What Is The Best Way To Move a Piano?

Pianos are some of the hardest house items to move due to their heavyweight and delicate nature. It is a strenuous and tedious process that requires a lot of planning and extra manpower. What’s more, you need to have certain skills and equipment to ensure you move the piano. The move gets more delicate when there are stairs or narrow hallways involved. Most people prefer to hire professional movers instead of moving it on their own. But, if you want to keep the move as affordable as possible, you might choose to do it yourself.

Before the move, you need to have a clear plan to ensure a successful process. Here are a few things to have in order before D-day.

Get the right equipment

Moving a piano requires special skills and equipment to protect it from damage. The last thing you want on your valuable machine is a scratch or even worse, damage on the keys. You need thick blankets that can help absorb shock and prevent scratches. If you are moving an upright piano, you may also need a dolly that can hold the piano’s weight. Rolls of tape also help to keep the piano intact while you move it. In the case of a grand piano, its unique structure makes the moving process complicated. You may need to get extra supplies to make it easier. These include a piano skid board to do the move, a screwdriver, and straps to keep the piano intact while moving.

Assemble a team to help

The size and design of the piano determine how complex the move will be. It is most likely that you will need as much aid as possible. Once you get the right equipment, find about four friends to help. These friends should have some experience or at least be fit enough to carry such a heavy item. Ensure they have the appropriate wear for the process such as shoes with good traction.

Get hallways, doorways, and staircases measurements

Getting the sizes for all the areas that the piano and its board will go through is important. It helps to assess whether the items can fit. Before starting the move, ensure that all doors are open, any possible obstruction such as kids is out of the way.

Once all the preps are complete, it is time to get into action. There are two different types of pianos; the grand piano, and the upright piano. Both need a special kind of attention while moving. Here is a guide on how to move the two.

Moving a grand piano

According to movers from Torex Moving, a grand piano can be a complex item to move due to its size and structure. Lower the top lid and take the piano pedals and legs off using a screwdriver. While in the process ensure your team is in a position to prevent the piano from hitting the floor. Keep the lid, legs, pedals, and other disassembled parts safe in a thick blanket wrapped in tape. Cover all sides of the piano using the blankets and tape them to stay intact. With your team, place the piano onto the piano board and strap to secure it.

Moving an upright piano

An upright piano requires protection on the pedals and the keys. Ensure you cover all sides of the piano with the blanket and tape them to keep them intact. Have one person on each side of the piano to help in lifting it onto the dolly. Tape it to keep it intact and secure while moving.

Finally, carry the secured piano to the truck for transit to your desired destination. Offload the truck, move the piano to the intended station and unwrap it. Reassemble any disassembled parts, clean them up with a damp cloth and re-tune it for use. During the process, ensure you take the necessary precautions. For instance, when lifting, ensure you bend your knees to avoid back injuries.

Choosing a piano moving company

Hiring a reputable piano moving company will not only protect your piano but will also prevent you from getting hurt. Hiring the right piano movers is not an easy job. Therefore, you must have all the information you need to choose the right movers.

Also, moving a piano requires lots of preparation. Therefore, you need to make sure that your piano movers do the due diligence, which includes measuring the size of your piano, as well as the size of your hallway and doorways before they start moving the piano. Also, take your time to compare the cost of piano moving among different moving companies before making your decision. Please note that piano movers charge on fixed or hourly rates.

Therefore, make sure that you understand the policy the piano movers have in regards to the moving costs. Besides, it’s always advisable to check whether there’s a possibility of hidden costs. Once you find the best piano moving company—one that is guaranteed to deliver professional services, make sure that you sign a contract immediately after hiring the company. The contract that you sign should indicate what needs to be done, the cost, payment methods, as well as the scheduled date.

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