Moving a Heavy Safe: What to Know Before You Try (and Why You Should Probably Hire Professionals)

Moving house can be exhausting enough, but when you add a heavy safe into the mix, things get serious.

Safes are designed to be incredibly heavy, awkward to handle, and often impossible to move without specialized tools and equipment.

Whether it’s a gun safe, jewelry safe, or fireproof safe, relocating it requires careful planning, the right equipment, and usually, professional help.

Why Moving a Safe Is So Difficult

Safes are built for one thing: security. That means thick steel walls, reinforced locking mechanisms, and dense fireproof materials.

The average home safe can weigh anywhere from 150 to over 1,500 pounds (68–680 kg), while commercial or gun safes are often over 2,000 pounds (900+ kg).

But it is not just the weight that makes a safe tricky and potentially dangerous to move:

• Extreme weight makes it easy to lose control, even on flat surfaces.
• Awkward size and balance make it hard to maneuver through doors and stairs.
• Injury risk is high; backs, fingers, and toes are all vulnerable.
• Property damage can occur from dropped safes, gouged floors, or scraped walls.

Even if you’re physically able and have help, DIY safe moving can be dangerous and expensive if things go wrong.

You may also like to read: Hiring Same-Day Movers. We commonly hear from people who have tried and failed to move a safe on their own or with friends and now need the urgent help of a same-day safe mover. In this guide, we explain the best way to hire a mover at the last moment and avoid being scammed. 

Things to Consider Before Moving a Safe

Before you start, ask yourself the following:

1. How heavy is the safe?
   Check your safe’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the weight. This determines the type of dolly, straps, and manpower needed.
2. Where is it located?
   Is it in a basement, upstairs, or in a hard-to-get-to get to place? Stairs and narrow hallways significantly increase difficulty and risk.
3. What’s the path to the moving truck?
   You’ll need a clear, obstacle-free route wide enough to handle the safe and moving equipment.
4. Do you have the right manpower?
   Safes over 300 pounds typically require at least three or four strong people, ideally with experience handling heavy objects.
5. Is it worth the risk?
   If your safe weighs more than 500 pounds or needs to be moved up or down stairs, call professional safe movers. They have the right tools and training to do it safely.
6. Should you leave the safe behind?                                                                         It may well be that it makes financial sense to leave the safe behind. If it costs more to relocate it than it would cost to replace it, then it makes little sense to go through the stress, hardship, and cost of moving it.

You may also like to read: Common Home Moving Injuries. Moving a safe is not for the fainthearted and often ends in injury. In this guide, we look at common moving day injuries and how to avoid them.

How to Prepare a Safe for Moving

Proper preparation is key to a smooth, safe move.

1. Empty the Contents

Remove all valuables, firearms, documents, or items inside the safe.
Not only does this make it lighter, but it also protects your possessions from damage or loss.

2. Secure the Door

Lock the safe door shut to prevent it from swinging open during transport, which can cause injuries.
For extra safety, wrap the entire safe with moving blankets and stretch wrap to protect its finish.

3. Measure and Plan Your Route

Measure the safe, doorways, and hallways.
If the safe doesn’t fit easily along the route, you may need to remove doors or trim temporarily.

4. Protect Floors and Walls

Lay down hardboard sheets, furniture sliders, or moving blankets to prevent the floor from scratches and dents.
Use corner guards or thick cardboard to protect walls and doorframes from scrapes.

5. Clear the Path to the Truck

Make sure stairs, hallways, and the driveway are clear of tripping hazards.

You may also like to read: How to Protect Floors. Moving a heavy safe incorrectly often leads to floor damage, especially if they are not well protected. In this guide, we explain how to properly protect your floors during a home move.

Equipment You’ll Need to Move a Heavy Safe

If you’re attempting a move yourself (recommended for small safes and only if you are sure of your physical ability to move it safely), you’ll need specialized gear:

• Heavy-duty appliance dolly or safe dolly (rated for at least 1,000+ lbs)
• Moving straps or ratchet straps for secure handling
• Furniture sliders to protect floors
• Thick moving blankets and stretch wrap
• Work gloves and steel-toe shoes
• Ramp (if moving into a truck)

Never try to move a safe with standard hand trucks, as they’re not designed to handle the weight safely.

Any dollies, furniture sliders, or tail-lifts that you use must be rated for the weight that you intend to move.

You may also like to read: Essential Moving Day Equipment. In this guide, we suggest the tools and equipment that you should have available on moving day.

Steps for Moving a Heavy Safe

1. Tilt and secure the safe on the dolly using straps.
2. Carefully wheel it along the planned path, keeping it balanced and upright.
3. Use ramps for steps — never try to lift it manually.
4. Keep one person guiding and two stabilizing at all times.
5. Load it into the truck using a hydraulic lift gate if possible. (Ensure that the lift is rated strong enough to withstand the weight of the safe)

You may also like to read: How to Safely Lift. In this guide, we share some safe lifting techniques to help prevent injuries on moving day.

How Much Does Moving a Safe Cost?

The average cost to move a safe depends on its size, weight, and the distance it is being moved.

Safe Type	Weight Range	Average Cost (Local Move)
Small Home Safe	100–300 lbs	$150 – $250
Mid-Size Safe	300–700 lbs	$250 – $450
Large Gun Safe	700–1,200 lbs	$400 – $750
Oversized or Floor Safe	1,200+ lbs	$600 – $1,000+

If stairs, long-carry, or special rigging are required, expect additional fees.

You may also like to read: Additional Mover Charges. In this guide, we reveal the ways that movers can fairly and legitimately increase the final cost of your move and how you can avoid those charges.

Why Hiring Professional Safe Movers Makes Sense

Moving a safe is not a DIY project that you should take on without some serious thought first.

Professional movers who specialize in safes offer several advantages:

Specialized Equipment: Hydraulic dollies, stair climbers, and lift gates designed for ultra-heavy items.
Experienced Teams: They know how to navigate tricky spaces without injury or damage.
Insurance Coverage: If an accident happens, you’re protected.
Time Savings: A professional crew can often complete the move in under an hour.
Peace of Mind: No strained backs, smashed floors, or broken safes.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Moving Company. This is a step-by-step guide on how to pick a reliable and reputable moving company.

Bonus Safe Moving Tips

• Check the safe’s manufacturer’s warranty — moving it yourself might void it.
• Never attempt to move a safe up or down stairs without professionals.
• If your safe is bolted down, have a professional unbolt and reinstall it.
• Consider the new location — make sure the floor can handle the safe’s weight.

Moving a heavy safe isn’t just about muscle; it’s about strategy, safety, and the right equipment.

Unless your safe is lightweight and easy to access, the best plan of action is to hire professional safe movers.

They’ll handle the heavy lifting, protect your property, and ensure your safe arrives in perfect condition, and that peace of mind and ease is worth its weight in gold.

Good luck with your move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move cheaper, easier, and safer.