Book a heavy lift.

Heavy lifting services in the UK — moving pianos, safes, large garden ornaments, hot tubs, and other awkward items — typically cost £150–£800 for a single job. Specialists with the right kit (stair-climbing trolleys, hoists, slings) handle items most regular removal firms refuse. Hourly rates typically £80-£150 for a 2-3 person team.

This is a different service from house removals — it's specialist movement of a single difficult item, often within or between properties.

Typical UK heavy-lift costs

Common heavy-lift jobs

• Pianos — uprights weigh 200-300 kg, grands 300-450 kg. Stairs, narrow corridors, and tight turns demand specialist equipment.
• Safes — domestic safes range from 50 kg portables to 800+ kg floor-anchored monsters. Heavy safes need stair-climbing equipment or removal of doors/banisters for access.
• Hot tubs — typically 250-350 kg empty. Often need removing through a fence or hoist over a roof. Recommissioning involves levelling, plumbing, electrical reconnection.
• Pool / billiard tables — slate beds are heavy and brittle. Disassemble carefully, transport flat, reassemble with re-levelling.
• Garden ornaments — stone urns and statues 50-300 kg. Damp ground and lifting angle matter.
• Architectural items — old fireplaces, range cookers, cast-iron baths. Often awkward as well as heavy.

What's typically included

• Site survey or photo assessment before booking.
• Specialist equipment (stair climbers, dollies, slings, hoists).
• 2-4 person team with experience for the specific item type.
• Floor and wall protection during the move.
• Loading and transport (typically by van or specialist vehicle).
• Unload and final positioning at destination.
• Insurance for the item during transit (check cover limits for valuable items).

Specialist considerations by item

• Pianos — should be retuned 2-4 weeks after moving (not immediately) to allow strings to settle. Most piano movers offer or coordinate this.
• Safes — re-anchor at destination if previously bolted. Empty cash and contents before moving (insurance complication).
• Hot tubs — drain fully before moving. Transport upright on edge with clear-rated suspension. Allow 24-48 hours after refilling for heating to recover.
• Pool tables — disassemble in correct order (cushions, slate, frame). Reassemble on a perfectly level base with shimming as needed. Slate beds chip if mishandled.
• Stone garden ornaments — winter freeze risk if cracked during moving. Inspect before paying balance.

Things people often miss

• Access route survey — measure doorways, stair widths, ceiling heights along the entire route. Many heavy-lift jobs are aborted at the door because no-one measured.
• Insurance for high-value items — standard goods-in-transit insurance often caps at £25,000-£100,000 per item. Pianos and antiques may exceed this; declare value upfront and arrange specialist cover.
• Floor protection — heavy-lift equipment can mark hardwood and laminate floors. Specialist movers bring blankets, sheets, and ply boards; budget movers often don't.
• Ground conditions — for garden ornaments and hot tubs, wet or frozen ground complicates lifting. Plan for the right weather window.
• Storage during sale — if the item needs to be stored between properties, specialist storage (climate-controlled for pianos and antiques) costs £50-£200/week.
• Disassembly time — grand pianos and pool tables disassemble in 1-3 hours; reassembly the same. Build this into the day's schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A specialist heavy-lift firm with the right equipment and experience for your specific item is the only sensible choice for pianos, safes, hot tubs, and pool tables. Worth getting 2-3 quotes for the same job; pricing varies by 30-50% between firms.