--- title: How to Move a Chandelier Without Breaking It url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-chandelier/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to move a chandelier # How to move a chandelier Shut off the breaker, photograph every wire, and take the fixture down in four stages: bulbs and shades, crystals, arms, then the body, each wrapped on its own. A chandelier packed in its own rigid box with the crystals bagged separately arrives intact, and the rehang belongs to a licensed electrician. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## How to take down and pack a chandelier - Cut the power Switch off the wall switch and the breaker, then test the wires. - Photograph the fixture Shoot every angle and each crystal tier before anything comes off. - Remove bulbs and crystals Bag the crystals from each tier separately and label the bags. - Remove arms and lower the body Have an electrician disconnect the wiring while a second person supports the body. - Box each group Wrap arms, body and hardware, cushion the box on all sides and mark it fragile. A chandelier combines glass, thin metal arms, a chain and live wiring, which is why it breaks when it is wrapped as one lump in a blanket. The answer is to take it apart the way it was built, keep each group of parts together, and give the fixture its own box. This guide covers the order of work for a crystal or glass chandelier, and the points where an electrician or a crate makes sense. ## Turn off the power first Switch off the wall switch and then the breaker for that circuit. A wall switch alone can leave the wires live at the fixture. If you are not sure which breaker feeds the room, test the wires with a voltage tester before you touch them. Disconnecting and hanging a fixture is electrical work. Nevada licenses electrical contractors, and the Nevada State Contractors Board lets you check a license online. Plan the removal and the rehang with a licensed electrician if the fixture hangs from a high ceiling or has a heavy canopy. ## Photograph before you disassemble Take pictures of the whole fixture from several angles, and of each tier of crystals before it comes apart. Film a short video turning slowly around the fixture if you can. The photos become the instruction sheet at the new home, when you are standing on a ladder trying to remember how the strands were draped. ## Take it apart in stages - Remove bulbs and any shades or candle covers. Pack bulbs in their original sleeves if you still have them. - Take off hanging crystals and prisms. Put the crystals from each arm or tier in their own small bag, and label the bag with the tier. - Remove the arms if the design allows it, and wrap each arm in paper before it goes in the box. - Lower the body, supported from below by a second person, once the electrician has disconnected the wires from the canopy. - Wrap the chain, canopy and mounting hardware together, and tape the bag to the box so the hardware stays with the fixture. ## Box the fixture Use a sturdy box that leaves a few inches of soft padding on every side, and fill the empty space with crumpled packing paper so nothing shifts. Place the body in the middle, the arms along the sides, and the bagged crystals in a separate smaller box that sits on top. Mark the outside of every box fragile and write which side is up. For a large or valuable fixture, a purpose-built crate beats a carton. O'Brien's offers [custom crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) for glass and antiques, and [professional packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) covers the wrapping if you would rather not do it yourself. ## Rehang with care Confirm that the ceiling box at the new home is rated for the weight of the fixture. A heavy chandelier may need a brace in the ceiling, which is another reason to bring in a licensed electrician. Reassemble the fixture on the floor on a blanket before it goes up, using your photos as the guide, then lift the body and reattach the chain and canopy. Last, hang the crystals tier by tier. Working from the bottom up is easiest on a stepladder with a helper handing the pieces up. ## List it on the inventory A chandelier is a fragile, often valuable item. Put it on the written inventory with a short description and its photos, and read [how valuation coverage works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/valuation-coverage/) so you know what protects it in transit. The full process is in the federal rules at 49 CFR Part 375. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Nevada State Contractors Board](https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375 (household goods moves)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Custom crating for art, glass, antiques and machinery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [Moving antiques safely](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-antiques/) - [Valuation coverage: released value vs full value protection](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/valuation-coverage/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving antiques safely](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-antiques/) - [How gun safes are moved (and what to ask)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-move-a-gun-safe/) - [Shipping a car when you move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/shipping-a-car-when-you-move/) - [Moving a wine collection](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-wine/) - [Moving with plants (and state plant rules)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-plants/) - [Moving with cats](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-cats/) - [Moving with dogs](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-dogs/) - [Moving with fish](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-fish/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Do I need an electrician to take down a chandelier? Disconnecting the wires is electrical work. A licensed electrician is the safe choice, especially for a heavy fixture or a high ceiling. ### Should I leave crystals on the arms? Take them off and bag them by tier. Crystals knocking against each other is a common cause of chips. ### Can a chandelier be moved in a crate? Yes. A rigid crate sized to the fixture gives strong protection and can be built for large or valuable pieces. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. J Judy H. April 7, 2026 I was so satisfied and impressed with O'Brien. My move went perfectly. If I have another move, it will be O'Brien for sure!! ### Owner's reply WE ARE THRILLED TO HEAR THE MOVE WENT SO WELL!!!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to let us know. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070