How to Pack and Move a TV Safely (And Avoid Blaming the Movers)

TVs Are the Most Disputed Item in a Move

Nearly every removals company has had the same conversation: the customer turns on the TV at the new house, sees a crack or a black line, and blames the movers. Sometimes the movers genuinely caused it. Sometimes the damage was already there but only became visible after a wall mount came off. And sometimes the damage happened weeks ago and the customer simply hadn't noticed.

You can avoid all of this with a simple inspection routine. The goal is to document the TV's condition at every handover point so that if something goes wrong, you and the removal company both know exactly when it happened.

Step 1: Inspect Before You Touch Anything

Before you unmount the TV — ideally a day or two before the move — do a full inspection.

• Power the TV on and run it on a plain white and then a plain black image (any "screen test" video on YouTube works).
• Look for cracks, pressure marks, dead pixels, faint lines and discoloured patches. These are easiest to spot on solid colours.
• Photograph the powered-on screen showing the white and black test images.
• Photograph all four corners of the bezel, the back panel, and the wall mount.
• Save the photos with the date — your phone does this automatically.

If you find existing damage now, you'll know it wasn't the movers. If you find none, you have proof that the screen was perfect before the move.

Step 2: Unmount the TV From the Wall

1. Switch the TV off and unplug everything.
2. Have a second person help — even a 50" TV is awkward solo.
3. Remove cables and label them with masking tape if you have a complex setup.
4. Lift the TV off the bracket according to your specific mount's release mechanism (usually a pull-tab at the bottom or a screw at the side).
5. Lay the TV face-up on a clean, soft surface (a duvet or moving blanket on the floor works well).
6. Inspect the screen again with a strong light at an angle. Pressure marks and hairline cracks are easier to see when the screen is off and lit from the side.
7. Photograph the screen again, off this time, before you wrap it.

Step 3: Pack the TV Properly

If you have the original box and foam inserts, use them. They are designed for that exact model and provide the best protection.

If you don't:

1. Wrap the screen face in a microfibre cloth or soft sheet to prevent scratches.
2. Apply 2-3 layers of large-bubble wrap around the entire TV, taping each layer.
3. Wrap the corners separately with extra bubble wrap — corner impacts are the most common cause of cracks.
4. Place the wrapped TV inside a TV-specific moving box if possible, or sandwich it between two pieces of stiff cardboard cut to size.
5. Label the box "TV — FRAGILE — UPRIGHT ONLY — DO NOT LAY FLAT" on every side.

Step 4: Transport the TV Upright

Modern flat-screen TVs (LCD, LED, OLED, QLED) must travel upright, in the same orientation they hang on the wall. Laying the TV flat in the van puts uneven pressure across the panel; vibrations during transit then cause stress fractures or "dead zones" on the screen.

The safest spot in the van is wedged vertically between two firm but soft items — for example, between a mattress and the sofa back, or between two upholstered chairs. Tell the removal team explicitly: "This box is a TV. It must travel standing up."

Step 5: Inspect Again Before Remounting

This is the step almost everyone skips, and it's the most important one.

When the TV arrives at the new property:

1. Do not mount it back on the wall yet.
2. Unbox it on a clean soft surface.
3. Inspect the screen with a torch held at an angle. Look for any new cracks, dents, pressure marks or scuffs.
4. If everything looks fine, plug it in and run the same white/black test images as before.
5. Take fresh photographs.
6. Only then mount it on the wall.

If you find new damage at this point, raise it with the removals company before you sign off the inventory or pay the final balance. Show them your before-and-after photos. A reputable mover will deal with it through their insurance.

If you mount the TV first and discover damage a week later, you have no way to prove when it happened — and the company has every reason to refuse the claim.

Why This Routine Protects Both Sides

It's tempting to assume movers are always at fault when something breaks, but in our experience the truth is mixed. Sometimes a TV was already damaged from a previous knock that the owner hadn't spotted. Sometimes a wall mount was loose. And yes, sometimes a careless mover dropped it.

The before-and-after photo routine is fair to everyone. It removes ambiguity, speeds up insurance claims when they're justified, and prevents disputes over damage that wasn't actually caused by the move.

Quick Checklist

• Photograph the screen powered on (white + black test images) before unmounting
• Photograph all corners and the back panel
• Inspect with side-lighting after unmounting
• Wrap in original box, or bubble wrap inside a TV box
• Transport upright, never flat
• Inspect again before remounting at the new property
• Run the same screen tests after re-mounting
• Raise any new damage before signing off and paying

For boxing up the rest of your fragile electronics, see our guide on how to pack fragile items for moving.