In short
Antiques, pianos, artwork and heirlooms are planned for individually at your free survey: how each piece is wrapped, how it leaves the house and where it travels in the lorry. The owners are on the move themselves, and we are fully insured.
Last reviewed 28 September 2026 by the Allman family team
Ideal for
- Homes with antique or period furniture
- Owners of pianos, clocks and large mirrors
- Collectors of art, china, porcelain or glass
- Families moving heirlooms passed down the generations
- Period cottages and country houses with tight access
What shapes your quote
- Number and size of valuable pieces
- Access at both homes: stairs, steps, doorways and parking
- Whether items need dismantling and reassembly
- Packing needed for fragile items
- Distance between homes
Every quote is free, tailored after a survey, and carries no obligation.
Why clients choose Allman
Planned piece by piece
Important items are discussed at the survey, so there is a plan for each one before moving day, not a decision on the doorstep.
Owners on the move
Storry and Simon Thrower run the firm their father founded in 1948 and are on moves themselves.
Fully insured
We are fully insured. Ask at your survey about cover for particularly valuable pieces.
Dismantling & reassembly
Beds, wardrobes and larger furniture can be taken apart and rebuilt carefully at the new home.
Why valuable items need a plan, not just padding
Most damage to good furniture happens at doorways, stairs and corners, not in the lorry. A long-case clock, a marble-topped table or a large gilt frame each needs thinking about: what comes off, what is wrapped, which way it turns on the stairs and who carries which end.
That is why we look at these pieces during the survey. By moving day, everyone knows the route and the method.
What we move with extra care
If it matters to you, it matters to us. Common examples include:
- Antique furniture and period pieces
- Pianos
- Paintings, prints and large framed mirrors
- China, porcelain and glass collections
- Clocks, lamps and delicate ornaments
- Family heirlooms with more sentimental than monetary value
Period homes and tricky access
Many homes around Chichester have narrow staircases, low beams, stone steps or tight turns. We protect floors and doorways, take our time on stairs and, where needed, dismantle furniture to get it out safely rather than forcing it.
Tell us what is most important
Let us know about valuable or sentimental items when you enquire or at the survey. Photos by WhatsApp are useful. It lets us plan properly and make sure your quote reflects the care each piece needs.
How it works
- 01
Tell us about the key pieces
- 02
Free survey, in person or by WhatsApp video
- 03
A handling plan for each item
- 04
Careful wrap, carry and load
- 05
Placed where you want it at the new home
Common questions
Do you move pianos?+
Yes, pianos are one of the items we regularly handle. Tell us the type of piano and the access at both homes so we can plan it properly.
Are you insured to move valuable items?+
Yes, we are fully insured. For particularly high-value pieces, mention them at your survey so we can discuss cover.
Can you move a single antique or piece of furniture?+
Yes, we do single-item removals as well as full house moves.
Can you dismantle and reassemble furniture?+
Yes. Beds, wardrobes and larger pieces can be dismantled and put back together at the new home.
Should I pack valuable small items myself?+
Jewellery, documents and small high-value items are usually best kept with you. For china, glass and ornaments, our packing service is the safer option.
Can you move a single piano or antique without a full move?+
Yes. Single-item removals are part of what we do. Send photos by WhatsApp and tell us the access at both ends.
What do you need to know about my valuable items?+
What the item is, its approximate size and weight, any fragile parts such as glass or marble, and the route out of the house. Photos help a lot.
Will the same people handle my items throughout?+
We are a family firm and the owners are on moves themselves, so you deal with the same people from survey to delivery.