Specialty Moving Services — Piano, Antique, Art and High-Value Items
Not every item fits neatly into a standard moving box. Pianos, antique furniture, fine art, sculptures, wine collections, hot tubs, pool tables, safes, and other specialty items require knowledge, equipment, and techniques that go well beyond what a typical residential move demands. Simple Moves provides dedicated specialty moving services throughout Metro Vancouver, ensuring that your most valuable, fragile, and irreplaceable possessions arrive at their destination in perfect condition.
Table of Contents
Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest professional moving services and pricing in the Greater Vancouver area.
Our specialty moving crews receive additional training specifically for handling high-value and unusually difficult items. They understand the physics of moving a grand piano down a flight of stairs, the chemistry of protecting an oil painting during transport, and the engineering required to safely relocate a slate-bed pool table. This expertise is not something that can be improvised on moving day, and it is the reason customers throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, and the rest of Metro Vancouver trust us with their most prized possessions.
Piano Moving Expertise
Pianos are among the most challenging items to move safely. An upright piano weighs between three hundred and eight hundred pounds, while a baby grand or grand piano can weigh between five hundred and twelve hundred pounds. Beyond the sheer weight, pianos are precision instruments with thousands of internal components including strings under immense tension, hammers, dampers, and a soundboard that can crack if subjected to sudden impacts or extreme temperature changes during transport.
Our piano moving process begins with a thorough assessment of both locations, measuring doorways, hallways, staircases, and any turns the piano must navigate. We use specialized piano boards, heavy-duty straps rated for the instrument’s weight, custom padding that protects the finish without trapping moisture, and a team of movers specifically trained in piano handling techniques. For grand pianos, we carefully remove the legs and pedal lyre, wrap the body in quilted padding, and transport it on its side using a piano board that distributes the weight evenly across the instrument’s frame.
After delivery, we reassemble the piano at the new location and position it according to your specifications, avoiding placement near heating vents, exterior walls subject to temperature fluctuations, or areas with direct sunlight that could damage the finish over time. We recommend allowing the piano to acclimate to its new environment for two to three weeks before having it professionally tuned, as the change in humidity and temperature between locations can affect string tension and tuning stability.
Antique Furniture and Heirloom Pieces
Antique furniture demands moving techniques that respect both its age and its value. Vintage wood is often more brittle than modern furniture, joints may have loosened over decades of seasonal expansion and contraction, original hardware is frequently irreplaceable, and finishes can be damaged by contact with modern packing materials that contain chemicals incompatible with traditional lacquers and varnishes.
Our approach to antique furniture begins with a careful inspection of each piece, noting any existing damage, loose elements, or areas of particular fragility. We use acid-free tissue paper as the first protective layer against finished surfaces, followed by quilted furniture pads secured with stretch wrap that never contacts the finish directly. Drawers are secured with painters tape rather than packing tape that could damage veneer, and removable elements like glass shelves, marble tops, and decorative hardware are packed separately in custom-sized containers padded with foam and tissue.
For exceptionally valuable or fragile antiques, we build custom wooden crates on site that provide rigid protection during transport. This crating service is especially important for items like antique armoires, grandfather clocks, ornate mirrors with gilded frames, and delicate chairs with carved details that could snap under pressure. Each crate is built to the exact dimensions of the piece it will contain, with internal padding that prevents any movement during loading, transit, and unloading.
Fine Art and Sculpture Transport
Artwork requires protection from physical impact, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity fluctuations, and UV exposure during transport. Our fine art handling protocol addresses each of these threats systematically. Framed artwork receives corner protectors, glassine paper over the surface to prevent sticking, custom cardboard corner guards, and placement in telescoping mirror boxes or custom-built crates depending on the value and fragility of the piece.
Sculptures and three-dimensional artwork present additional challenges because of their irregular shapes and often delicate protruding elements. We use foam carving techniques to create custom supports that cradle each piece securely, preventing any movement within its container during transit. For bronze sculptures, we use non-reactive padding materials that will not cause oxidation or discolouration. For marble or stone pieces, we build reinforced crates with internal suspension systems that absorb road vibration and protect against the concentrated stress points that can cause cracking in brittle stone materials.
Canvas paintings that are not behind glass are wrapped in acid-free glassine paper and placed in climate-controlled containers that maintain stable humidity. We never stack artwork flat, as this puts pressure on the canvas surface and can cause permanent deformation, and we always transport framed pieces vertically in compartmentalized sections of the truck where they cannot shift or fall. For galleries, collectors, and artists with multiple pieces, we develop custom transport plans that address the specific needs of each work in the collection.
Hot Tub and Spa Relocation
Moving a hot tub is a significant undertaking that requires careful preparation and specialized equipment. Hot tubs typically weigh between three hundred and eight hundred pounds empty, and the access challenges, including navigating through side yards, around landscaping, over fences, and across decks, add complexity that standard moving equipment cannot address. Our hot tub moving service includes full draining and electrical disconnection coordination, careful lifting using crane straps or hydraulic equipment where necessary, padded transport on a flatbed or in a truck with custom securing, and placement at the new location ready for reconnection by your electrician and plumber.
