Giga
The short answer
Plan the route before the equipment
Furniture moves go best when protection, measuring and access are sorted before move day. The more awkward or valuable the piece, the more photos, dismantling plans and clear insurance matter.
- Measure the furniture, doorways, stairs and lift before you book.
- Protect floors, wrap every piece, strap the load and unload with care.
- Antiques, pianos, glass and valuable pieces need their own plan.
- Taking furniture apart prevents damage when it won't fit in one piece.
How Professional Furniture Movers Protect Your Items
Good furniture moving starts with protection, not lifting. Floors, bannisters, door frames and the furniture itself are covered before the first item is carried.
That means floor protection, wrapping, secure loading, careful unloading and dismantling where needed.
Floor Protection
Covering floors and shared areas prevents scratches and dents in flats, houses and managed buildings.
Furniture Wrapping
Blankets, stretch wrap and corner guards stop scratches, fabric marks and chipped edges.
Secure Loading in the Van
Furniture is loaded in a stable order and strapped so nothing shifts on the road.
Disassembly and Reassembly
Beds, tables and wardrobes often move more safely in pieces, rebuilt at the new address.
How Much Does It Cost to Move Furniture?
The cost depends on how many items there are, their weight, access, distance, crew size and any dismantling or specialist handling.
A single sofa or table is a small van job. A full home of furniture needs a bigger crew, more time and a careful loading order.
Moving Basic Furniture
Sofas, beds, tables and chairs are priced by the hour and crew size when access is simple.
Moving Special Furniture
Antiques, pianos, glass and very heavy items are priced after we see photos and check access.
Related reading: Sofa Assembly & Dismantling Guide for Moving and London Narrow Staircase Furniture Access Solutions.
Types of Furniture and How They're Moved
Each type of furniture goes wrong in its own way. Sofas jam at turns, wardrobes flex, beds lose fittings, pianos are heavy and glass tables chip.
Spot the awkward items early and decide whether they need wrapping, dismantling, extra movers or special equipment.
Sofas
Measure sofas against doors, stair turns and lifts. Corner sofas may need splitting into sections or hoisting.
Beds and Frames
Take bed frames apart carefully and bag and label the fittings.
Wardrobes and Built-In Furniture
Large wardrobes usually need dismantling. Built-in furniture often can't be moved at all.
Pianos
Pianos need the right equipment and experienced movers. They are heavy and their weight is unevenly spread.
Common Furniture Moving Mistakes
The easiest mistakes to avoid: not measuring doorways, risky DIY dismantling, leaving valuable furniture unprotected and leaving fragile things in drawers.
Also: not telling the crew where each item goes, not taking photos before the move and not mentioning delicate pieces when you book.
Decision table
Furniture moving methods compared
| Furniture type | Main risk | Best handling method | Extra note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofas | Tight stairs and doorways | Measure, protect and dismantle where possible | Hoisting may be needed if access fails |
| Beds and frames | Lost fittings or frame damage | Dismantle and bag screws clearly | Reassembly should be agreed before booking |
| Wardrobes | Panel flex and stair turns | Dismantle large flat-pack items | Built-ins may not be movable |
| Pianos | Weight and balance | Use specialist equipment and crew | Never treat as normal furniture |
| Glass tables | Chips and cracks | Remove glass tops and wrap separately | Do not load under pressure |
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
Giga Removals furniture moves start at £55 an hour for a Small Transit and driver, with a 2-hour minimum (£110). With a 2-person crew it is £75 an hour, 2-hour minimum (£150), and a Luton Box Van with a 3-person crew is £130 an hour, 3-hour minimum (£390). Mileage is charged one way, collection to delivery, and stairs are charged at £10 per person per flight per hour (ground floor free, a working lift removes the charge). Heavy, valuable or awkward furniture may be better on a fixed quote after we have seen photos and checked access.
Yes. Most beds, tables, desks and flat-pack wardrobes can be dismantled at the old address and reassembled at the new one, as long as it is agreed before booking. Dismantling and reassembly are charged separately from transport, so list each item that needs it and send photos where you can. Keep the fixings in labelled bags taped to the furniture, and mention any item that has been taken apart before, as old fixings can be worn.
For valuable antiques, specialist handling is strongly recommended. That means proper wrapping for delicate finishes, photographs of the item's condition before it is moved, and a conversation about insurance before booking. Every Giga booking includes £10,000 goods-in-transit cover, so declare high-value pieces in advance and check whether you need more. Mention fragile legs, loose veneers or glass panels so the crew can bring the right materials and plan how to carry each piece.
The crew will first try safe options such as different angles, removing doors or feet, or dismantling the item if it is designed to come apart. If the furniture still cannot pass through the stairs or hallway safely, an alternative route such as hoisting through a window or balcony may be the safest option. Sending measurements of the item and photos of the stairs and doorways before moving day helps avoid the problem altogether.
