10 Items That Require Professional Packing Services in NYC
Why Some Things Should Never Be DIY
Packing is often one of the most stressful and time-consuming parts of a move—especially in New York City, where tight staircases, small elevators, restricted loading zones, and nonstop traffic make maneuvering fragile or oversized belongings particularly challenging. While everyday items can often be packed safely on your own, certain belongings require far more expertise and specialized handling.
Professional packing services aren’t just a luxury—they’re a safeguard. They ensure that your most fragile, valuable, or complicated items are protected using proper materials, advanced techniques, and specialized equipment. Perfect Moving & Storage’s packing professionals handle thousands of delicate, high-value items every year, making sure each piece is wrapped, padded, stabilized, and transported with precision.
Here are ten categories of items that should always be packed by professionals—and the reasons why.
Pianos
Pianos are among the most difficult and dangerous items for anyone to move without professional support. They are extremely heavy, unevenly balanced, and sensitive to both movement and temperature. Even a minor bump can affect tuning, damage internal components, or leave permanent scratches.
Professional movers use piano boards, protective blankets, dollies, and lifting straps to stabilize and transport pianos safely. Each section is wrapped carefully, the pedals and lid are secured, and the entire structure is immobilized during the move. Larger pianos—including baby grands and concert pianos—often require partial disassembly to ensure they move safely through tight NYC spaces, followed by expert reassembly.
Perfect Moving & Storage’s piano specialists are trained to move every type of instrument without compromising tuning, structure, or finish.
Pro Tip: Never place a piano near heat sources or cold drafts after moving—temperature fluctuations can cause wooden components to crack or warp.
Artwork and Sculptures
Fine art—whether sentimental, decorative, or investment-grade—requires museum-level care. Paintings, prints, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces can be damaged by pressure, moisture, vibration, and sunlight.
Professional packers use materials like glassine paper, acid-free tissue, foam padding, and corner protectors to secure artwork safely. Sculptures and large installations are wrapped in layered foam, bubble wrap, and custom-built crates shaped precisely to each piece’s form and weight. For high-value or temperature-sensitive artwork, movers may also use climate-controlled vehicles and humidity-resistant packing materials.
Pro Tip: Never wrap artwork in plastic alone—it traps condensation, which can warp, stain, or discolor surfaces. Use breathable materials like glassine or acid-free paper first.
Antiques and Vintage Furniture
Antiques and vintage pieces are irreplaceable. Their age, craftsmanship, and delicate structural details make them especially vulnerable during a move. Many feature fragile joints, aged wood, ornate carvings, or vintage hardware that cannot withstand impact or vibration.
Professional packers handle antiques with precision—using non-adhesive wraps, cotton padding, soft blankets, and edge protectors to preserve finishes. Delicate or oversized pieces may be disassembled and placed in reinforced wooden crates lined with foam to eliminate movement.
Perfect Moving & Storage’s antique team specializes in handling everything from gilded mirrors to marble-topped vanities and century-old armoires.
Pro Tip: Avoid wrapping antique wood with plastic directly. Plastic traps moisture, which can damage finishes and encourage warping.
Large Electronics
Televisions, sound systems, computers, gaming consoles, and other electronics contain sensitive circuits and fragile components that cannot withstand even minor drops or sharp movements.
Professional movers use anti-static bubble wrap, foam padding, screen protectors, and fitted boxes to prevent internal or external damage. They also label cords and accessories individually to make reinstallation quicker and safer. When possible, movers pack electronics in their original boxes; if not, they create custom-fitted alternatives.
Sensitive electronics such as servers, DJ equipment, or audio systems often benefit from climate-controlled transportation.
Pro Tip: Always back up digital files before moving. Even with expert handling, it’s smart to protect your data.
Glass and Marble Furniture
Glass and marble pieces are elegant—but extremely fragile. Glass can shatter with even a light impact, while marble is heavy, brittle, and susceptible to cracks and chips.