We assess both properties in advance to identify the best access routes and any obstacles that need to be addressed before moving day. In some cases, fence panels may need to be temporarily removed or deck railings taken down to create adequate clearance. We handle these modifications and restore everything after the hot tub is in position. For hot tubs being placed on decks, we verify with the homeowner that the deck structure can support the filled weight before positioning the unit.
Pool Table Disassembly and Relocation
Pool tables cannot be moved intact without risking serious damage to the slate bed, the frame, and the levelling calibration. Our pool table moving service includes complete disassembly of the table, including removal of the felt, pockets, rails, and slate sections. Each slate piece, which can weigh between one hundred fifty and four hundred pounds per section, is individually wrapped and padded for transport. At the destination, we reassemble the table, install new felt if requested, and professionally level the slate using precision instruments to ensure accurate play. The entire process typically takes three to four hours at each location and requires a crew that understands the specific construction of different pool table manufacturers.
Safe and Vault Moving
Residential and commercial safes range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds, and their compact density makes them exceptionally challenging to move safely without damaging surrounding floors and doorways. Our crews use heavy-duty appliance dollies, stair-climbing equipment, and occasionally rigging techniques to manoeuvre safes through tight spaces without damaging floors, walls, or door frames. We protect surrounding surfaces with floor runners, corner guards, and padding at all contact points throughout the move, and we use ramps and lifting equipment rated for the specific weight of your safe.
Wine Collection Transport
Wine collections represent both financial and sentimental investment, and improper handling during a move can ruin bottles through temperature shock, excessive vibration, or physical breakage. We transport wine collections in insulated, temperature-stable containers with individual bottle dividers that prevent contact between bottles. For large collections or particularly valuable vintages, we coordinate climate-controlled transport that maintains cellar-appropriate temperatures throughout the journey. After delivery, we recommend allowing wines to rest for at least one to two weeks before opening, as the vibration of transport can temporarily disturb sediment and affect flavour profiles.
Musical Instruments Beyond Pianos
From harps and cellos to drum kits and vintage amplifiers, musical instruments require moving professionals who understand their construction and vulnerabilities. We pack each instrument according to its specific needs, whether that means custom-padding the body of a cello in its case, protecting the pedal mechanism of a concert harp, building reinforced crating for a marimba, or securing the turntable bearing of a vintage record player. Instruments are always transported in climate-appropriate conditions and never exposed to temperature extremes in a non-climate-controlled truck, because rapid temperature changes can warp wood, crack varnish, and detune strings in ways that may require costly professional restoration.
Gym and Fitness Equipment Moving
Home gym equipment presents unique challenges due to the combination of extreme weight and awkward dimensions. Commercial-grade treadmills can weigh over three hundred pounds, elliptical machines have protruding arms that are easily damaged, and free weight collections require careful organization to prevent damage to floors and vehicles during transport. Our specialty crews disassemble multi-station home gyms, secure weight plates in reinforced containers that distribute the load safely, and reassemble everything at your new home gym. We also handle commercial gym equipment relocations for fitness studios and training facilities throughout Metro Vancouver.
For items like Peloton bikes, rowing machines, and adjustable weight systems, we follow manufacturer guidelines for disassembly and transport to ensure warranty coverage is maintained. Each piece is wrapped individually and secured in the truck to prevent contact with other items during transit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Specialty Moving
How much does it cost to move a piano?
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Piano moving costs depend on the type of piano, the distance, and the access conditions at both locations. Upright pianos in straightforward ground-floor situations cost less than grand pianos requiring stairway navigation. Contact us for a specific quote based on your piano and locations.
Do you insure specialty items during transport?
Yes. All items moved by Simple Moves are covered under our comprehensive liability protection. For high-value items such as fine art, antiques, or expensive instruments, we offer additional valuation coverage options and can coordinate with your personal insurance provider to ensure seamless protection throughout the relocation.
Can you move items that weigh over a thousand pounds?
Yes. Our specialty crews are equipped with hydraulic lifts, crane straps, heavy-duty dollies, and rigging equipment capable of handling items weighing several thousand pounds. We assess every heavy-item move in advance to ensure we bring the right equipment and crew size for safe execution.
How do I prepare specialty items for moving day?
For most specialty items, we handle all the preparation on moving day. However, it helps if pianos have their lids closed and secured, hot tubs are drained at least 24 hours in advance, and art or antiques are accessible without having to move other furniture first. We will provide specific preparation instructions for your items during the booking process.
Do you move specialty items long distance?
Absolutely. We regularly transport pianos, artwork, and other specialty items to destinations throughout BC and across Canada. Long-distance specialty moves use climate-controlled, air-ride suspension trucks that minimize vibration and temperature fluctuations during extended transit.
Protect Your Valuables With Professional Specialty Moving
Your most treasured possessions deserve moving professionals who understand their value and know how to protect them. Request a specialty moving quote from Simple Moves or call (604) 398-4680 to discuss your specific items and requirements. We treat every specialty item as if it were our own.
Your full-service move starts here. Give us a call at (604) 398-4680 or request a no-obligation quote.
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