Moving a piano is no easy feat even for professional piano movers. Pianos are usually very expensive, delicate, and very important to you or other members of your family. Not to mention that they're also bulky, oddly-shaped, and heavier than you think. That said, if you can hire professional movers with piano moving experience, it's well worth your time.
If that's not possible and you want to take on moving a piano on your own, more power to you and good luck. When it comes down to how to move a piano, you're going to need help and special equipment to get the job done. Here are some tips for moving a piano on your own!
Ask your friends or family for some help. Pianos are far too heavy for one person. In an ideal moving situation, you will need 4-5 people to actually lift the piano, not to mention a couple of extra people to help you with the necessary equipment (a dolly, heavy-duty furniture straps, and blankets). Also, make sure you get a moving truck with a ramp, if possible. Getting everyone on board with each step of the move is extremely important. Everyone involved should know the plan in advance so everything goes as smoothly as possible.
It's definitely in your (and your piano's) interest to invest in a moving truck with a ramp. If your truck has a ramp, it's easy to wheel your piano (on a dolly) right into the moving truck. Once it's on the truck, make sure the piano is attached to the moving truck to keep jostling to a minimum. Ideally, it will be one of the first things loaded onto the truck and one of the first things unloaded from the truck since pianos are delicate and susceptible to their surroundings. You want to make sure it goes inside early so that it isn't damaged by any weather elements.
Whenever you move a piano you should plan to get it tuned shortly after its arrival in its new home. It will have encountered different levels of humidity, so it's likely that your piano will slide out of tune during transit.
Take the time to prepare for a safe relocation of your piano. Don't hesitate to ask for professional advice about how to move a piano from movers in your area, but be forewarned – moving a piano is never as simple as it sounds. Following these steps and taking your time will help ensure that your piano arrives at its new home in a playable condition.
Related articles: