Piano, Safe, Pool Table, and Other Specialty Items

Not all moves are created equal. While boxes and furniture are straightforward, some household items require extra skill, strength, and planning to move safely. Heavy and delicate specialty items — like pianos, safes, pool tables, antique furniture, or gym equipment — can’t just be “lifted and loaded.” They demand the right tools, strategy, and trained crews to avoid damage to both the item and the home.

Whether you’re relocating across town or across the country, understanding how these pieces should be handled will help you choose the right mover and avoid costly mistakes.

Why Specialty Items Require Professional Handling

Specialty items combine two difficult factors: weight and fragility. A grand piano can weigh 800 pounds but has delicate internal components. A safe is extremely heavy but must be moved without damaging floors or walls. A pool table is bulky and requires precision disassembly and reassembly.

These moves often involve:

• 🚚 Special equipment (dollies, piano boards, lift gates)
• 🧰 Disassembly and crating
• 👷 Highly trained crews
• 🏠 Protective measures for floors, stairs, and walls

This is why reputable companies plan these moves carefully instead of treating them like regular furniture.

Moving a Piano the Right Way

Pianos are among the most challenging residential items to move because of their combination of weight, size, and delicate mechanisms. Even a small upright piano can weigh over 300 pounds, while grand pianos can exceed 1,000 pounds. Poor handling can lead to damage worth thousands of dollars — or worse, injury.

Professional piano moving involves:

• Disassembling legs and pedals when needed
• Wrapping all surfaces in moving blankets and shrink wrap
• Using a piano board and heavy-duty straps
• Securing the instrument upright and balanced during transport
• Loading with a lift gate or ramp to minimize tilting

Because of their value and complexity, many homeowners hire piano specialists for this task. United Local Movers trains crews specifically to handle upright and grand pianos with precision and care.

Safe Moving: Precision and Power

Gun safes, jewelry safes, and other heavy security containers can easily weigh more than 500 pounds. They present unique challenges: they’re dense, difficult to maneuver, and can cause serious damage if dropped or tipped incorrectly.

Safe moving typically includes:

• Measuring doorways, stairs, and clearances in advance
• Using specialized dollies with weight distribution systems
• Strapping the safe securely to prevent tipping
• Protecting floors with runners or plywood sheets
• Securing the safe inside the truck against shifting

DIY attempts to move a safe often result in injuries or property damage. Professional movers ensure the job is handled safely and efficiently, without unnecessary risk.

Relocating a Pool Table

Pool tables are another specialty item that require more than just lifting. The slate top alone can weigh hundreds of pounds, and improper handling can crack or warp it. A proper pool table move involves disassembly, careful packing, and professional reassembly at the new location.

Steps movers follow:

• Remove pockets, rails, felt, and slate carefully
• Wrap and pad each component individually
• Crate slate pieces for secure transport
• Use dollies and team lifting for heavy parts
• Re-level the table upon reassembly

Pool tables are precision-balanced instruments, and small mistakes can ruin gameplay quality. Hiring experienced movers ensures your table arrives intact and ready to use.

Antiques, Art Pieces, and Collectibles

Antiques and art often carry irreplaceable sentimental or market value. These items demand meticulous protection:

• 🪞 Custom crating for mirrors, sculptures, and large frames
• 🧻 Acid-free paper and padding to prevent surface damage
• 🚚 Climate-controlled transport if needed
• 📋 Condition documentation before and after the move

Fragile or high-value pieces are often wrapped, crated, and moved separately to ensure maximum protection.

Gym Equipment and Other Heavy Gear

Home gyms can be surprisingly tricky to move. Treadmills, weight racks, and multi-station machines are heavy and often require partial disassembly. Movers use:

• Tools to break down equipment safely
• Protective blankets and straps to secure moving parts
• Two- or three-person teams to navigate stairs or narrow spaces
• Assembly assistance at the new home

These items often require more time and manpower than standard furniture, so accurate inventorying and planning are essential.

Insurance and Liability for Specialty Items

Because of their value and complexity, specialty items are usually covered under different liability terms than regular household goods. Make sure your mover provides:

• Full-value protection for high-value items
• Custom crating options for delicate pieces
• Written inventory and condition reports
• Optional third-party insurance for expensive collections

At United Local Movers, our crews handle specialty items with extra layers of protection, ensuring both safety and accountability throughout the move.

Why DIY Moving Is Risky for Specialty Pieces

Many homeowners underestimate the complexity of moving heavy or delicate specialty items. Common DIY mistakes include:

• ❌ Using regular furniture dollies not rated for the weight
• ❌ Attempting to move oversized items through tight spaces
• ❌ Lifting without proper straps or support
• ❌ Not disassembling properly
• ❌ Underinsuring valuable pieces

Even a small accident can lead to expensive damage — or serious injury.

Preparing Your Home Before Specialty Item Movers Arrive

To help movers work efficiently and safely:

• Clear pathways and remove obstacles
• Measure doorways and stairways in advance
• Secure pets and children away from moving zones
• Communicate special instructions clearly

Preparation allows movers to focus on protecting the item, not navigating unexpected barriers.

How Specialty Item Moves Are Priced

Unlike standard moves, pricing for pianos, safes, pool tables, and other specialty pieces is based on:

• Item size and weight
• Access difficulties (stairs, narrow halls, long carry)
• Required equipment and crew
• Crating or disassembly needs
• Distance of the move

Getting an in-home or virtual estimate ensures there are no surprises on moving day.

Why Hiring Trained Movers Is Worth It

Specialty item moving isn’t just about brute force. It’s about precision, safety, and expertise. Professional crews have the training and tools to move these pieces smoothly, without damaging the item or your home.

With United Local Movers, your relocation becomes safer, faster, and stress-free. Our experienced teams specialize in handling pianos, safes, pool tables, art, antiques, and more with professional care.