How to Move Fragile and High-Value Items Safely (Art, Antiques, Electronics & More)
How to Move Fragile and High-Value Items Safely (Art, Antiques, Electronics & More)
Most moves go smoothly. But when something goes wrong, it almost always involves a fragile or high-value item that wasn't given the attention it deserved. A mirror that shifted in transit. A painting that wasn't wrapped tightly enough. An antique dresser with a corner that caught a doorframe.
If your home has artwork, antiques, pianos, mirrors, grandfather clocks, marble furniture, or anything else that's irreplaceable or expensive, this guide is for you. Here's exactly how to protect your most important belongings from the first wrap to the final placement.
The Golden Rule: Flag It Before Moving Day
The single most important thing you can do for high-value or fragile items is tell your mover about them when you book — not on moving day.
When GoodGuys knows in advance that your move includes a piano, large framed oil paintings, marble furniture, or a grandfather clock, we come prepared. That means the right crew size, the right equipment, the right packing materials, and a plan for how each item gets handled before anyone picks it up. Surprises on moving day lead to rushed decisions. Advance notice leads to careful ones.
How GoodGuys Protects Fragile and High-Value Items
At GoodGuys, we regularly move art, antiques, and high-value items for Atlanta's most discerning homeowners. Here's what we bring and how we use it:
Moving Blankets
Every piece of furniture — but especially antiques, wood pieces, and anything with delicate surfaces — gets wrapped in moving blankets before it moves an inch. Blankets are included on every GoodGuys job at no extra charge. They protect against scratches, dents, and impact during loading, transit, and unloading.
Shrink Wrap
Shrink wrap holds blankets securely in place and bundles items that could shift or open during transit — like drawers, cabinet doors, and upholstered pieces. Also included at no extra charge.
Bubble Wrap and Foam Padding
For items that need an extra layer of protection — framed artwork, mirrors, glass shelving, decorative objects — we use bubble wrap and foam padding to cushion against impact. These materials are applied before blankets go on, creating a layered protection system.
Specialized Piano Moving Equipment
Pianos are one of the most complex items to move safely. They're extremely heavy, awkwardly shaped, and acoustically sensitive. GoodGuys moves pianos regularly and has the right equipment to do it properly — piano boards, heavy-duty straps, and the crew technique to navigate stairs, tight hallways, and doorways without damage.
Custom Crating
For artwork and antiques that require the highest level of protection, GoodGuys offers custom crating. A crate provides a rigid outer shell that moving blankets alone can't offer, and is especially valuable for large oil paintings, sculpture, and one-of-a-kind antique pieces. If you have items you'd like crated, let us know when you book so we can prepare.
Item-by-Item Guide
Artwork and Framed Pieces
Large oil paintings and framed art are among the most common high-value items we move in Atlanta's northern suburbs and intown neighborhoods. Here's how to protect them:
Inform your mover in advance about size, quantity, and any pieces with special value
Paintings should be wrapped in glassine paper first (acid-free, won't damage the surface), then bubble wrap, then moving blankets
Framed pieces with glass should have the glass surface protected with painter's tape in an X pattern to prevent shattering from spreading if broken
Art should be transported vertically, never flat, and never with anything stacked on top of it
For very valuable pieces, ask about custom crating
Mirrors
Mirrors are heavy, awkward, and unforgiving when they break. The process:
Tape an X across the mirror surface with painter's tape to contain glass if it cracks
Wrap in moving blankets and secure with stretch wrap
Transport vertically in the truck, wedged securely so they can't shift
Never lean other items against a wrapped mirror during transit
Antique Furniture
Antiques require the same care as any furniture, but with extra attention to original finishes, delicate joinery, and irreplaceable details.
Remove hardware (knobs, pulls) and pack separately in labeled bags
Wrap legs and corners individually before blanketing the full piece
Antique wood finishes can be damaged by prolonged contact with synthetic materials — use acid-free paper or cotton padding as a first layer before blankets
Flag any structural vulnerabilities (loose joints, fragile inlays) to your crew so they know where not to apply pressure
Pianos
Pianos deserve their own category. Whether it's an upright, a baby grand, or a full concert grand, moving a piano safely requires experience, equipment, and planning.
Always use professional movers for pianos — DIY piano moves are one of the most common sources of serious injury and instrument damage
GoodGuys moves all piano types regularly with specialized equipment and trained crew
Let us know the piano type, dimensions, and any access challenges (stairs, tight doorways) when you book
After a move, pianos almost always need tuning — wait at least 2–4 weeks for the instrument to acclimate to its new environment before scheduling a tuning
Grandfather Clocks
Grandfather clocks are tall, top-heavy, and have delicate internal movements that can be damaged by vibration and improper positioning.
