When moving house, some items can be moved just fine with a ute and an extra pair of hands. Others will wreck your back, damage something valuable, or both.
In our experience moving homes across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the five items most likely to cause problems are pianos, pool tables, large aquariums, fine art, and oversized potted plants. Each one needs certain tools and know-how to handle them. Here's what goes wrong and what you need to know before moving day.
1. Pianos
No surprise here. Pianos are big and heavy items to move. Upright pianos weigh between 135 and 450 kilograms. Grand pianos weigh much more: 180 to 600 kilograms.
Additionally, they can have as many as 7,000 intricate parts inside them, including a soundboard that can crack if the piano is tilted at the wrong angle or catches a doorframe on the way through.
Your standard dolly isn't enough to move a piano. It's just asking for injury. Professional removalists use specialised dollies with adjustable straps and lockable wheels. They'll wrap instruments in padded blankets.
DIY is possible, but it's risky. You can easily injure your back or shoulder by cutting corners here.
2. Pool Table
Coming in a close second to pianos are pool tables, or billiard tables.
All pool tables should be disassembled before moving. The felt comes off first, then the bed from the legs. The bed should stay horizontal during transport — tilt it and it cracks.
Slate tables (the premium kind of pool table) need extra care. It weighs between 250 and 700 kilograms depending on bed thickness. Non-slate tables (MDF or synthetic surfaces) are lighter, but the disassembly process is the same.
The hardest part for any pool table is reassembly. The table has to be relevelled from scratch at the new place. Even minor errors are obvious once you rack up and break. It's also easy to lose bolts in disassembly or chip the table corners during transit.
Like with pianos, hiring a professional removalists frees you up to take care of other business while the pros use their expertise to safely move your pool table.
3. Aquariums
Our industry experts agree large fish tanks are one of the trickiest items to move. Many weigh more than 250 kilograms, with thick glass panels and almost no grip.
A large fish tank can't be moved with water in it. Water shifts unpredictably during transport which puts pressure on the glass panels and stresses the silicone seals. They're not built for that kind of force. You might find your tank leaking once you set it up again.
Drain your fish tank well in advance, transferring fish to containers with oxygen packs, and bagging the substrate separately.
Some removal companies won't transport aquariums at all. Those that do know exactly how to move your tank with minimal impact on the fish and other residents.
4. Fine Art and Sculpture
Paintings and artworks might be light compared to other items on this list, but many of them are oddly shaped and quite delicate. Paintings can't be stacked and are vulnerable to temperature.
Sculptures are harder. A bronze piece might weigh 50 kilograms but have thin sections that can damage easily. Marble is heavy and chips on impact.
When choosing a removal company, confirm that they're experienced in the handling of fine art pieces. General liability insurance usually doesn't cover art damage without a specific endorsement. If you have pieces of real value, ask the removalist directly what their policy covers and whether your art needs to be declared and valued before the move.
5. Large Plants and Their Pots
Large plants or trees in heavy ceramic or clay pots are heavy, fragile, and difficult to grip. A 60-centimetre pot with a mature plant inside can weigh 50 kilograms or more, and you can't strap it securely without risking the pot cracking.
If you're moving interstate, soil and some plants are not allowed to cross state borders. Check the Australian Interstate Quarantine website. It's important to abide by the guidelines. If you are caught with banned plants, you may be fined, and the plants will be destroyed.
Many removal companies won't move plants. Those that do will ask you to stop watering a few days beforehand to reduce weight and avoid soil spillage. If a plant matters to you, confirm the company will take it before you book.
Got one of these on your list?
If your move includes any of these items, let us know upfront. Holloway are AFRA-accredited removalists and experienced with specialty moves across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Get a free quote and tell us what you're working with.
FAQs
Can I move a piano myself?
You can, but it's risky and dangerous. Internal parts, including the soundboard can shift or crack easily if it's angled the wrong way. It's expensive damage that's completely avoidable with professional removalist help.
Will removalists charge extra for these items?
Usually, yes. Pianos, pool tables, and aquariums need extra equipment and often extra people. Mention what you have when you request a quote so the price reflects the actual job.
What if my art is damaged in transit?
Read your removalist's insurance policy before you book anything. General liability cover doesn't often include art unless it's specifically declared. If your collection has real value, look at transit insurance.
Which plants can't be moved interstate?
The rules vary by species, origin state, and destination. The Australian Interstate Quarantine website has current requirements. Check before moving day.
