Moving a house in the Foothills involves more than just stacking boxes of clothes and kitchenware. Most homes in our area contain at least one “specialty item” that requires much more than just a strong back to relocate. Whether you have a beautiful upright piano, a heavy-duty gun safe, or a delicate collection of oversized oil paintings, these items demand a high level of technical skill. Our team at Foothills Moving understands that these objects are often your most valuable possessions. We do not treat them like standard furniture because they are not standard items. We believe that a successful move for high-value goods requires the right tools, a clear plan, and a lot of patience.
When you try to move a heavy safe or a musical instrument yourself, you risk more than just a scratched floor. These items often weigh hundreds of kilograms and have an uneven balance that can lead to serious injuries. Furthermore, a single mistake can cause permanent damage to a precious heirloom or a sensitive internal mechanism. By hiring professional technicians, you ensure that your treasures are protected by specialized equipment and years of experience. We take pride in our ability to navigate the most difficult spaces while keeping your property perfectly safe. We want to take the worry out of your relocation so you can focus on enjoying your new home.
The Science of Safe Piano Moving in Alberta
A piano is a unique challenge because it is both incredibly heavy and extremely delicate. An upright piano can weigh up to 500 pounds, while a grand piano can easily exceed 800 pounds. Inside that heavy wooden shell are thousands of moving parts and hundreds of strings under immense tension. If you tilt a piano incorrectly or subject it to too much vibration, you can throw it out of tune or even crack the soundboard. Our team uses the “piano board” method, which involves securing the instrument to a specialized flat platform with heavy-duty padding. This allows us to move the piano as a single, stable unit.
Furthermore, we pay close attention to the environment. Alberta’s dry air and rapid temperature changes can be very hard on wooden instruments. We use professional-grade Piano Moving techniques that include climate-controlled transport options and thick, breathable moving blankets. These blankets protect the high-polish finish from scratches while also buffering the wood against sudden shifts in humidity. We believe that moving a piano is an art form, and we treat every keyboard with the respect it deserves. We want your first night in your new home to be filled with the sound of music, not the sound of a damaged instrument.
Navigating the Weight and Bulk of Large Gun Safes
Gun safes are designed to be nearly impossible to move by anyone other than the owner. They are built with heavy-gauge steel and concrete liners, which makes them much heavier than they look. A standard fire-rated safe can easily weigh over 1,000 pounds. Moving this kind of weight across hardwood floors or down a flight of stairs requires specialized “heavy-lift” dollies and stair-climbing equipment. We do not recommend that families attempt to move these items on their own, as a tipping safe can easily crush a foot or break a staircase railing.
Additionally, we prioritize the safety of your home’s structure. When we move a safe, we use protective floor runners made of hard plastic to distribute the weight. This prevents the heavy wheels of a dolly from leaving permanent ruts in your carpet or cracks in your tile. We also coordinate closely with you to ensure the new location can support the weight of the safe. Some older homes in the Calgary area may need floor reinforcement for very large vaults. If you have questions about the weight capacity of your new space, you should Contact Us so we can provide a free assessment of your needs.
Protecting Oversized Art and Delicate Heirlooms
Large-scale paintings and sculptures present a different kind of difficulty. While they may not be as heavy as a safe, they are often the most fragile items in a move. A single touch from a finger can leave oils that damage an old oil painting, and a small bump can chip a marble statue. We use custom-built wooden crates for high-value artwork. These crates provide a hard “exoskeleton” that prevents anything from touching the surface of the art during the drive. We also use acid-free glassine paper to wrap paintings, which ensures the packing materials don’t stick to the paint.
Transitioning art through narrow hallways and doorways requires a very steady hand. We often use a “two-person carry” for even light paintings to ensure that we maintain total control over the balance. We believe that the key to moving art is to minimize the number of times it is touched. We pack it securely at the start and only unpack it once it is safely in its final position at the new house. Our goal is to ensure that your collection arrives looking exactly as it did in your old gallery or living room. We treat your art like the irreplaceable piece of history that it is.
