Moving large and heavy items such as pianos, pool tables, or safes requires proper planning, protective equipment, and expert handling. Without professional assistance, you risk damaging your valuables, property, or even causing injuries. With careful preparation — or by hiring experts like Three Counties Moves — you can make the process safer, faster, and stress-free.
Why Bulky Items Are Challenging to Move
Big or heavy household items can seem nearly impossible to move safely. Pianos, safes, and pool tables aren’t just heavy — they’re awkwardly shaped, fragile in certain areas, and often expensive to repair or replace.
Common challenges include:
- Extreme weight and uneven balance: These items often require multiple movers and special lifting tools.
- Limited access: Tight doorways, narrow halls, and staircases make manoeuvring difficult.
- Delicate internal parts: Many bulky items have sensitive mechanisms that can be damaged by jolts or improper handling.
- High injury risk: Without proper technique and safety gear, lifting or tilting such objects can cause back and joint injuries.
- Property damage: Improper movement can dent walls, scratch floors, or damage door frames.
Understanding these risks is the first step towards preventing costly mistakes.
Step One: Plan Before You Move
Preparation is the key to moving bulky items successfully. Start by surveying both your current location and your new one.
Measure and Map Out the Route
Measure the dimensions of your item and compare them with all entry and exit points. This includes doorways, staircases, lifts, and even outdoor routes. Map out how the item will be manoeuvred — and have a backup route in case the main one proves too tight.
If you’re moving to a property with limited access, consult professional movers early to see if alternative methods like cranes or external lifts are necessary.
Disassemble Where Possible
Whenever you can, disassemble larger items before moving. For example:
- Remove piano lids, legs, or pedals.
- Detach the legs, rails, and pockets from pool tables.
- Take out shelves or trays from safes.
Keep all screws, bolts, and small fittings in clearly labelled bags. Use your phone to photograph how parts fit together so reassembly is easier later.
Gather Professional-Grade Equipment
Don’t underestimate the importance of having the right tools. Essential equipment includes:
- Heavy-duty trolleys or dollies
- Lifting straps and ratchet tie-downs
- Moving blankets, foam wrap, and edge protectors
- Ramps or loading boards
- Stair climbers for multi-level properties
- Cranes or hoists for extremely heavy loads
If you don’t have access to this type of gear, your best option is to hire a professional moving company that already owns and operates this equipment safely.
Moving a Piano Safely
Pianos are not just heavy — they’re also among the most fragile large items to move. Even a small knock can affect internal strings or the wooden casing.
Preparation
- Secure the keyboard lid: Close and lock it to prevent damage to the keys. Avoid taping it shut as adhesives can mark wood.
- Wrap thoroughly: Cover the piano with padded blankets and moving straps. Protect edges with foam or corner guards.
- Remove detachable parts: For grand or baby grand pianos, remove legs, pedals, and music racks before wrapping each piece separately.
Keeping a piano upright during the move is critical to preserving its internal balance and preventing frame distortion.
Lifting and Transport
- Work with at least four people to share the load evenly.
- Use lifting straps or a piano dolly to help move it across rooms or onto ramps.
- Keep the piano upright and never tilt or lay it flat, as this can damage the internal soundboard.
- Move slowly and communicate with your team at every step.
Once loaded into the vehicle, secure it tightly with ratchet straps and padding to prevent shifting.
Reassembly and Tuning
After arriving, allow your piano to settle for at least 24 hours before tuning. Changes in temperature and humidity can affect string tension, so professional tuning should only occur once it’s fully acclimatised.
Relocating a Pool Table
Moving a pool or snooker table may seem simple — until you realise how heavy and precise it actually is. Most tables are made with thick slate bases, weighing several hundred kilos.
Disassemble Completely
To move a pool table safely:
- Remove the cushions, pockets, and felt.
- Detach the slate pieces (most tables have three).
- Unscrew the legs and side rails.
Label everything carefully, as each piece needs to return to its exact position to maintain balance. Wrap the slate sections in thick blankets or foam, and transport them flat to prevent cracking.
Loading and Setup
- Load the slate sections first, ensuring they’re cushioned on all sides.
- Stack frame components separately on top.
- Reassemble the table at the new location, levelling each slate carefully before refitting the felt.
Even minor unevenness can ruin gameplay, so precision during reassembly is vital.
Moving Safes and Heavy Security Boxes
Safes are another common challenge. Built to withstand force, they’re dense, awkward, and often located in tight areas.
Pre-Move Preparation
Before moving, determine the safe’s weight and whether it’s bolted to the floor or wall. Empty the contents entirely and check the manufacturer’s guide — some safes have detachable doors that make them easier to handle.
Specialist removal firms like Trident Safes note that handling safes without professional tools can easily result in injury or property damage. Always consider whether your building can support the weight if you’re moving it upstairs.
Handling Tips
- Use powered stair climbers or hoists where available.
- For single-floor moves, use a flat dolly with multiple movers guiding it.
- Avoid dragging the safe directly on flooring, as this can cause scratches or tile cracks.
- Re-secure it in its new position according to manufacturer guidelines.
Professional movers often use hydraulic lifting systems or cranes for extra-heavy safes — an option worth exploring if your unit weighs more than 300 kg.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with careful planning, a few common errors can lead to damage or delays:
- Underestimating weight: Many homeowners assume they can move heavy items with two people. Always overestimate manpower.
- Skipping protection: Bare metal or wood surfaces can scratch easily during transport. Always pad and wrap securely.
- Improper lifting technique: Bending from your waist or lifting with your back can cause serious injury.
- Not securing in transit: Heavy items can shift inside the vehicle and cause damage to other furniture.
- Ignoring insurance: Always check that your moving service provides full coverage for high-value items.
These mistakes are avoidable with professional planning and support from experts like Three Counties Moves.
Best Practices for Bulky Item Moves
To ensure a smooth move:
- Use protective coverings for floors and corners.
- Coordinate all moves slowly with clear communication.
- Wear gloves, steel-toe shoes, and back-support belts if lifting manually.
- Label boxes and components clearly to simplify reassembly.
- Take photographs before disassembly to assist later setup.
- Allow time for acclimatisation for wood-based or musical items after moving.
Why You Should Hire Professionals
Heavy lifting is not just about strength — it’s about experience, coordination, and safety. Professionals bring all three. By hiring Three Counties Moves, you benefit from:
- Experienced teams trained in handling delicate and bulky items
- Access to equipment like hoists, ramps, stair climbers, and padded vans
- Full insurance for your belongings
- Efficient logistics and time-saving expertise
- Peace of mind knowing everything is handled correctly
Whether you’re relocating across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, or Buckinghamshire, our packing services ensure every item — from grand pianos to office safes — is transported safely and securely.
Final Thoughts
Moving large or heavy household items requires careful preparation, teamwork, and the right equipment. By planning ahead, protecting fragile components, and working with professionals, you can ensure that your prized possessions arrive at your new home in perfect condition.
At Three Counties Moves, we make the toughest moving jobs easy. Our experienced movers are trained to handle bulky and valuable items with precision and care. Call 0800 699 0001 today to discuss your move or get a free quote.
