Everything You Need to Know About Moving Specialty Items
Moving in New York City comes with its own set of challenges - tight stairwells, narrow entryways, walk-ups, and limited parking. But when your belongings go beyond the typical boxes and furniture, you need more than a standard moving crew. You need specialty item movers.
Whether it's an oversized piano, a fragile chandelier, or a valuable antique armoire, certain items require a level of precision, care, and planning that only trained specialists can provide. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about moving specialty items in NYC - including how to move oversized furniture, fragile artwork, and heavy or awkward items safely.
What Do Movers Consider a Specialty Item?
In the moving world, a "specialty item" is anything that is:
- Too large or heavy for one person to move
- Fragile or high in value
- Awkwardly shaped or difficult to disassemble
- Sentimentally or financially irreplaceable
Examples include:
- Grand and upright pianos
- Antique armoires and credenzas (Antique Furniture Movers)
- Fine art, sculptures, or installations (Fine Art Movers)
- Pool tables, hot tubs, and gym equipment
- Large appliances and commercial-grade equipment
- Chandeliers and oversized mirrors
These items often require not only special handling but also custom equipment like crates, dollies, hoisting straps, or even window lifts.
Why You Should Hire Professional Specialty Movers
Moving heavy, valuable, or delicate pieces on your own or with untrained help can lead to damage or injury. Professional specialty movers bring:
- Expertise in fragile and oversized items
- Custom protective packing and crating
- Hoisting equipment and techniques for window lifts when items won’t fit through doorways
- Experience navigating NYC buildings and working with superintendents, COIs, and building regulations
- Proper licensing and insurance to protect your property and investment
With Avant-Garde Moving & Storage, you get all this - plus our signature white-glove care.
How Do You Move Oversized or Delicate Items Safely?
The safest way to move specialty items is to plan ahead and let professionals handle it. Our team typically follows these steps:
- Assessment: We survey the item and its current and destination spaces (including measurements, access points, and restrictions).
- Protection: Items are wrapped, crated, or cushioned with custom materials.
- Transport: Our movers use padded dollies, lifts, and climate-controlled trucks to protect delicate finishes.
- Delivery and Placement: We place each item exactly where you want it - and if needed, we assemble or position it with care.
We specialize in moving oversized furniture in NYC, ensuring your items are protected every step of the way.
What If My Furniture Doesn’t Fit Through the Door?
You're not alone - this is a common NYC issue. When oversized furniture or art doesn’t fit through hallways, elevators, or stairwells, our team uses hoisting techniques through windows or balconies & scissor lifts (usually up to the third floor).

We assess the structure and use ropes, straps, and a coordinated team to lift your items safely from the street. This is a specialty service that not all movers offer, but it's essential for NYC brownstones, pre-war buildings, and luxury apartments.
What happens if something damages?
With licensed and insured specialty movers like Avant-Garde, your items - and your property - are protected.
Before we move anything, our team takes the time to thoroughly prepare your space. That means covering floors, wrapping door frames, protecting walls, and carefully securing every item with custom padding, blankets, or crating as needed. We treat your home as carefully as we do your belongings.
In the rare event that something is damaged during the move:
- It must be noted on your Bill of Lading on the day of the move
- You can file a claim within the time frame outlined in your service agreement
- Our team will assist with documentation and help ensure a fair, timely resolution
But with the right preparation, professional handling, and attention to detail, damages are extremely rare. That’s the Avant-Garde difference!
Tips to Make Moving Specialty Items Easier
- Let us know in advance what you need moved and share photos or dimensions if possible
- Flag fragile or irreplaceable items, even if they don't appear delicate
- Prepare your space by clearing walkways and securing pets or small children
- Be present during pickup and delivery, or assign a responsible contact on-site
Why Avant-Garde Is the Trusted Name in Specialty Moving
We are the go-to specialty item movers in NYC for clients who expect care, clarity, and craftsmanship. From art collectors and designers to families with heirloom furniture, our clients know their most valued items are in expert hands.
- White-glove handling for all specialty moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crating and protection for art, antiques, and instruments
- Discreet, insured, and COI-ready for NYC buildings
We also offer short-term and long-term storage for oversized or seasonal items.
Nature's Symphony
Ready to Move Something Special?
If you’re searching for professional movers for bulky items, safe moving for heavy or awkward items, or simply need expert help with a piano, hot tub, or armoire, Avant-Garde Moving & Storage is here to help.
Get in touch today to request a quote for your specialty move. Whether you're moving a custom armoire into a tight walk-up or need a large sculpture lifted through a window using a scissor lift, our experienced team and specialized equipment can handle it all - with precision and care.
Let us make your next specialty move seamless and stress-free!
