Moving a couch or a dining table from one home to another is one thing. Moving inherited antiques, original artwork, a piano, a vintage arcade cabinet, or a collection you’ve spent decades building is another.
Collectibles, heirlooms, oversized objects, and other specialty items often require more preparation than the average household possession. Some need custom packing or crating, while others may require special equipment, climate considerations, professional disassembly, or a mover with experience handling that particular type of object.
Whether you’re moving across town or relocating from Seattle, WA to Boston, MA, start planning for your unique and valuable belongings well before moving day. Here’s how to determine which items need extra attention and help them arrive safely.
In this article:
What makes an item special when moving?
A specialty item is generally anything that can’t – or shouldn’t – be handled like ordinary furniture or household goods. An item may require special treatment because of its size, weight, fragility, value, construction, or sentimental importance.
Common examples include:
- Antiques and family heirlooms
- Artwork and sculptures
- Fine china, crystal, and glassware
- Pianos and other musical instruments
- Pool tables and vintage game machines
- Safes
- Designer or custom furniture
- Rare books and book collections
- Wine and other specialized collections
- Plants
- Collectible electronics and vintage equipment
Another important point to note is whether the moving company is able to or allowed to move your specialty items. Plants are one common example that moving companies are not typically able to move. In cases like these, you may need to look for specialized companies like Leaf Lift Moving Co., a family-owned company based in Los Angeles that specializes in moving plants. “We’ve moved everything from massive mature cacti and oversized specimen plants to delicate, sentimental pieces that require custom planning, specialized equipment, and a lot of hands-on care,” shares owner Easton Schirra. “Because plants are living, valuable, and often irreplaceable, every move is different, and we bring a white-glove approach to every step.”
Don’t underestimate what it takes to move them
Some specialty items may seem straightforward to move, but actually end up posing the most complications or stress if not planned for.
“The items people most underestimate when moving are the ones with sentimental value,” shares Justin Perez, CEO of Direct Relocation Services in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “Unlike furniture, these cannot be replaced if damaged. Our advice: never wrap sentimental or high-value items in standard moving blankets alone. Use custom crating for anything fragile or irreplaceable, photograph everything before it goes on the truck, and always ask your mover if they are a licensed direct carrier.”
Even large collections of everyday items can be largely underestimated when it comes to packing. “Books are hands down one of the most underestimated collections,” adds Triple 7 Movers. “Everyone thinks ‘how heavy can it be,’ and then we show up to six overflowing bookshelves with boxes weighing 60-70 lbs each because they weren’t packed right. We always tell clients: use small boxes for books, not big ones – you want to lift it, not drag it.”
Consider what makes each item difficult to move
Heavy and fragile are only two of the challenges you might encounter when moving unique belongings or large collections. Before moving a specialty item, consider:
- Weight: Will it require lifting equipment or additional movers?
- Dimensions: Will it fit through doors, hallways, elevators, and staircases?
- Construction: Does it contain delicate components, glass, stone, or other materials that require special handling?
- Disassembly: Can it safely be taken apart and reassembled?
- Positioning: Does the item need to remain upright or be transported in a particular orientation?
- Environment: Could temperature or humidity changes damage it?
- Value: Would damage be costly – or impossible – to repair or replace?
This is particularly important with items like pianos, pool tables, safes, antique furniture, and vintage electronics. Moving them safely may require more than additional muscle; it can call for specialized equipment and experience.
Here’s what our experts had to share about some of their most unique moves:
“Moves involving heirloom pianos are always memorable because the item is often valuable, oversized and deeply sentimental,” shares Alec Vozenilek, president and CEO of D1 Moving & Storage. “Moving one safely requires measuring every doorway and turn, protecting floors and walls, securing moving components, and assigning an experienced team with the correct equipment. The broader lesson is that preparation should begin well before moving day. A few measurements and a detailed plan can prevent damage to both the item and the home.”
