- Matt
- December 26, 2024
Pianos, pool tables and safes are among the heaviest and most valuable things in a home. They are also the items most likely to be damaged, or to damage your home, when they are moved by people without the right equipment. Whether you are moving across Wollongong or out to Bowral, Mittagong or Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands, here is what a safe heavy-item move looks like.
Why heavy items need specialists
- Weight: an upright piano can weigh well over 200 kg, a grand piano and a slate pool table even more. Safes can be heavier still.
- Balance: pianos are top-heavy and easy to tip on stairs and slopes.
- Fragile parts: piano legs, pedals and soundboards, and the slate bed of a pool table, crack easily.
- Your home: floors, stairs and doorframes take a beating if the item is dragged or dropped.
The right equipment
- Piano skids and boards, heavy-duty trolleys and non-marking wheels to protect floors.
- Quilted blankets and padding to protect the finish.
- Straps and tie-downs so nothing shifts in the truck.
- Enough crew to lift safely, with a plan for every step and corner.
Moving a pool table
Most full-size pool tables have a heavy slate bed. A professional crew will usually remove the pockets and rails, lift off and wrap the slate, move the frame separately, then reassemble and level the table at the new home. Lightweight or one-piece tables can sometimes be moved whole. Tell your removalist the size and type of table when you book so they bring the right team and tools.
Moving a piano
Uprights and grand pianos are moved differently. A grand piano usually has its legs and pedal lyre removed and travels on its side on a piano board. Uprights are moved upright on a skid or trolley. Have your piano tuned two to four weeks after the move, once it has settled into its new room.
Your heavy-item moving checklist
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Measure | Check doorways, hallways, stairs and tight corners at both homes. |
| Clear the path | Move rugs, small furniture and wall art out of the way. |
| Tell us about access | Mention stairs, balconies, slopes and long driveways when you book. |
| Book a tuner | Schedule a piano tuning 2 to 4 weeks after the move. |
Questions to ask your removalist
- How often do you move pianos, pool tables or safes?
- What equipment and how many crew will you bring?
- Can you dismantle and reassemble my pool table?
- What insurance covers the item? For something very valuable, ask about extra cover.
Moving heavy items with 777 World Removals
Our crews move pianos, pool tables and safes across Wollongong, the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands, with the equipment to do it properly. See our piano removalists in Wollongong page, our Bowral removalists page for the Highlands, or get a quote and tell us what you are moving.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a piano in Wollongong?
It depends on the piano, the stairs and the distance. Pianos are usually moved as part of a house move at our hourly rates, or quoted separately. Tell us the type of piano and the access at both ends for an accurate price.
Do pool tables need to be taken apart to move?
Most full-size slate pool tables are partly dismantled: the rails and pockets come off, the slate is lifted out and wrapped, and the table is reassembled and levelled at the new home.
Should I tune my piano after moving?
Yes. Wait two to four weeks for the piano to settle into its new room, then have it tuned.
Do you move pool tables in the Southern Highlands?
Yes. We move pool tables, pianos and safes in Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale and across the Southern Highlands.
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