The thought of moving a piano can be a major headache if you don't have the knowledge or experience of moving pianos. If the thought "It's not that heavy" has crossed your mind then more likely it probably is. If you happen to drop or break a piano, a replacement or repairs could cost you thousands.
Pianos are large and awkwardly shaped which makes for packing extremely tough and time consuming for residential moves. Save yourself time and money by hiring a professional piano mover to handle the job. If you're serious about moving your piano right, it's best to go with a professional piano mover.
Finding the Right Piano Mover
Whether you are just moving a piano or an entire home, finding the right mover shouldn't be any different. Never rush in to picking a piano mover because it could possibly end up being your worst nightmare. Here are some tips for finding the right piano mover:
- Be sure to ask prospective moving companies about their insurance coverage. In the vast majority of cases, the amount of insurance they carry will be more than enough to cover your piano. If it doesn't, or if you'd like additional coverage, contact your homeowner's insurance agent and ask about arranging for a rider to your policy that would insure the piano while it's being shipped.
- Occasionally, piano movers may attempt to "keyboard" a piano in order to move it: this entails removing the keyboard so that the piano can fit through tight spots. Let your mover know prior to the move that you don't want this done.
- Some piano movers won't come to your home. Make sure the piano mover you select will provide door to door service.
- As the potential mover where the piano will be placed during the move. Make sure movers place it somewhere where it won't be subject to major shifts in movement or temperature. Even minor warping, caused by small temperature changes, can affect a piano's sound. Keep the piano away from heating ducts, windows and doors to avoid destroying the piano.
- Find out if the movers truck comes with climate control, trailers, rail-lift gates, and air-ride.
- Make sure to give movers very specific instructions on how and where to move the piano safely.
The right professional piano mover will have special tools for the job; like a piano dolly, a heavy duty handcart that can support a piano's weight and a piano board that can ease big loads down stairs with minimum turbulence.
Securing Your Piano
No matter whom you select to move your piano, the most important part of moving a piano is packing it. Mistakes happen all the time yet they need to be minimal. If you plan on packing the piano yourself, here are some tips to make sure you pack it securely.
- Wrapping the piano in a series of blankets and pads so that the surface of the piano isn't scuffed or gouged (refinishing a piano can be almost as expensive as replacing it).
- Piano's are delicate, internal moving parts will need to be secured as well. Making sure the piano is moved in a way that avoids damaging bumps and scrapes is a piano mover's second most important task.
- Before you start moving the piano make sure the lid is down and locked. Also make sure that there are no obstacles along your planned move route.
- If you're moving the piano outside, wrap it in plastic so as to prevent any potential water damage.
Before Moving Your Piano
- Make sure the place you're moving too can even fit a piano. What would happen if you moved your piano to your new house and it didn't fit in any corner of any room? So to reduce a possible migraine, check the measurements of your piano and cross reference them with the measurements of the room you plan to have your piano in.
- Make sure your piano is accessible from all sides. Have you ever tried to move a piano before? If you have, then you know it's easiest if you can push, pull, or lift the piano from any angle.
Moving a piano is something you won't be able to do on your own. Find the right piano mover through 123Movers.com full directory of residential movers who are qualified to handle your job.