Before moving, have a clockmaker (or follow manufacturer instructions) remove and pack the pendulum, weights, and any loose internal components separately
The clock case should be wrapped in moving blankets and transported upright
Inform your movers of the clock's dimensions and weight in advance
After the move, have a clockmaker reassemble and level the clock before starting it
Marble and Stone Furniture
Marble tabletops, stone sculptures, and heavy decorative stonework are dense, brittle at the edges, and expensive to repair.
Marble tabletops should be removed from bases and wrapped separately
Transport marble vertically when possible — flat horizontal positions put stress on the slab and increase the risk of cracking
Wrap edges and corners in foam padding before moving blankets go on
Never stack anything on top of wrapped marble during transit
Electronics
TVs, home theater equipment, computers, and studio gear are sensitive to shock and static.
Original manufacturer boxes are the gold standard for TV and electronics transport — if you kept them, use them
For TVs without original packaging, flat-screen TV boxes with foam inserts are a good alternative
Never lay a flat-screen TV face down — transport vertically
Photograph the back of all AV equipment and cable connections before unplugging so setup at the new home is straightforward
External hard drives and laptops should travel with you in a personal bag, not in the moving truck
Insurance: What You Need to Know
This is one of the most important and least understood parts of any move involving high-value items, so we want to be completely transparent about how it works.
Georgia's Standard Liability Coverage
Under Georgia state law, moving companies are required to provide basic liability coverage of $0.30 per pound per item. This coverage is embedded in every GoodGuys quote at no additional cost to you.
Here's what that means in practice: if a 50-pound item is damaged, the base coverage would be $15. For everyday household items, this is a baseline protection. For high-value items — a $5,000 painting, an antique armoire, or a grand piano — it won't come close to replacement cost.
This isn't unique to GoodGuys — it's how Georgia law works for all moving companies. We believe you deserve to know it upfront.
Additional Coverage Options
For customers with high-value items, GoodGuys offers additional coverage options beyond the state minimum. We walk you through the cost clearly and transparently so you know exactly what you're paying for before moving day. No hidden fees, no surprises.
If you have items of significant value — art, antiques, pianos, or anything that would be costly or impossible to replace — we strongly recommend discussing additional coverage when you book.
Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance
It's also worth checking your existing homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Some policies extend coverage to belongings during a move. A quick call to your insurance agent before moving day can clarify whether your most valuable items are already protected.
Before Moving Day: A High-Value Item Checklist
Inventory your high-value and fragile items and flag them when booking
Photograph every high-value item from multiple angles before the move
Ask about additional coverage for items that exceed basic liability limits
Remove and separately pack any loose components (clock pendulums, piano parts, hardware)
Keep original boxes for electronics if you have them
Discuss custom crating needs for artwork or antiques
Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance for moving coverage
Plan where high-value items will be placed in the new home so your crew knows exactly where they're going
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GoodGuys move pianos?
Yes — we move all piano types regularly and have the specialized equipment and crew technique to do it safely. Let us know the piano type and any access challenges when you book.
Does GoodGuys offer custom crating for artwork?
Yes — for artwork and antiques that require rigid outer protection, we offer custom crating. Flag these items when you book so we can prepare.
What insurance does GoodGuys carry?
Every GoodGuys move includes Georgia's standard liability coverage of $0.30 per pound per item at no additional cost. This is required by Georgia state law and applies to all moving companies. For high-value items, we offer additional coverage options and walk you through the cost transparently. We recommend discussing this when you book if you have items of significant value.
Should I get separate insurance for very valuable items?
For extremely valuable items — fine art, rare antiques, instruments — we recommend combining GoodGuys' additional coverage with a conversation with your homeowner's or renter's insurance provider. We'll help you understand your options.
What's the most important thing I can do to protect fragile items during a move?
Flag them in advance. When we know what's coming, we come prepared. Surprises on moving day are the most common reason items don't get the attention they deserve.
Do you charge extra for moving fragile or high-value items?
Our standard hourly rate applies to all moves. Items that require extra time and care — like pianos or large antiques — simply take longer, which is reflected in the hours. Custom crating is a separate cost. Everything is discussed upfront before moving day.
Moving something irreplaceable? Get a free estimate from GoodGuys and tell us about your high-value items when you reach out — we’ll make sure moving day goes exactly as it should.