How Movers Move Heavy Furniture Safely in Metro Vancouver

Professional movers handle heavy and oversized items every day. Here is how they do it — and what you can do to help the process go smoothly.

The Equipment

Professional movers use specialized equipment for heavy items:

Appliance dolly (hand truck): A two-wheeled dolly with a strap for securing the item. Used for refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and safes. The item is tilted back onto the dolly and rolled.

Furniture dolly (four-wheel platform): A flat platform on four wheels. Used for heavy furniture, boxes, and items that cannot be tilted. Multiple items can be stacked on a furniture dolly.

Furniture sliders: Smooth pads placed under furniture legs to allow sliding across floors without scratching. Used for repositioning heavy items.

Moving straps: Worn over the shoulders to distribute the weight of heavy items. Allows two movers to carry items that would otherwise require three or four.

Stair rollers: Specialized equipment for moving heavy items down stairs. The item is placed on the rollers and guided down the stairs.

Pianos

Pianos are among the most challenging items to move. They are heavy (upright pianos weigh 300–500 lbs, grand pianos 500–1,200 lbs), awkward in shape, and fragile.

Upright pianos: Moved on a piano dolly with straps. The crew wraps the piano in moving blankets and secures it to the dolly. Stairs require a stair roller or additional crew.

Baby grand and grand pianos: The legs are removed, the piano is placed on its side on a piano board, and moved on a dolly. This requires specialized knowledge and equipment.

Always disclose a piano when booking. The crew needs to bring the right equipment and may need additional crew members.

Safes

Safes are dense and heavy — a gun safe can weigh 500–1,000 lbs. They are moved with an appliance dolly and furniture sliders.

Empty the safe before moving day. A full safe is heavier and the contents may shift during transport.

Disclose the weight and dimensions when booking. This allows the crew to plan the right equipment and crew size.

Large Appliances

Refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are moved with appliance dollies. See our guide on packing kitchen appliances for preparation steps.

Sectional Sofas

Sectionals are disassembled into their individual pieces before moving. Each piece is wrapped in moving blankets and moved separately.

What You Can Do to Help

Disclose specialty items when booking. The crew needs to know about pianos, safes, large appliances, and any item over 200 lbs before moving day.

Clear the path. Make sure the path from the heavy item to the truck is clear of obstacles.

Remove items from drawers and shelves. Heavy furniture is easier and safer to move when it is empty.

Disassemble what you can. Bed frames, sectional sofas, and large shelving units that you disassemble before the crew arrives save time.

Ready to Move?

Get a free quote or call 778-200-8825. We serve all of Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas, 7 days a week.