Specialist removals: pianos, antiques, and one-off pieces

Some items aren't 'things in a box'. Pianos. Antique cabinets. Large mirrors. Marble tables. Sculptures. Rare books.

Specialist removals are what we do for anything that doesn't fit a standard protocol.

Pianos

Upright pianos: two crew minimum, piano dolly, protective padding, strapping in the van against a bulkhead.

Grand pianos: four crew, specialist skid-board, professional-grade padding. Often requires removing the legs, which is a 20-minute job with the right tools.

Never tilt a piano more than necessary. The cast-iron frame inside is the heaviest bit and can shift.

Antique furniture

Veneered pieces need individual wrapping in cotton blankets (not plastic, which traps moisture).

Marquetry and inlay: corner guards on every edge, no direct tape.

Castors sometimes should come off for the move. Depends on the piece.

Art and mirrors

Glass-fronted art in frames: bubble wrap over glass, stand upright in the van.

Canvases unframed: rigid protection front and back, no weight on the surface.

Mirrors over 1m: mirror boxes or rigid wood crates.

Sculpture and stone

Heavy pieces need a crate built around them rather than wrapping. A day ahead for the crate builder.

Books

Rare books go in dedicated book boxes (stronger and smaller than a standard box, so less weight per box).

Valuable collections sometimes benefit from being transported at a controlled temperature. Worth asking.

Quoting specialist items

Tell us upfront. Dimensions, weight if you know it, any quirks. We'll come back with a quote that includes the extra handling.

Underestimating a specialist item is a real cost: the crew may not have the right kit on the day, and that adds a surcharge. Better to flag it on the quote.