Moving heavy and fragile items can be challenging. This blog will discuss the reasons to use a professional mover for pianos, safes and antiques.

Moving a Piano

A piano’s weight can vary from model to model. A small upright piano weighs between 300 and 500 lbs, a large upright piano weighs 600 and 800 lbs, and a grand piano weighs 1,200 lbs. In addition, the back of the piano will be heavier to carry than the front.

A piano can be a challenge to move if you do not have double doors. As a result, it may be necessary to move it through a window, porch, or balcony. This depends on the size and weight of the piano. If you renovated your home after the piano was in place, it may not be able to go out the way it was moved in.

Moving a piano on your own can damage walls, floors, stairs, and door frames.

Moving a Safe

If you have a large safe to move, it is wise to hire a professional mover. Moving this heavy item (between 500-2,000 lbs) is challenging. First, there is the risk of injury, and second, there is the risk of property damage.

You will need to empty the safe of its contents before it is moved to reduce the weight and avoid items shifting when the safe is being moved. Sometimes, the mover may need to remove the safe door.

A professional moving company will assess the job in advance to avoid damaging floors, walls, stairs, and doors. The van operator or crew supervisor will prepare the area by protecting your flooring. They may lay down plywood if there is tile floor or heavy-duty floor runners on hardwood floors.

Next, they protect the staircase and door frames by padding the areas with clean moving pads and taping them in place. A professional mover will take every precaution to avoid damaging your home or commercial facility.

Finally, they use a hydraulic dolly and ratchet straps to secure the safe on the dolly. Then they secure the safe on the moving truck. The same care and attention will be used to move the safe to its new location.

Moving Antiques

A furniture item that is 100 years old or more is considered an antique. Due to its age, the wood is drier and more brittle, so it can be easily damaged if not moved properly. As a result, the antique can lose its value.

Before moving antiques yourself or arranging for a moving company that specializes in moving antiques, here are some steps to take:

  • Take a series of close-up, high-quality photographs of your antique pieces from several angles. Make at least two copies of each photo. If you need to file an insurance claim, having photo proof of condition will make it easier to distinguish new damage from existing damage.
  • If your items are extremely rare or high value, do get an appraisal by an appraiser who specializes in your specific antique. There is a fee for the assessment, but it is worth it for insurance purposes.
  • Now it’s time to decide to move your antiques on your own or hire a professional moving company. Once you purchase all the necessary supplies to protect the antiques during transport, you will realize this is best left to the professionals.
  • In some cases, the mover will recommend crating a high-value item as this is the best way to move it. If a crate isn’t necessary, the mover will ensure that antique pieces are carefully wrapped in clean, quilted moving pads. In some cases, they will double wrapping your piece for extra protection.

In conclusion, using a professional mover for items like pianos, safes & antiques is best. If you want more information on hiring a professional mover for specialty items, contact Premiere Van Lines at 1-877-671-6683.