Moving a house full of boxes is one thing, but moving large items like a piano, oversized furniture, or fragile artwork? That’s a whole different story. It’s easy to underestimate the challenges involved in moving large or fragile items. These specialty items require a level of care and planning that goes beyond bubble wrap and cardboard.
Whether you’re relocating locally or planning a long-distance move, the right approach can protect your most valuable (and breakable) possessions. The process of protecting these items starts with careful planning and the right approach. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to move large items safely, how to protect fragile valuables, and when it’s time to call in the professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Use proper packing techniques and materials, ensuring the protection of large and fragile items from damage.
- Specialty items like pianos and artwork require specific handling procedures, don’t cut corners.
- Action Moving has decades of experience handling complex moves with care and precision.
Assessing the Move
Before you start lifting a single box or piece of furniture, take time to thoroughly assess your move. This step is especially important when dealing with heavy lifting of fragile items like pianos, delicate furniture, or anything that requires extra care. Begin by evaluating the weight and size of each item, and consider the complexity of moving them through your home. Pay close attention to narrow doorways, tight staircases, and tricky basement access points, these can turn a simple move into a real challenge.
Walk through your home and make a list of items that will need special handling or equipment. This assessment will help you determine if you need to hire the right movers with the skills and tools to handle the job safely and efficiently. Taking extra care at this stage can help prevent costly mistakes, protect your belongings from damage, and ensure a smooth moving process from start to finish. Remember, a little planning goes a long way in keeping your items, and your home, safe during the move.
How to Prepare Large or Fragile Items for Moving
Start with the Right Equipment
Moving heavy or delicate items is a task that requires more than just muscle—it needs the right equipment. Equip yourself with furniture dollies, moving blankets, straps, and high-quality boxes. If you’re tackling the move yourself, don’t forget gloves and proper footwear, safety first.
Disassemble When Possible
Remove legs from tables, detach mirrors from dressers, and take doors off large cabinets. Disassembling items reduces the risk of breakage and makes them easier to maneuver through tight spaces.
Measure Doorways and Hallways
Don’t find out your couch doesn’t fit through the front door on moving day. Measure your largest items and compare them to your entryways, hallways, and stairwells. If something doesn’t fit, plan an alternative route or breakdown strategy.
How to Move Fragile Items Like Artwork or Mirrors
Fragile items need a lot of care and attention, not just “handle with care” stickers.
Use the Right Packing Materials
For delicate items like mirrors, picture frames, or glass-top tables, use corner protectors, thick cardboard, and moving blankets. Wrap artwork in acid-free paper, then add bubble wrap and place it in a sturdy mirror box.
Experts recommend using these specific packing materials and techniques to ensure maximum protection for your valuable and fragile belongings.
Pack Upright, Not Flat
Always move mirrors and framed artwork upright, not flat. This minimizes surface pressure and helps prevent cracking during transport.
Label Clearly and Load with Care
Clearly mark these items as “FRAGILE” and instruct movers to pack them in an upright position, ideally between soft items like mattresses or cushions for added protection.
How to Move Heavy Items Like Pianos or Large Furniture
These are not your average boxes. Moving pianos or oversized furniture without proper help can lead to injury, or serious damage to the item.
Use Furniture Sliders or Dollies
Sliding pads under heavy furniture can protect your flooring and reduce lifting strain. For larger items like refrigerators, couches, or pianos, a professional-grade dolly is a must.
Don’t Go It Alone
Heavy items often require multiple people to lift and guide them safely. Communicate clearly, lift with your legs (not your back), and take your time around tight corners and stairs.
Hire Professionals for Specialty Items
Pianos, antiques, and other high-value or awkward items are best left to experienced movers. At Action Moving & Storage, we’ve safely moved everything from grand pianos to oversized sculptures. We bring the expertise, equipment, and care your valuables deserve.
Choosing the Right Movers
When it comes to moving heavy furniture, pianos, or other delicate items, choosing the right movers can make all the difference. Look for a moving company that specializes in heavy lifting and has a proven track record of handling fragile items with extra care. The best movers will use high-quality packing materials, like bubble wrap and sturdy boxes, and have the right equipment and techniques to transport your belongings safely.
Check the company’s website for information about their experience, services, and customer reviews. Don’t hesitate to ask about their skills in moving heavy items and their approach to protecting delicate items during transport. Understanding the cost upfront and knowing that your movers are equipped to handle the job will give you peace of mind. By hiring professionals who know how to handle, pack, and move your items with care, you can ensure your belongings arrive at your new home safely and without damage.
Temporary Storage for Large or Fragile Items
Not moving in right away? No problem. If you need a secure space to store your larger items or valuables before your new place is ready, we offer clean, monitored storage solutions designed to keep your belongings safe.
Our storage facilities are ideal for furniture, artwork, or anything you’d rather not risk damaging during a hectic move-in day.
Last Minute Checks
As moving day arrives and the truck is on its way, it’s time for some last-minute checks to ensure everything is ready for a smooth and efficient move. Double-check that all your items are packed, wrapped, and securely fastened, especially heavy items like pianos or large furniture, which should be properly supported and strapped for safe transport. Make sure all boxes are clearly labeled and ready to be loaded onto the truck.
Take a final walk through your home, checking every room, closet, and the basement to ensure nothing is left behind. Clear all stairs, doorways, and hallways of obstacles so movers can work safely and efficiently. If you’ve hired the right movers, trust their expertise, but don’t hesitate to ask questions or request extra care for particularly valuable or fragile items. With a little extra attention and the help of experienced movers, you can ensure your moving process is easier, safer, and free from last-minute surprises.
Final Thoughts
Moving large or fragile items doesn’t have to be stressful, you just need the right plan (and the right people) to get the job done safely.
Whether it’s a family heirloom or a baby grand, Action Moving has the tools and expertise to move your most valuable items with care. For over 35 years, we’ve helped Edmonton families move everything from heavy furniture to irreplaceable artwork, all with the same attention to detail.
Need help with a specialty move? Request a free quote from Action Moving & Storage today and let our expert movers handle the heavy lifting, literally.
