Moving Specialty Items: Pianos, Art, Antiques & More
Not everything fits in a standard moving box. Here's how professional movers handle the items that require special care, equipment, and expertise.
Most moving companies can handle furniture and boxes. Far fewer are equipped — or qualified — to move a Steinway grand piano, a museum-grade painting, an antique armoire, or a custom wine collection. Understanding what specialty moving actually involves helps you ask the right questions and hire the right team.
Pianos. A full-size grand piano can weigh over 1,000 pounds and requires complete disassembly of the legs and lyre before it can be moved. The case must be padded and protected at every point of contact. Stairs, tight hallways, and narrow doorways require specialized dollies and piano boards — not furniture straps. After transport, pianos need time to acclimate before they should be tuned.
Fine art and antiques. Valuable artwork and antique furniture require custom crating, climate-controlled transport, and handlers who understand the materials they're working with. Certain paintings shouldn't be wrapped in standard packing materials — paper and plastics can cause damage. Custom crating means building a box specifically sized and padded for each individual piece.
Wine collections. Temperature variation is the enemy of fine wine. A collection that's been properly cellared can be destroyed by a single move in a non-climate-controlled truck on a hot day. Armstrong's specialty logistics team uses temperature-controlled vehicles for wine and can coordinate with climate-controlled storage facilities at the destination.
Safes. Gun safes, fireproof safes, and floor safes are extremely heavy and often awkwardly shaped. The handling equipment required is different from standard furniture dollies. The weight can also create floor damage risk in homes without adequate structural support at doorways and stairwells.
What to ask your mover. For any specialty item, ask specifically: Have you moved items like this before? What equipment do you use? Are your crews trained specifically for this item type? What valuation coverage do you offer for specialty items? If they hesitate on any of these, find a specialist.
Armstrong has dedicated specialty item crews for pianos, art, antiques, and high-value collections. We also offer custom crating services built in-house. Contact us to discuss your specific items before booking.