Specialty Home Moving Services
Some belongings need more than a careful pair of hands — they need a plan. Suddath offers specialty moving services for items that standard moves aren’t equipped to handle, from grand pianos and fine art to vehicles, boats and beyond.
When Standard Moving Isn’t Enough
Moving specialty items refers to any item that requires custom handling, additional equipment or specialized expertise for safe transportation. If an item is oversized, high-value, fragile or has unique structural needs, a standard moving approach isn’t enough. The right care is required to protect your belongings from start to finish.
Suddath’s specialty movers are experienced in planning and executing moves, even for the most complex items. Every specialty move begins with a thorough pre-move survey to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Every Specialty Item Gets a Plan of Its Own
Before a single item is touched, Suddath develops a customized approach for each piece requiring special attention. We coordinate the right personnel, equipment and expertise for your move.
Detailed Pre-Move Assessment
Your move coordinator conducts a thorough inventory of your belongings to identify any items requiring special handling. This step ensures accurate planning, proper resources and a surprise-free moving day.
Custom Crating and Protective Handling
Items that can't be safely transported in standard packaging are carefully measured and fitted for purpose-built custom crates. Our team uses professional-grade materials and techniques to protect every piece throughout the move.
Specialist Coordination
We have dedicated experts who handle moving vehicles, boats or pets. Suddath coordinates with trusted specialty partners, so every element of your move is handled by the right hands.
Our Specialty Moving Services
White-Glove Moving Services
Our fully managed move experience covers every detail from your first consultation to the final placement, so you can walk into your new home without missing a beat.
Full-Service Packing
Professional packing teams use proven materials and techniques to protect every item in your home.
Piano Moving Service
Our trained specialists understand the structural and environmental needs of every instrument. This ensures your piano arrives protected and as expected.
Custom Crating
We use purpose-built crates for fragile, oversized or irregularly shaped items. Each is measured and constructed specifically for the piece it protects.
Pet Relocation
We work with trusted specialists to coordinate a safe, stress-free journey for your four-legged family members.
Auto Transport
Our team arranges safe, reliable vehicle transportation for local and long-distance moves. Suddath moves your cars quickly and safely to your new driveway.
Moving Motorcycles
If you need someone to carefully transport your motorcycle, Suddath can work with our trusted partners to ensure it gets to your new destination safely and ready to go the distance.
Boat Transport
We coordinate careful, expert transport for recreational vehicles and big-ticket items like watercraft, handling the details so you don't have to.
RESOURCES
7 Special Items You Can’t Trust Just Anyone to Move
When preparing for a move, it is necessary to plan on getting help with items that require special handling, packing, or storage. Many items in your home may not fare well with people who don’t have the training to move them, or in a facility without proper temperature and humidity control.
Moving Checklist
When you’re planning a move, it can feel like there are too many steps in your moving checklist to prioritize, let alone accomplish. This moving checklist gives you the most important steps, prioritized with a suggested timeline. Don’t worry if you’re starting less than eight weeks before your move date. You can customize this moving list according to your own timeline and add steps or leave out ones that don’t apply.
SPECIALTY MOVING SERVICES FAQ
Cost for custom crating all depends on the type, size, materials used, destination, etc. Crates can sometimes be pre-sized to fit more common items that require extra protection, but often a crate is custom built to the dimensions and weight of the object, which then determines the final size. In some instances, the crate may be very large and heavy, requiring special equipment to load the crate for transport. And of course, the materials needed to cushion the inside can vary as well. Your Suddath coordinator will work with you to determine exactly which items are candidates for custom crating for the move and help devise the most cost-effective plan.
In most instances, the size of the move will determine the number of moving vessels needed. Average-sized residential homes will often have standard items to pack and may have some crated items. There are some properties however, they may have an abundance of items that require custom crating, and the need for an additional vehicle to pack and move the crates may be a consideration. All details will be outlined in the agreement with the moving crate company you contract with and tracked during the process.
Time can vary just like with the move itself, based on weather, road conditions, traffic and other extenuating circumstances. For example, a company such as Atlas Van Lines suggests their typical move time is 8-10 business days domestically, but all details will be outlined in the moving agreement with the company you contract with and tracked during the process.
That all depends on the method. If you choose to hire a driver, they may charge by the mile, time, and of course the cost of fuel. With auto transport companies, there are a number of factors to consider: number of cars, weight and size of vehicles, distance, timing, special transportation vehicle needed, etc. – all of which will be factored into a detailed moving quote. An average amount found during a quick Internet search for vehicle transport estimates costs starting at $500 and moving upwards from there.
Most auto transport companies will work with you to determine any specialty accommodations for unique or high-value automobiles. This may include the vessel needed to transport the vehicle, added insurance coverage beyond standard policies, and any tools or equipment needed upon delivery, especially if the vehicle is inoperable.
Our service offering does not include singular boat moves. We are, however, partnered with skilled boat transport companies who can manage moving your boat as part of an overall home move. A Suddath coordinator can guide you through the process of securing quotes and instructions, and maintain all this information as part of one-stop-moving services for ease.
There are many factors that determine the cost to move a boat including weight, size, height, make, model, distance and location of the new home. Some estimates range from $600-$1000 to transport a boat, but of course, large luxury water vessels like yachts may require an entire move plan, with costs of yacht movers, and more. All the details will be assessed by the boat transport company and your move coordinator at Suddath to determine the true cost, which in some instances could include a storage facility fee along the way depending on the move plan.
There are many factors that determine the cost to move a piano including weight, size, and distance of relocation. According to national home sites, costs range from as low as $150 to upwards of $2,000, with a national average just shy of $400. All the details will be assessed by your move coordinator at Suddath to determine the true cost, which in some instances could include a storage facility fee along the way depending on the move plan.
Yes, and generally extra personnel skilled in moving pianos are required as well. Depending on the type, style, size and weight of a piano, some equipment needed may include dollies, straps, clamps, piano skid boards and heavy-duty furniture blankets to protect the instrument. In some cases, piano movers have been known to use cranes as well. The crucial step of a pre-move home assessment will outline what is needed ahead of time to move a piano so that move day goes smoothly.
There are a number of issues factored into how, when and where a pet will be relocated to a new home using a service. For instance, older or larger breeds may benefit more from ground transportation, but some relocations may be overseas which would then require sea or air travel. Airlines will have certain regulations for documentation for a pet transfer and providers will need to carefully manage travel and delivery times.