5 Items You Should Never Move Yourself (And Why)

Did you know? Overexertion injuries account for over 30% of all moving-related injuries, with most occurring during furniture relocation. Lower back pain is one of the leading reasons why people miss work and it's the most common cause of job-related disabilities.

We get it. You're trying to save money. You've got a pickup truck, a couple of strong friends, and a can-do attitude. But some items aren't worth the risk of a herniated disc, crushed fingers, or thousands of dollars in property damage. Professional movers aren't just about convenience—sometimes, they're about survival.

Here are five items that should never be moved without professional help, specialized equipment, and proper insurance coverage.

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1. Pianos

The Weight Reality

Even a "small" upright piano weighs 300-500 pounds. Grand pianos? Try 700-1,200 pounds or more. That's not just heavy—that's potentially life-threatening if something goes wrong.

Why You Can't Do It Yourself

Minimum 6 people required: Even a basic upright piano requires at least six strong, healthy individuals just to lift it safely.
Specialized equipment needed: Professional piano movers use special piano dollies (not regular furniture dollies), skid boards for grands, and E-track systems to secure the instrument during transport.
Serious injury risks: Herniated discs (L4-L5), crushed fingers and toes, sprained muscles, and strained backs are common when amateurs attempt piano moves.
Instrument damage: Pianos are incredibly delicate. Even minor jostling can knock them out of tune or cause internal damage costing thousands to repair.

Expert Tip: Piano manufacturers universally state that the "cardinal rule of piano moving is never to try to do it yourself." This isn't marketing—it's physics.

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2. Gun Safes & Heavy Safes

The Hidden Danger

Gun safes commonly weigh between 500-2,000+ pounds. That's literally a ton of metal with a high center of gravity, awkward shape, and zero forgiveness if you lose control.

Why Professionals Are Essential

Extreme weight concentration: Unlike furniture that distributes weight, safes concentrate massive weight in a small footprint, making them unstable.
Floor damage risk: Moving a heavy safe without proper equipment can gouge hardwood floors, crack tiles, or even break through subflooring.
Stairway catastrophe potential: If a 1,000-pound safe starts sliding down stairs, there's no stopping it. Period.
Hydraulic equipment required: Professional safe movers use hydraulic liftgates and specialized dollies designed for extreme weight loads.

Real Talk: We've moved safes weighing over 2,000 lbs using our hydraulic liftgate. Attempting this with a pickup truck and some buddies isn't brave—it's reckless.

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3. Large Appliances (Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers)

The Deceptive Difficulty

Appliances look manageable. They're not as heavy as pianos, right? Wrong. Modern refrigerators weigh 200-400 pounds, are top-heavy, have slippery surfaces, and have expensive components that break easily.

Common DIY Disasters

Back injuries from awkward lifting: Appliances have no good handholds, forcing you to bend, twist, and lift in ways that guarantee back strain.
Compressor damage: Refrigerators must stay upright or risk compressor damage. One wrong angle during DIY moving can cost $500-1,000 in repairs.
Door and wall damage: Maneuvering a 36-inch-wide fridge through a 32-inch doorway requires technique, not brute force.
Water line disconnection issues: Improper disconnection of water lines can lead to leaks and water damage.

Professional Advantage: We use appliance dollies designed specifically for these items, plus we know how to properly disconnect and protect during transport. Our hydraulic liftgate eliminates the dangerous lift into the truck bed.

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4. Heavy Furniture & Antiques

The Hidden Value Problem

That solid oak dresser your grandmother left you? It weighs 300+ pounds and is irreplaceable. Old furniture is built heavier than modern pieces, and antiques require specialized handling to prevent damage that destroys their value.

Why DIY Moving Fails

Weight concentration in odd places: Heavy furniture has weight distributed unpredictably, making it unstable when tilted or carried.
Finish and wood damage: Amateur movers often scratch, dent, or gouge furniture by not using proper blankets and technique.
Structural failure: Lifting from the wrong points can cause joints to separate, legs to snap, or drawers to fall out.
Insurance issues: If you damage your own antique, your homeowner's insurance likely won't cover it. Professional movers carry liability coverage.

Protection Protocol: We use professional moving blankets, specialized dollies, and proper lifting technique to protect both your furniture and your floors. Plus, we're fully insured.

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5. Pool Tables & Slate Items

The Technical Nightmare

Pool tables aren't just heavy—they're technically complex. A standard pool table has slate surfaces weighing 400-800 pounds, plus the frame, felt, and components. Moving one wrong destroys it permanently.

Why This Requires Specialists

Disassembly required: Pool tables must be completely disassembled to move safely. The slate breaks if moved assembled.
Slate is brittle: Despite weighing hundreds of pounds, slate cracks easily if handled wrong. A cracked slate means replacing the entire table.
Reassembly precision: Properly leveling and refelting a pool table requires specialized tools and experience.
Multiple workers essential: Each piece of slate requires 3-4 people to lift safely.

Industry Standard: Professional pool table movers exist for a reason. The cost of hiring specialists is always less than replacing a $3,000-15,000 table you destroyed trying to save $500.

The Financial Reality: DIY Moving Costs More

Let's talk money. Most people attempt DIY moving to save cash. But here's what actually happens:

Injury Medical Costs

The average cost of treating a back injury ranges from $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on severity. Herniated discs often require surgery.

Property Damage

Damaged flooring, broken doorframes, destroyed furniture—DIY moves average $1,000-5,000 in unintended damage costs.

No Insurance Coverage

Most homeowners insurance excludes coverage for damage or theft during moves. Professional movers carry liability insurance—you don't.

Lost Time and Productivity

A back injury that keeps you out of work for even two weeks costs more than any professional moving service.

Bottom line: Hiring professional movers isn't an expense—it's insurance against catastrophic financial loss.

What Professional Movers Bring to the Table

When you hire professional movers like Locally Swift, you're not just paying for muscle—you're paying for expertise, equipment, and peace of mind.

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Hydraulic Liftgate

Our 2,000-lb capacity hydraulic liftgate eliminates dangerous manual lifting into truck beds. This single piece of equipment prevents the majority of moving injuries.

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Full Insurance Coverage

Professional liability insurance protects your belongings. If something breaks, we're covered. If you break it yourself, you're not.

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Specialized Equipment

Professional dollies, moving blankets, straps, and tools designed specifically for heavy item transport—not improvised solutions.

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Proper Technique & Training

We know how to lift, carry, and secure heavy items safely. This expertise comes from years of experience and OSHA-approved safety protocols.

Don't Risk It. Let Us Handle the Heavy Stuff.

Your back, your belongings, and your bank account will thank you. Get a free quote today and move what you need to move—safely.

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Hydraulic liftgate equipped • Fully insured • Same-day service available

The Bottom Line

Moving heavy items yourself isn't just difficult—it's dangerous, expensive, and often impossible without the right equipment. Pianos, safes, large appliances, antique furniture, and pool tables all require specialized equipment, proper technique, and professional expertise.

Professional movers aren't a luxury—they're a necessity when dealing with items that can injure you, destroy your property, or cost thousands in medical bills and repairs. The small investment in professional service always costs less than the DIY disaster that's waiting to happen.

Remember: Being smart about what you can and can't move yourself isn't admitting weakness—it's exercising good judgment.