Of all the items inside the house that you may need to prepare for an upcoming move, a piano is bound to trigger the highest level of stress and for good reason. Moving a piano is certainly not a job for anyone, especially if you have zero experience relocating heavy, bulky, and sensitive items. On the contrary, it is a particularly complex task that asks for some serious and tedious planning and a helping hand from several individuals. In fact, piano moving is so strenuous that it has carved out its distinct niche part of the moving industry.
This means you can now easily hire a variety of expert piano moving and storage services dispersed all around the country to help you relocate your prizes possession without having to lift a single finger.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best piano moving tips you should consider if this is your first time moving a musical instrument of this size and weight.
What To Do Before Moving A Piano
If you have decided to give moving a piano a try on your own, you should get ready for some serious planning and preparation, as follows:
Get The Necessary Piano Moving Supplies
- Find the necessary moving supplies, tools, and materials you will need to securely move your precious piano hassle-free. Whether you need to relocate a grand piano or an upright model, find a satisfying number of moving blankets for extra cushioning so you can prevent potential scratches during the move. You can also rely on thick towels as piano covering as well as several rolls of tape that can safely keep the blankets in place.
- If you need to relocate an upright piano, you will also need to find a dolly that can hold the weight of the piano.
- A grand piano has a more complex structure and size, which means their relocation might be more complicated and it might ask for some extra supplies, including a piano skid board. Ensure you have plenty of straps and professional screwdrivers to keep the piano in place on the piano board.
- A skid board is plywood covered in padding. In order to move a piano with the help of a skid board, you will need to strap the body of the piano to the board and place the board on the dolly.
- You are also going to need special dollies featuring four rubber wheels and additional bearings for easy turning.
- Get the right kind of strapping needed to hold the piano in place on either the dolly or the piano board. Opt for a strap featuring ratchets for tightening and securing the strapping.
- Choose a special hump strap to make the piano lifting easier when going up on a flight of stairs. The strap can be wrapped around the wrists and passed through the wheels on the piano’s bottom, then lifted off the ground in a gentle manner.
Gather A Team Of Helping Friends
Find a few friends or neighbors willing to throw a helpful hand at you – preferably, at least four helpers – depending on the piano’s size and the complexity of the moving process. Make sure they are either in top physical shape or they have some experience moving musical instruments or heavy items. If possible, see they wear suitable moving clothing including sneakers featuring good traction to prevent physical injuries during the move.
Pull Out Your Measuring Tape
Get ready to measure the staircase, doorway, and hallway. Basically, measure any area around the house where the piano will need to pass through and figure out how smoothly it would be to maneuver the bulky piano and its board throughout both the old and the new properties.
See that all the doors open properly and use special covering such as towels and baby-proof bumpers on the sharp edges of the floors and furniture to keep the piano protected against potential scratching.
How To Move An Upright Piano
To move an upright piano, focus on protecting the keys and pedals with the help of a blanket and plenty of tape. Cover the piano using dedicated moving blankets and put them on the back, front, and sides, then use the take to secure all the blankets, then hoist the piano inside the dolly. The lifting requires help from several people on all sides of the piano.
How To Move A Grand Piano
The top lid of such a piano must be lowered and secured. Use a screwdriver to take off the pedals and legs of the instrument, while ensuring someone is there to prevent the side of the piano from hitting the ground. Wrap the piano’s lid, as well as all the keys and sides using moving blankets, and have them secured with tape. Wrap the pedals and legs using separate blankets and tilt the piano onto the board in a gentle manner, while using straps to secure the piano to the board. Make sure there are several helpers assisting you with pushing the piano to the board so you can prevent any accidental scratching.
Keep in mind you will also need to know how to reassemble the piano at your new house, so you will once again need a team of people to lend you a hand.
Re-tune the piano once the relocation is completed and clean it thoroughly using a damp washcloth. Pianos can weigh anywhere between 300 and 1000 pounds, so make sure to seriously consider hiring a top moving company that can manipulate it with the utmost care and consideration, especially when needing to move a grand piano that weighs around 1,000 pounds. Find local Piano movers near you