Specialized Equipment That Makes the Difference
We believe that a moving company is only as good as the tools it brings to the job. For specialty items, we don’t just use standard hand trucks. We use motorized stair-climbers, hydraulic jacks, and specialized “skid boards” that are designed for high-weight loads. These tools allow our professional technicians to move heavy objects with precision and control. By using mechanical advantage, we reduce the physical strain on our team and the risk of accidents for your property.
Furthermore, our trucks feature air-ride suspension and 2,000-pound capacity lift gates. This means your piano or safe doesn’t experience the bumps and jars of a standard delivery van. We also use high-tension ratcheting straps to secure these items to the walls of the truck. We ensure that nothing moves even an inch while we are driving on the highway. This “over-engineered” approach to safety is why so many Foothills families trust us with their most valuable possessions. We want you to have total confidence that your items are in the safest hands possible.
Planning the Path for Oversized Items
Before we lift a single item, we perform a “pathway audit.” This means we measure every doorway, hallway, and turn that the item must pass through. We also check for overhead clearance and the strength of any stairs we must use. If a piano is too wide for a doorway, we might suggest removing the door from its hinges or finding an alternative route through a patio door. We believe that a move should never be a “guessing game.” We want to know exactly how every piece will fit before we start the clock.
In addition to physical measurements, we look for potential hazards like slippery outdoor steps or low-hanging branches. During the winter, we make sure that all paths are salted and cleared of ice to prevent any slips. We coordinate our team so that every person knows their role and the direction we are moving. This clear communication is essential for maintaining safety when moving items that can’t be easily stopped once they are in motion. We work as a single, coordinated unit to protect your home and your belongings.
Why Technical Expertise Beats “Brute Strength”
Many people think that moving heavy things is just about being strong. While our team is certainly fit, we rely much more on our technical training. We understand the center of gravity for different types of pianos and how to use leverage to lift a safe without straining our backs. We also know how to disassemble certain items, like the legs of a grand piano, and how to put them back together perfectly. This expertise ensures that your items are not only moved safely but also stay in good working order.
We believe that our “brain over brawn” approach is what prevents injuries and damage. We take the time to think through every move and adjust our strategy for the specific conditions of your home. Whether we are dealing with a tight apartment elevator or a steep mountain driveway, we find a professional solution. We want to be the movers you call when the job seems impossible. Our “helping hands” are backed by years of specialized training and a commitment to excellence in every relocation we handle.
FAQ
Do I need to get my piano tuned after a move?
Yes, we always recommend getting a professional tuning about two weeks after you move. Even with our careful handling, the change in temperature and humidity between houses will cause the wood to expand or contract slightly. Giving the piano two weeks to “settle” into its new home ensures the tuning will last.
Can you move a gun safe that is bolted to the floor?
Absolutely. Our professional technicians have the tools to safely unbolt your safe from the floor or wall. We can also help you bolt it down in your new location to ensure it stays secure. Please let us know ahead of time so we bring the correct wrenches and drills.
How do you protect my hardwood floors from a 1000-pound safe?
We use professional “floor runners” and “masonite boards.” These are hard, durable surfaces that we lay down over your floors. They create a temporary “road” for our dollies, which prevents the weight of the safe from damaging your wood, tile, or laminate flooring.
What happens if it is snowing on the day of my piano move?
We take extra precautions during Alberta winters. We wrap the piano in plastic “shrink wrap” before putting the moving blankets on. This prevents any moisture from reaching the wood. We also ensure that our truck is pre-heated so the instrument doesn’t experience a “cold shock.”
Do you move oversized sculptures or outdoor garden art?
Yes, we move a wide variety of specialty items including large statues, cast-iron tubs, and heavy gym equipment. We use the same crating and padding techniques for these items as we do for fine art to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.
Is there an extra fee for specialty items?
Because these items require specialized equipment and extra team members, there is usually a “specialty item” fee. However, we provide a transparent, flat-rate quote for these items so you know exactly what the cost will be before we start the work.