Furniture, Piano & Oversized Items: How Removalists Handle

"The average upright piano weighs as much as a polar bear." That image alone is enough to make most homeowners break into a sweat on moving day. Now picture manoeuvring it down three flights of stairs in a narrow Sydney apartment block. Not so simple, right?
That’s why bulky furniture and oversized items are in a category of their own. They need more than just strength; they need strategy, the right tools, and people who know what they're doing. These moves require skill, whether it's your grandmother's piano, a pool table, or a wardrobe that won't fit through the door without some clever disassembly. And that's where professional house movers in Sydney come in. They don't just have muscle; they also have skill.
We've done it all at Men in Black Removals. We know that big jobs need more than just people. For example, we lifted a grand piano through a third-floor window in Bondi with a crane and carefully moved antique cabinets in the Inner West. They need preparation, protection, and a process designed to keep your prized belongings safe.
So, how exactly do removalists handle bulky jobs in Sydney? And why do they sometimes cost more? Let’s unpack it all.

Why Oversized and Bulky Items Are Different

It may seem like moving heavy furniture is just about lifting it more. But big and fragile things are hard to deal with in their own way:

• Weight and awkward shape: The weight of a piano might be 300 kg, but it isn't spread out evenly. Pool tables are huge and won't fit through normal doors.
• Access issues: There are a lot of terraces, apartments, and old homes in Sydney that have narrow stairs and no elevators. That means more planning and gear.
• Delicacy: Pianos, for instance, are not only heavy; they are also fragile. A single bump can change the tuning or cause thousands of dollars in damage.
• Safety risks: If you don't have the right tools and training, lifting heavy things can hurt you or damage your property.

This is why moving bulky items should never be a DIY experiment. Professional house moving services in Sydney are designed to handle exactly these challenges.

The Step-By-Step Process Removalists Use

Professional movers don't just show up and hope for the best. There is a clear plan in place to move big things safely and quickly.

Pre-Move Assessment

A good removalist will often check out your home or ask for detailed pictures before moving day. They will take measurements of the doors, stairs, and other places where people can enter. This step makes sure they know if they need special tools, to take things apart, or even a crane.

Disassembly and Wrapping

Where possible, oversized furniture like wardrobes or beds is dismantled. Pianos may have legs, pedals, and lids removed. Everything is wrapped in thick moving blankets, bubble wrap, or padding to protect both the item and your walls.

Specialised Equipment

Forget the image of three people struggling awkwardly. Professionals use gear like:

• Piano trolleys and dollies for heavy items.
• Straps and harnesses that safely spread out weight.
• Sliders and hoists help you get around on stairs that are hard to climb.
• Use cranes or lift trucks to move big things that can't fit inside.

Careful Loading

Always load big things last so they can be handled carefully and secured properly in the truck. Removalists use straps to keep things in place so they don't move around while they're being moved.

Safe Delivery & Setup

Once at the destination, the process reverses. Items are carefully carried in, reassembled, and positioned exactly where you want them. For delicate instruments like pianos, removalists may even recommend professional tuners after the move.

The Cost of Moving Bulky Items in Sydney

Here’s the question most homeowners ask: How much extra will this cost me?The truth is, bulky items usually attract additional fees. Why? Because they require more time, more staff, and specialised equipment.

Typical Price Ranges (Sydney 2025)

• Upright piano: $180 - $400 (local suburb to suburb)
• Baby grand or grand piano: $600 - $1,200 (depending on access)
• Pool table: $300 - $800
• Antique cabinets, oversized wardrobes: From $150+, depending on dismantling needs
• Difficult access charges: $50 - $150 per flight of stairs or tricky hallway

In addition to these, the average cost of standard house moving services in Sydney is $200 to $300 per hour for two to three movers and a truck. So, if you're moving a whole house and some big, special items, expect the costs to add up.
Note: These are not exact price, price vary on size of moving, location, distance and more.

Factors That Influence Pricing

Not all big moves cost the same. Some important things are:

• Item type and weight: Upright vs. grand piano, solid wood vs. modular furniture.
• Access: More time and effort because of narrow doors, spiral staircases, and no elevator.
• Distance: Longer moves, especially interstate, add travel time.
• Time of year: Longer moves, especially those between states, take more time to get there.
• Special handling: Extra padding, dismantling, or cranes increase cost.

How Homeowners Can Prepare (and Save)

The good news? You can reduce both stress and costs by preparing properly before the removalists arrive.

• Clear pathways: Ensure hallways and entrances are clutter-free.
• Measure ahead: Know whether doors and staircases can handle the item.
• Disassemble what you can: Removing legs from tables or doors from fridges helps.
• Book off-peak: If possible, avoid weekends and busy end-of-month slots.
• Declutter: The less you move, the cheaper and quicker the job.

By doing your part, you save the removalists time and yourself money.

Real-Life Example: A Piano Move in the Inner West

One of our recent jobs involved moving a baby grand piano from a terrace house in Newtown. The staircase was narrow, with sharp turns. A simple DIY attempt would have been a disaster.
We started with a pre-move assessment, measuring the stair angles. On moving day, we brought a piano trolley, heavy-duty straps, and a team of three trained movers. The piano legs and pedals were carefully removed and wrapped. Using a combination of straps and sliders, we guided the piano down the stairs, inch by inch.
Total time: 90 minutes. No scratches, no stress, no broken backs. The client was amazed, and the cost, while higher than a standard furniture item, was worth every dollar for peace of mind.

Why Hiring Professionals Is Worth It

Sure, you could try moving a wardrobe with friends and some beer. But when it comes to items worth thousands. Whether financially or sentimentally the risks far outweigh the savings.Professional removalists bring:

• Insurance cover for peace of mind.
• Training to lift safely and avoid injury.
• Experience in navigating Sydney’s trickiest homes.
• Equipment designed for heavy, fragile, or awkward items.

In short, they don’t just protect your belongings, they protect you.

Key Questions to Ask Your Removalist

Before booking removalists in Lewisham or any part of Sydney, ask:

• Do you have experience with pianos / bulky items?
• Is insurance included in the quote?
• Are access issues (stairs, hallways, parking) factored into the price?
• What specialised equipment will you bring?
• Do you dismantle and reassemble furniture?

The answers will tell you whether you’re dealing with professionals or amateurs.

Conclusion

Bulky items aren’t just heavy, they’re a test of planning, precision, and professionalism. These moves need more than just muscle, from moving upright pianos to big wardrobes. They need the skill and strategy that only trained movers can give them.
Don't take the chance of getting hurt or breaking valuable family heirlooms the next time you move. Hire professional movers in Sydney, like Men in Black Removals, to take care of the heavy lifting for you. We at Men in Black Removals take pride in making even the hardest moves look easy. To us, it's not just furniture; it's your life's treasures.
So, whether it's a piano the size of a polar bear or the pool table your family loves, you can trust the pros to move it. Are you ready to make your move less stressful? Contact our professional house movers in Sydney today for a free quote.