Specialty Item Moving: Pianos, Hot Tubs, Pool Tables, Gun Safes & More

Some items are not regular furniture. Pianos weigh 500–1,200 lbs and have to be moved on edge. Hot tubs weigh 700–1,000 lbs and need special tilting equipment. Gun safes can hit 1,500+ lbs. Pool tables come apart in 5+ pieces and have to be re-leveled like surgery. These are specialty moves, and they require specialty experience.

After moving hundreds of specialty items across Avon Lake, Cleveland, and Northeast Ohio, here's the honest guide to what's involved, what it costs, and how to do it right.

Pianos

Why pianos are different

A piano isn't furniture — it's a precision instrument with 230+ strings under 18+ tons of total tension. Moving it incorrectly damages the soundboard, throws strings out of tune, and can crack the cast-iron plate. And they're heavy. Really heavy.

Piano weights

• Spinet (small upright): 200–400 lbs
• Console upright: 350–500 lbs
• Studio upright: 500–700 lbs
• Full upright: 700–900 lbs
• Baby grand: 500–600 lbs
• Grand piano: 700–1,200 lbs
• Concert grand: 900–1,200+ lbs

How professionals move pianos

• Special piano dolly designed to take the weight on the casters, not the legs
• Heavy-duty straps, padding, and a piano board for tilting
• Grands are typically removed of legs, pedal lyre, and music stand; wrapped, placed on edge on a piano board, then tilted upright at the new home
• 3+ movers minimum for any full-size piano

Cost to move a piano

• Upright: $300–$600 local; $700–$1,500 long-distance
• Baby grand: $400–$750 local; $900–$2,000 long-distance
• Full grand: $600–$1,200 local; $1,500–$3,500 long-distance
• Stairs add $50–$150 per flight

After the move

Most pianos need to be re-tuned 2–4 weeks after a move — give the piano time to acclimate to the new humidity and temperature. Tuning is typically $150–$250.

Hot Tubs / Spas

Why hot tubs are tricky

• 700–1,000 lbs of awkward weight
• Often surrounded by decks or stuck on patios with no clear path
• The shell can crack if it's lifted from the wrong points
• Electrical hookup needs to be disconnected by an electrician (or you, if you're qualified)

What's involved

• Drain the tub completely 24 hours before the move
• Disconnect electrical (240V usually — needs a qualified person)
• Disconnect the cover and remove side panels for lighter weight
• Use a special hot tub dolly with straps; tilt onto edge for transport
• 3–4 movers minimum

Cost to move a hot tub

• Local: $400–$1,000
• Long-distance: $800–$2,500
• Deck removal, stair access, or crane lifts can add $300–$1,500+

Pool Tables

Why pool tables need pros

A pool table isn't just heavy — it's a precision-level surface. The slate (the actual playing surface) is in 3 pieces weighing ~250 lbs each. They have to be reassembled and leveled to within fractions of a millimeter at the new location. Felt is usually replaced as part of the move.

What's involved

• Remove felt and pockets (felt is often re-stretched or replaced)
• Disassemble: top frame, slate (3 pieces), legs
• Transport slate flat and protected — never on edge
• Reassemble at new location, level using a precision level, re-felt

Cost to move a pool table

• Standard 7-foot or 8-foot table: $400–$700
• 9-foot tournament table: $600–$1,200
• Add $100–$300 for new felt if needed

Gun Safes

Weight class

• Small safe (200–400 lbs): standard movers can handle
• Medium safe (500–800 lbs): specialty equipment needed
• Large safe (1,000–1,500+ lbs): heavy-duty dollies, ramps, sometimes 4 movers
• Mega safe (2,000+ lbs): may require crane or forklift access

What's involved

• Empty the safe (firearms transported separately by owner)
• Disengage internal bolts/anchors
• Special heavy-duty machine dolly rated for 1,500+ lbs
• Stair climbers or extra movers for any stairs

Cost to move a gun safe

• Local: $300–$700 for most residential safes
• Large commercial safes: $700–$2,000+
• Stairs add significantly — sometimes 50% surcharge

Other Specialty Items We Move

• Large aquariums: drain water but save 2/3 for re-setup; transport fish in bagged tank water; refill and stabilize before reintroducing fish
• Antiques and art: custom crating, climate-controlled transport, white-glove handling
• Treadmills and gym equipment: often need disassembly; weight ranges from 200–500 lbs
• Outdoor sheds: some can be lifted intact; others need disassembly
• Riding mowers / tractors: roll-on roll-off via truck ramp
• Wine collections: climate-controlled boxes; temperature stability matters
• Marble and granite tables: rolled, not slid; cracked stone can't be repaired invisibly

What NOT to Try DIY

Any of the items above. Seriously. The combination of weight, fragility, and value means a DIY mistake can cost more than 10× what the professional move would have. Pianos, especially, are commonly destroyed by people trying to save $400 — and that's a $3,000–$15,000 mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can regular movers handle specialty items?

Some can, some can't. Always ask specifically about the item in question. We at ASAP Moving handle pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, gun safes, and most other specialty items in-house — you don't need to hire a separate specialty mover.

How do you move a piano up stairs?

Carefully. With 3–4 trained movers, a piano board, heavy-duty straps, and specialty stair-climbing dollies for spiral or tight staircases. Always pad the bannisters and walls. For grand pianos up narrow stairs, sometimes the legs and lyre come off first.

Do I need to drain my hot tub before moving?

Yes — completely. A full hot tub is 3,000+ lbs of water plus the tub itself. Drain 24 hours in advance. You'll also need to disconnect the electrical (usually 240V), which often requires a licensed electrician.

Will my pool table need new felt after moving?

Often yes. Removing and re-stretching old felt is possible but the felt is usually worn anyway. Most pool table moves include or quote optional new felt as part of the service.

What about firearms in a gun safe?

Firearms always travel with the owner, not in the moving truck. Federal law prohibits movers from transporting loaded firearms; many movers won't transport firearms at all. Take them with you in your own vehicle, locked and unloaded.

Let the Pros Handle It

At ASAP Moving & Hauling LLC, we move specialty items every week — pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, gun safes, and more — across Avon Lake, Cleveland, Westlake, and all of Northeast Ohio. We have the equipment, the team, and the insurance.

Call (440) 517-4921 or request a free quote — tell us what you need moved, we'll give you a real number.