5 Items That are Harder to Move Than You Think

When planning a move to a new home or office, you may be thinking about boxes and boxes of belongings that need to get from point A to point B. But what you may be forgetting are those large, awkward or heavy items and how hard they will be to move.

Difficult Things Olde World Movers Can Move

Sometimes there are items that need special care that you wouldn’t necessarily think of beforehand. It’s a no-brainer that your sectional or dining room table will be difficult to move, and for that you will need the help of a professional; however, there are other things that are surprisingly difficult to move. Here are five of them.

1. Aquariums

Whether you have a small one or a large one, fish tanks pose a moving challenge for sure. You can’t leave the fish in there because they likely won’t make the trip. Either they’ll hop or fall out, or they’ll swish around inside and get hurt.

And then there’s the water temperature to worry about, which needs to stay at a certain steady temperature for survival. Best bet is to take your fish out and place them in a temporary container with the existing water from the tank. While you can discard most of the water from the tank, keep some to dump into the tank once you arrive at the new place.

This will help integrate the same bacteria colony you had previously, giving the fish a better chance of survival, according to FishLab. Take the container of fish as well as the tank with you in your car rather than load it on the moving truck.

2. Plants

It’s easy to forget your house plants are living creatures. They can experience trauma moving to a new environment, so take care to prepare them beforehand. Take plants out of ceramic planters and put them in plastic ones a few weeks ahead of time, as they are lighter and won’t get damaged as easily.

This will also give your plant a chance to acclimate to the new planter. Because plants do best in a temperature-controlled environment, don’t put them on the moving truck, where they can be exposed to extreme heat and cold.

3. Artwork

You chose your artwork because it inspires something in you. You probably also spent a lot of money on it. For its monetary and sentimental value, artwork needs to be moved with care. Frame it in bubble wrap and place it in crates for easy, damage-free transport. Don’t wrap paintings in newspaper, as the ink can transfer onto the image. For sculptures, choose a box that’s one-third bigger than the item.

4. Flat Screens

Not only is your TV large and heavy, the monitors and edges can be easily nicked and gouged. If you still have the box it came in, use it. If not, wrap in a blanket and carry it with you for the ride if you can. Spread out a blanket on the floor, unplug the TV, detach all connections, and place it carefully (screen side up) on the blanket. Wrap and tape in place.

5. Pianos

Pianos of all sizes — even the small ones — can pose huge moving challenges. In addition to being extremely heavy (up to 1200 pounds in fact), they’re also awkward to move because of the many angles, keys and legs. Don’t even attempt this on your own, as you will risk damaging the unit as well as your back. Hire a professional skilled in piano moving instead, as they have special dollies, wraps and other equipment to get your piano in and out safely.