How We Safely Move Heavy Items: Safes, Pianos, and Big Appliances Without the Drama

Moving a couch is one thing. Moving a 700 lb gun safe down a staircase with a tight turn? Or a baby grand piano out of a high-rise in Hallandale Beach? That’s a completely different story.

We’ve seen what happens when people underestimate heavy items. Broken tiles. Bent railings. Damaged door frames. And sometimes, injuries that take months to heal. That’s exactly why we take these moves so seriously.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how we safely move heavy items like safes, pianos, and large appliances, what you should never do yourself, and when it’s time to just call us at United Prime Van Lines and let our crew handle the risk for you.

Why Heavy Item Moving Is in a Different League

Let’s start with the obvious: weight. A dresser might weigh 100–150 lbs. Heavy, but manageable.

Compare that to:

• Gun Safe: 400–1,500 lbs
• Baby Grand Piano: 600–1,000 lbs
• Commercial Fridge: 400–900 lbs

Now add in narrow hallways, slippery tile, stairs, and tight high-rise elevators (hello, South Florida condos). You’re not just “lifting something heavy” — you’re managing weight, balance, building codes, and safety all at once.

Step One: We Look, Measure, and Plan

We don’t just walk in and grab the safe. We slow everything down at the beginning.

Our Process:

1. Measure: Height, width, depth, and approximate weight.
2. Check the Path: Doorways, stairs, elevator dimensions, and flooring types (tile, marble, wood).
3. Building Rules: In Hallandale Beach or Miami, we check for COI requirements and elevator reservations.

The Gear We Use (No "Raw Strength")

We rely on physics and equipment, not ego.

• Heavy-Duty Appliance Dolly: With straps and stair-climber tracks.
• Piano Board: A low, heavy platform designed for extreme weight.
• Floor Runners: To protect tile, wood, or marble from cracking.
• Moving Blankets & Shrink Wrap: To protect finishes and edges.

How We Move Safes (Without Destroying Your Home)

Safes are dangerous. They are heavy, tall, and narrow—meaning they have a high center of gravity.

Our Step-by-Step Safe Move:

1. Stabilize: Check if it's bolted to the floor and unbolt if necessary.
2. Protect the Path: Lay down floor protection (Masonite or runners).
3. Controlled Tilt: Use leverage to get it onto a safe-rated dolly.
4. Stairs: Use stair-climber dollies or ramps with extra manpower.

Why DIY is Dangerous: We’ve seen safes stuck halfway up stairs, chipped marble floors, and bent door frames. If your safe is over 300 lbs, call the pros.

Pianos: Moving an Instrument, Not Just Furniture

Pianos are delicate instruments with thousands of moving parts.

Upright Pianos:

• Wrap the body in thick blankets.
• Protect keys and pedals.
• Use a piano dolly to roll it (never push on its own wheels).

Baby Grand Pianos:

1. Remove the legs and pedal assembly (lyre).
2. Wrap all parts individually.
3. Tilt the body onto a padded Piano Board.
4. Strap securely and roll.

Note: Your piano will likely need tuning after the move due to humidity and temperature changes.

Big Appliances: Fridges, Washers, & Dryers

Appliances look simple but carry risks like water leaks, gas lines, and scratched stainless steel.

Our Process:

• Empty It: No food or clothes inside.
• Disconnect: We ensure water/gas lines are safely detached (gas often requires a licensed tech).
• Protect Surfaces: Blanket-wrap stainless steel to prevent scratches.
• Secure in Truck: Strap to the wall rails so they don't shift.

Protecting Your Home

Moving the item is only half the job. Not ruining your house is the other half.

• Floors: We use runners and Masonite boards.
• Door Frames: Corner guards and blankets protect wood trim.
• Elevators: We hang pads in the elevator to prevent scratches.

When to DIY vs. When to Call Us

You MIGHT be okay DIY if:

• Item is under 200 lbs.
• No stairs.
• You have help and a dolly.

Call Us Immediately if:

• Item is over 300 lbs (Safe, Piano).
• You have stairs or elevators.
• You have expensive flooring (Marble, Hardwood).

Ready to Move That Heavy Item Safely?

If you’re looking at a massive safe in the garage, a piano that’s been in the same corner for ten years, or heavy appliances, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We handle this every week at United Prime Van Lines. We know the equipment, the angles, and the building rules to get it done safely. Tell us what you’ve got, and we’ll do the heavy lifting—literally.