Hi Rob,
I believe that they do not like root disturbance at all and for this reason are very difficult to transplant.

If you really need to move it can you wait until early Spring when it is cooler but just coming into the growing season? It might be easier to dig that large hole that it is going to need at that time of year as well...

good luck.

I spoke to a pro palm grower today and he reckons they are very hard to transplant.
Cheers.

hi we have just had 19 mature (15 years old) Bismarkias transplanted as an avenue down our driveway and it has been 2 weeks and we are holding our breath!
They are incredibly sensitive to move, and we had specialists, the holes they moved into were 2 metres by 2 and 1.6 deep. We are just a bit nervous about quantity of water to give them. We are also digging a channel down the rows so there is no chance of trapped water. Lets hope they survive. The suppliers are very professional and haven't lost one yet.

I planted my 1.5m palm a year ago, would it be safe to dig up and pot up in autumn as we maybe moving?

For Puya, I dont think you would kill it. At that size and only planted a year, its unlikely to have made such a substantial new root system that disturbance would lead to fatality.
Depending on what pot size you had when you planted it and what is available now, I would go from twice to at least 1 & a half the diameter of the thing before planting - you can always work your way in.
Depending on your area you would not be getting much or any growth in autumn so be wary of overwatering it and maybe use seasol to lessen transplant shock. If you lose any leaves hopefully they will be replaced with new fronds in spring and by then it will have a new home?