Moving a piano is a daunting task. It takes considerable manpower and preparation due to its size, shape, fragility, and price. And it is one of the more expensive items to move. Many opt to hire a professional moving company that specializes in moving pianos and other valuable items like antiques and collectibles. It’s not surprising because, given the high price of a quality piano, it’s best to hire professional movers who can transport pianos safely. If you need a team of experts in luxury moving including moving pianos and collectibles, The Padded Wagon is the moving company to talk to.
The cost of hiring movers will be more than worth it. After all, pianos can be considerable investments, so it is only prudent to ensure that it is handled properly and relocated without any damage. Even if you’re planning for a DIY move to save money, you can still call a professional moving company to move specific high-value items.
But if you own a grand piano weighing a thousand pounds, investing in professionals will be the smartest choice. Not only to ensure that the piano is not damaged but because there is risk to the inexperienced mover as well. Only professionals equipped with special equipment and the right training can safely handle heavier pianos. Moreover, if you have steep stairs and narrow hallways, paying more for professional movers will be a better investment for your money than damaging your piano in the process.
If you still decide to move the piano on your own, it’s important to develop a moving plan. Here are some tips to keep your piano safe on moving day.
Buy the Right Moving Supplies and Materials
Just like any move, you’ll want to secure your piano first with the right supplies and materials. Whether it’s an upright piano or a grand piano, you’ll need lots of moving blankets for protection. The last thing you want is a scratch on your instrument worth thousands of dollars. You’ll need several rolls of tape to secure the blankets in place.
Due to their size and shape, pianos are awkward to move. For an upright piano, you’ll need a dolly that can hold the piano’s weight and secure it with straps. To move a grand piano, you’ll need a piano skid board. This board requires additional strapping and padding to keep the piano secure.
Other moving supplies you’ll need include furniture pads, a stair ramp, tie-down straps, and work gloves.
Ask for Help From Friends and Family
Pianos are oddly shaped and large, making them awkward to move. Grand pianos can weigh between 500 pounds to 1,400 pounds so you’ll want to enlist as many helpers as you can. You’ll need at least four people (probably more!) depending on the size of the piano and the complexity of the move. Let your friends and family know that you’ll need their help in moving your piano and be sure to assemble a team of capable individuals. It’s best to enlist friends and family who have experience in moving heavy items and are in great shape. During your move, be sure that everybody is wearing appropriate clothing as well as close-toed sneakers that are slip-resistant.
Measure and Map Out a Path
Before your move, measure all the places in your home that the piano will pass through. This includes doorways, staircases, and hallways. You should also measure the piano’s height, width, and depth to assess how you can maneuver the piano and piano skid board through your home. Be sure that all of those doors in your home are open and remove any items in the way that could potentially hit the piano. You can also place baby-proof bumpers or extra towels to cover the sharp edges of the doorway.
If your piano won’t pass through the doorways, you might have to remove doors off their jambs to give you more clearance space. If there are stairs involved, use a ramp to move the piano down the stairs.
Moving the Upright Piano
Moving an upright piano is slightly more manageable because it’s not as large as a grand piano. To keep it safe, protect the keys and pedals by covering them with a blanket and use plenty of tape to secure them in place. Next, cover the entire piano with moving blankets and tape to secure.
Once the piano is completely secured and padded with blankets, your team can then lift the piano onto an upright piano dolly. Remind your team to square down, bending at the hips and knees only to prevent hurting their backs. Then, move the piano to the truck.
Moving the Grand Piano
Depending on the size of the grand piano, you may need more helpers as it requires more effort. First, you’ll want to lower and secure the top lid. Then, remove the piano’s pedals and legs and wrap them in separate moving blankets. Next, wrap the rest of the piano including the lid, keys, and sides with moving blankets and secure with packing tape.
Once the piano is completely secured, gently lift the instrument onto a piano board with the help of your team. Then, secure the piano onto the board with straps and push it together with your team to transport it to the truck.
Need Professional Help to Move Your Piano?
Not all movers are capable of moving pianos. This is why piano moving has its own niche in the moving industry. Plus, pianos can be considerable investments. Heirloom pianos have significant sentimental value, so why risk damaging your piano by going DIY when hiring experts can reduce the risk of damaging the piano (not to mention it can reduce the risk of injuries sustained during the moving attempts!) Hiring movers with piano moving expertise is the most prudent choice!
If you need professional help to move your piano, reach out to The Padded Wagon. We have a team of moving specialists that move high-value items including pianos, fine art, and antiques. Contact us to get a free estimate or book your move online!