Professional movers use corner guards, foam sleeves, reinforced crates, and thick padding to protect these surfaces. Marble is always transported upright to prevent stress fractures caused by its own weight. Movers also use specialized dollies and straps to safely guide these items through tight NYC hallways and narrow entrances.
Pro Tip: Keep heavy marble pieces vertical, never flat. Horizontal pressure makes them significantly more prone to cracking.
Appliances
Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers may look sturdy, but they contain delicate internal components, hoses, and wiring. They also require proper disconnection and preparation before being moved.
Professional movers disconnect, drain, and secure moving parts using protective wraps, straps, and brackets. They also bring tools designed to prevent scratching floors or walls during removal and installation. Once moved, professional movers can reposition appliances correctly and help prepare them for immediate use.
Perfect Moving & Storage offers full appliance moving and setup services to ensure efficiency and safety.
Pro Tip: Defrost and clean your refrigerator at least 24 hours before moving to prevent mildew, odors, and leaks.
Chandeliers and Lighting Fixtures
Chandeliers, pendants, and other lighting fixtures are incredibly fragile, often featuring delicate crystals, thin wiring, or intricate metalwork. One wrong move can break a major component or damage the wiring.
Professional packers disassemble each fixture carefully, wrapping every piece separately with soft foam and bubble wrap. Components are packed into custom-fit boxes with foam inserts to prevent shifting in transit. Every part is meticulously labeled to ensure easy reassembly at your new location.
Pro Tip: Keep all hardware—screws, brackets, and bulbs—in a clearly labeled small box so nothing gets misplaced during reinstallation.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments—whether used professionally or cherished personally—react strongly to temperature, humidity, and motion. Even modest shifts can affect sound quality or structural integrity.
Professional movers use hard-shell cases, foam padding, humidity packs, and shock-resistant crates to keep instruments stable. Larger items such as harps, basses, and timpani require custom crating and vibration-minimizing equipment. Trucks with air-ride suspension protect against harsh bumps on NYC streets.
Perfect Moving & Storage regularly handles instruments for professional musicians, orchestras, and collectors.
Pro Tip: Loosen strings slightly before packing to prevent tension-related cracks or warping.
Mirrors and Framed Items
Mirrors and framed items are among the most commonly broken belongings during DIY moves. Their edges, corners, and glass faces require strict protection.
Professional movers place painter’s tape across glass surfaces to stabilize them, wrap them in foam and bubble wrap, and secure them with corner protectors before placing them inside fitted mirror boxes. They also transport these items upright and ensure they’re tightly padded to prevent movement.
Pro Tip: Label mirrors and framed items with “Do Not Lay Flat.” Storing them horizontally increases pressure on the glass and can cause cracking.
Fragile Decor and Collectibles
Porcelain figurines, crystal vases, limited-edition pieces, and other collectibles often have delicate shapes and thin materials that standard packing methods cannot adequately protect.
Professional packers wrap each item individually using tissue paper or bubble wrap and place them in sectioned, compartmentalized boxes that immobilize every piece. This prevents items from clashing or shifting during transport. Perfect Moving & Storage’s team uses museum-quality techniques for especially fragile decor.
Pro Tip: Label collectible boxes by both content type and fragility level—for example, “Crystal – High Fragility”—so movers know exactly how to prioritize handling.
Why Professional Packing Pays Off
Many NYC residents underestimate the time, energy, and caution required for proper packing. While DIY methods may seem cost-effective, they often lead to breakage, stress, and unexpected expenses.
With professional packing services in NYC, you get access to premium packing materials and custom-built crates, expert handling from trained specialists, full insurance protection for valuable items, and faster, safer, and more streamlined moves.
Perfect Moving & Storage takes pride in offering NYC’s most reliable, secure packing services. From fragile keepsakes to priceless family heirlooms, every item is handled with meticulous care.
Ready to protect what matters most? Let NYC’s top-rated movers safeguard your valuable and delicate belongings with unmatched precision and professionalism. Book your professional packing service today.
