Moving pianos, safes and heavy items: cost and rules
Why heavy items are priced separately, and how to tell companies about them.
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Some items need extra people, equipment and insurance. Mention them when you ask for quotes. Hiding a piano until moving day usually means a delay, a surcharge or a refusal.
Pianos
Uprights are heavy and awkward. Grand pianos need specialist teams and are dismantled. Costs depend on type, stairs and distance. Moving a piano is not a job for a standard crew with no experience. Ask whether the company has moved pianos before.
Safes
A small safe can weigh over 100kg. Large safes may need specialist equipment and floor checks. Tell the company the weight and dimensions. Insurance limits can also apply to valuables.
American fridge-freezers and large appliances
They are heavy and wide and often will not fit through standard doors. Measure first. Appliances should be defrosted and disconnected by a qualified person where gas or plumbing is involved.
Other heavy items
- Pool tables and gym equipment
- Marble tables and statues
- Large wardrobes and bookcases
- Garden sheds, hot tubs and garden furniture
How to get an accurate price
- List each heavy item with approximate dimensions and weight.
- Describe stairs, doors and the route.
- Ask whether extra crew or equipment is needed and what it costs.
- Confirm the insurance value covers the item.
See also what removal companies will not move and flats with stairs. Get a quote that includes your heavy item.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a piano?
It varies widely by type, stairs and distance. Ask for a written quote from a company experienced with pianos.
Can any removal company move a safe?
Not always. Heavy safes need specialist equipment, so tell companies the weight in advance.
Do I need to defrost my fridge?
Yes, ideally the day before, to avoid leaks and damage.
Related guides
- What removal companies wont move
- Moving out of a flat with stairs or no lift
- 15 questions to ask a removal company before you book
Why heavy items need a different plan
Pianos, safes, large fridge-freezers, pool tables, gym equipment and stone items are heavy, awkward and in some cases fragile or valuable. A mistake can hurt people, damage the home and ruin the item. Treat each as its own job. Measure the item and the route, work out how many people and what equipment are needed, and decide whether to hire a specialist.
By item
- Pianos. Use a specialist. See piano removals.
- Safes. Can weigh hundreds of kilograms and are often bolted to a floor or wall. They need specialist equipment, and sometimes a locksmith to release and refit them. Empty the safe, and remove the contents.
- Fridge-freezers and American-style fridges. Defrost for 24 hours, empty and clean. Many need to stand upright for a few hours before use after a move. Check the manual.
- Washing machines and dishwashers. Disconnect the water and the power, drain the hoses and secure the drum with the transit bolts if you have them.
- Pool tables. Dismantled by a specialist, including the slate bed, and reassembled and levelled.
- Gym equipment. Dismantle where possible, and use a crew with a trolley.
- Large TVs and glass. Use the original box or a special carton, and carry them upright.
- Heavy garden items. Stone, large pots and sheds may need dismantling.
Plan the route
Measure the item, the doors, the hallways, the stairs and the turns. Check the width of lifts and the loads they take. Clear the path, protect the floors and doors, and arrange parking close to the door. See moving out of a flat with stairs or no lift.
Tell the company in advance
Describe each heavy item when you ask for quotes, with the size, the weight if known, the floor and any stairs. A company can then bring the right people and equipment, and quote accurately. Check its insurance covers specialist items. See goods in transit insurance and what removal companies will not move.
Common questions
How long before moving should I defrost a fridge-freezer?
At least 24 hours, so that it is dry and not leaking on the day.
Can a normal removal crew move a safe?
Some can for small safes. Large or bolted safes need a specialist. Tell the company what you have.
Do heavy items cost extra to move?
Often, because they need more people or equipment. Say what you have when you request quotes.
