we also do not move items packed in plastic bags, so sports gear, holiday decorations and camping things need sturdy, sealed boxes. Bulky items like a vacuum or a shop vac can be wrapped in a blanket instead.
Plants and planters
Potted plants and planters come with us when they fit in the truck and can travel safely; large planters depend on how much space is left after the house is loaded. See moving plants.
How the garage affects the price
There are no item fees. A well-packed garage is quick; a garage of loose items is slow, and the clock runs at $175 per hour for 3 movers or $235 for 4, with a 3-hour minimum and 15-minute increments. Boxes are available on the truck, charged as used, if you run short on the day.
Shelving, workbenches and bikes
Freestanding metal shelving comes apart; empty it into boxes first and keep the bolts in a labeled bag. Workbenches and tool chests move like furniture, with drawers emptied or taped shut depending on what the foreman sees. A heavy rolling tool chest, like any item around 300 pounds or more, needs a photo first. Bikes ride wrapped in a blanket; take off baskets and loose lights.
Garage checklist
- Start a week early: the garage always holds more than you expect.
- Bundle and tape long tools.
- Drain gas from mowers and other equipment and set aside propane tanks.
- Box sports equipment and decorations; no plastic bags.
- Seal and box liquids you want to keep; dispose of the rest properly.
- Empty and clean the grill.
- Take down shelving if it is coming, or point it out to the crew.
Questions and answers
Do you move BBQ grills?
Yes, as part of the move. The propane tank does not go on the truck.
Can I leave things in garbage bags?
No. We do not move items packed in plastic bags. Bulky items like vacuums can be blanket-wrapped.
How should I pack garden tools?
Tape them in bundles so the team can wrap them in a moving blanket.
Will you move paint and cleaning products?
Sealed liquids packed in boxes can move. Hazardous materials and anything that might leak cannot.
Moving day, done right
They keep coming back.
4.8 on 79 Google reviews. Over 1,000 reviews on Google, Yelp (San Jose, San Francisco) and Thumbtack.
Include the garage in your quote
Tell us whether the garage is light or full, and send a photo if you are unsure. Get a quote or call 1-877-417-6060. See what movers won't move.