“Once, we moved a full home arcade setup – six original cabinets, a pinball machine, and a jukebox, all from a client who’d been collecting since the 90s,” shares Austin, TX based Fast Fietz Moving. “Each cabinet had its own quirks: some had CRT monitors that couldn’t be tilted past a certain angle without damaging the tube, and the wiring inside was old and brittle enough that rough handling could crack a connection you won’t discover until it’s plugged back in. It wasn’t heavy in the way a piano is heavy, but every single piece needed to be moved upright, strapped, and padded like it was one-of-a-kind – because to that client, it was.”
“We had to lower two couches down from the third floor of a building because they wouldn’t fit on the stairs,” adds the team from Move Indy in Indianapolis, IN. “What we can learn is just because something can go up, sometimes it will not go down the same. Armoires are also frequently underestimated because they are so difficult to maneuver up and down stairs.”
Use the right packing materials for valuable and fragile items
“A common mistake people make with unique or valuable items is assuming that standard packing will be enough,” says Rise Up Moving. “Artwork, antiques, designer pieces, and collections often require different materials and handling methods. For especially fragile or high-value belongings, we recommend identifying them in advance, documenting their condition, and discussing a protection plan with the moving team before moving day. The more preparation that happens beforehand, the safer and smoother the move will be.”
Here are some additional packing materials that might be required for moving specialty items:
- Custom-sized or reinforced boxes
- Corner and edge protectors
- Multiple layers of cushioning
- Dividers for glassware or small collectibles
- Specialty covers or cases
- Custom crating
Avoid reusing old packing materials simply because an object was previously stored or moved in them. Cardboard, paper, foam, and other materials can deteriorate over time and may no longer provide adequate protection.
“We once moved a family’s inherited china set that had survived three prior moves packed in the original owner’s newspaper wrapping from decades earlier,” says Fast Fietz Moving. “The paper was so brittle it was doing more harm than good. We repacked everything properly, and the client told us it was the first move in 40 years she wasn’t anxious about.”
When in doubt, ask a professional how an item should be packed before attempting to improvise a solution.
Document collectibles and valuables before the move
Before valuable belongings leave your home, create a record of what you own and its current condition. Depending on the type and value of the collection, your documentation might include:
- Photos and video
- A written inventory
- Serial numbers
- Receipts
- Appraisals
- Certificates of authenticity
- Notes about existing damage or condition
Keep copies of these records somewhere accessible rather than packing the only copies with your household belongings.
“We had a client that had several thousand antiques,” shares Jim Sullivan, president of Armstrong of Boston. “They had no list and no real idea what the items were. Our team took on the task of helping to create a catalogue and while doing so, they also packed and crated, relocated, and unpacked the items onto shelves at multiple locations for the client. One of the lessons here is if you have a complex move, it’s critical you choose the right moving company.”
It’s also a good idea to review your mover’s valuation options and your homeowners or renters insurance coverage. Don’t assume every valuable item will automatically be covered for its full replacement value if something happens during the move.
Tell your movers about specialty items before moving day
Don’t wait until the moving truck pulls up to mention the 600-pound safe in the basement or the antique cabinet that needs to navigate a narrow staircase. Tell prospective movers about specialty belongings while you’re requesting estimates.
Ask questions like:
- Have you moved this type of item before?
- Does it require special packing or crating?
- Will it need to be disassembled?
- Is there anything I should do before moving day?
- What protection or valuation options are available?
Just as importantly, clearly identify valuable or fragile belongings that you packed yourself. A mover can’t take additional precautions with a box of heirloom crystal if they don’t know what’s inside.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is not sharing enough information upfront. Providing accurate dimensions, weight, detailed photos, and any special handling needs will help transporters give you a more accurate quote,” advises Sean Wu, CEO of uShip. “Be sure to mention access challenges like stairs, narrow doorways, or limited parking so they can arrive with the right equipment and avoid surprises on moving day.”
Give irreplaceable belongings their own moving plan
A successful move isn’t just about getting everything from one address to another. With a little extra planning, you can ensure your specialty items are well cared for during a move to mitigate damage and save yourself the stress of worrying about them.
Before your move, consider what items are most special to you, the difficulties that come with moving them, and what specialized packing materials or movers you might need to look into. It’s always a good idea to talk to your movers about these items beforehand so they can arrive prepared and ready to help you move into your new home.