Moving Large Items in Chicago: Pro Tips for Pianos, Aquariums, and Antique Furniture
If you’re relocating in the Chicago area, moving large or delicate items like pianos, aquariums, and antiques presents unique challenges. As a trusted Chicago moving company with years of experience, Sweet Home Movers know that every item—and every move—is different and while different, that doesn’t mean our attention to detail and respect for your property changes.
Whether you’re downsizing in Lincoln Park, upgrading to a larger space in the West Loop, or heading to the suburbs of Oak Park or Evanston, here’s how we handle your biggest, most delicate belongings.
Piano Moving in Chicago: Requires a Delicate Touch and Specialized Care
Pianos can weigh between 300 and 1,200 pounds—and they don’t take kindly to being jostled. Chicago’s narrow stairwells, historic buildings, and icy sidewalks only add to the challenge. Pianos in apartment buildings also complicate how one would get this out of the building and safely onto a truck.
Piano Moving Tips:
- Hire a specialized piano mover in Chicago: They’ll bring piano boards, dollies, and stair ramps. This greatly reduces the risk of damage and injury. Pianos should not be moved by just one person. A team is always needed.
- Secure moving permits if needed: In areas like Wicker Park or Gold Coast, parking can be tight. A moving permit may be required. Thankfully, any paper work or required permitting can be handled by our team but telling us the details of the move ahead of time helps ensure a smooth and seamless moving day.
- Avoid extreme weather: If possible, schedule piano moves during mild months (May–October). Rain, sleet, and snow can damage a piano. Even though our team takes great care and wraps the items up, a large chunk or ice can still result in significant damage. Water can also find its way in plastic wrapping and other moving materials that help prevent damage. However, we also understand that when its time to move – its time to move. Our team goes through great lengths to make sure large and delicate items, like pianos, arrive safely and undamaged to their new destination.
How to Move a Fish Tank Safely
Fish tanks (and their aquatic residents) require special care before, during, and after the move. A sudden shock—be it from temperature or water chemistry—can put your fish at risk. This is also true for terrariums and the reptiles and insects that make those enclosures their homes. While we do not move live animals, we can easily help move their homes to their new home!
Aquarium Moving Tips:
- Transport fish separately: Use breathable fish bags or insulated containers. We do not move live animals and are not responsible for their care. However, we do have insights into the best way to help get your pets from their old location to their new location.
- Secure fragile glass: Wrapping the tank in foam, bubble wrap, and place it in a snug box or moving crate can help reduce the risk of damage. Our team takes exceptional care in making certain things like fish tanks and terrariums arrive safe and undamaged. After all, your beloved pets will need a home once their tanks arrive to their new destinations. Keeping them in bags or smaller temporary holding containers adds to the animals stress and can even result in the death of the animals. We take extra precautions to make sure our customers’ tanks and terrariums arrive safely and in one piece.
Antique Furniture: Handle with Care
Chicago homes—especially in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Hyde Park—often feature heirloom furniture passed down through generations. These pieces deserve special attention as they are often expensive, irreplaceable, and might even have some historic significance.
Antique Moving Tips:
- Label disassembled parts and keep hardware in sealed bags. While we do offer breakdown services, it is often faster and more cost effective for our customers to handle this before arrival. This also offers peace of mind as you – the customer – know first hand where your irreplaceable parts are stored.
- Avoid stacking to prevent pressure marks or cracking. Stacking fragile items can result in significant damage. Damage done to antiques can result in very expensive restoration repair and there is no guarantee the restoration will completely erase the damage done. It is always best to avoid stacking fragile antiques, especially if they are made of glass, porcelain, crystal, or other materials that need additional wrapping or attention.
Sweet Home Movers Has the Experience to Make Your Specialty Items Arrive Safely
As one of the best Chicago moving companies, we specialize in both residential specialty moves that can feature large or fragile items. Our team is fully trained, licensed, and insured to handle even the most complex relocations.
We proudly serve neighborhoods like:
- Logan Square
- Lakeview
- West Town
- Lincoln Square
- Old Irving Park
- And beyond!
Don’t risk damage or injury. Trust a local, experienced team that understands the streets, buildings, and seasons of Chicago like true moving professionals. We can make your move smooth and stress-free regardless of what you ask us to load into our truck.
