A customer, moving out of his Perth house to a new home nearby, stares at a grand piano completely stuck, wedged in the hallway. “How on earth will you get that out?” he asks the defeated-looking removalists.
The point to establish here is that moving certain very large, heavy, or valuable items is an entirely different discipline from the usual huff ‘n’ puff of moving furniture. If your belongings to be moved include, for instance, pianos, antiques, or pool tables, you need specialist removals Perth.
Read on to discover the science and equipment required for piano and pool table removalists or moving antiques Perth.
Why Specialised Furniture Transport Is a Different Job Entirely
For a Perth removalist, treating a piano or an antique grandfather clock like a normal lounge suite is a recipe for disaster.
There is a difference in how experienced removal teams handle “heavy” and “specialist heavy” items. Imagine the difference between a fridge and a 300kg grand piano, for instance.
Your run-of-the-mill removalists use tail-lifts and manpower, while specialist removals use their understanding of physics and engineering. The high cost of getting it wrong can include damage to floors, walls, staircases or the high-value item itself. This is why customers moving high-value items have made the smart choice to pay more for the right team.
What Makes a Move “Specialist”?
- Having to move items that aren’t easily disassembled
- The risk of damage and the cost of repair are high
- Items that require custom moving equipment and aren’t transported on a standard truck
- Complicated locations, such as houses or buildings with narrow staircases, multi-storey apartments or heritage properties
The Physics of the Move: Why Experts Don’t Just Lift
Let’s talk science, physics specifically, and discuss why understanding gravity, weight distribution, and centre of gravity are crucial for specialised furniture transport crews.
There is always the risk of damage to the item and the property when the moving team relies on brute force. Using appropriate equipment can transfer weight safely across floors and through doorways.
Weight Distribution and Floor Protection
- This is important because a 300kg item with all the weight on four small feet can crack floor tiles instantly
- Four-wheel industrial dollies are used to spread the load evenly, so no single point bears the full weight
- Pneumatic-tyred trolleys, at the optimum tyre pressure, ensure ease of movement while protecting wood and tiled floors from cracking or scuffing
- Using German Slide Glides under heavy items allows them to be shifted across delicate surfaces without leaving a mark
- Note that these are useful to install permanently on your home furniture. They are always useful for moving, say, heavy sofas or tables to clean around them, at any time!
The Piano Skid: The Gold Standard for Grand Pianos
- A piano skid (or skid board) is a heavily padded, reinforced wooden tool designed to securely move upright and grand pianos.
- The legs and pedals are removed from the instrument first, then the main body is strapped to the waxed skid board
- This keeps the centre of gravity low, reducing the risk of damage or being dropped, and allows the team to guide the instrument
- Using a standard truck tail-lift alone cannot replicate this level of control, with the piano at risk of toppling.
The Subiaco Scenario: When the Building Is the Problem
- Imagine this scenario: moving expensive, heavy items into an upper floor of a building in a narrow heritage terrace in Subiaco with a tight staircase and no lift
- Remember: “trying to fit” or “giving it a try” are not acceptable options when you’re dealing with irreplaceable items
- Your specialist removals Perth have done this before. The team deploys custom ramping systems and mechanical stair climbers to create artificial pivot points
- Walls, balustrades, and cornices in heritage properties are protected to ensure zero contact
- This is where experience really matters, particularly in older Perth suburbs like Subiaco, Fremantle, and Cottesloe
Beyond Pianos: Our Full Specialist Removals List
So far, we have mainly discussed our approach to moving upright and grand pianos. Rest assured, if you need antiques, pool tables, or safes moved, our service applies to you, too.
We have extensive experience and specialised equipment for moving antiques Perth, and we are trusted pool table removalists, too.
Moving Antiques in Perth
- Moving antique furniture often poses unique challenges because it cannot normally be disassembled without the risk of damage
- We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach for valuable antiques, instead utilising custom protective wrapping tailored to the piece
- Our team often needs to assess an antique, its location and the situation before planning the move
- For instance, moving a solid-timber Victorian dresser in a narrow hallway can’t be done safely using mere brute force. We would employ wrapping and padding for walls and the item being moved.
Pool Table Removalists Perth
- Pool tables are more complex than you may realise
- The slate base is very heavy and surprisingly fragile, and is at risk of cracking if handled poorly
- The felt playing surface must remain perfectly tensioned during transit, or the balls roll differently afterwards
- Luckily for you, the team has the training and skills to disassemble, pack, transport, and reassemble a pool table safely and correctly
Industrial Safes, Statues, and Other Heavy Items
- We can safely handle items up to 500kg, with precision
- For Safes: we ensure moving boards spread the weight load, and the floor is protected
- Statues and sculptures: we take great care to balance and secure fragile, irregularly shaped items
- Each move involving specialist items is unique, which is why we always recommend a site assessment
Why Perth Customers Choose The Moving Man for Specialist Removals
At The Moving Man, we are proud of our reputation as professional, trusted removalists. Our team has hands-on experience with specialist removals across Perth, including in challenging suburbs, and rest assured, we invest in specialist equipment and ongoing training.
Visit our services page for more information on specialist removals Perth and find out how we could give you peace of mind for your next move.
So, if you are a musician, an antique collector, a heritage homeowner, or a specialised business, contact us today with your requirements and arrange for your free, no-obligation quote.