Moving a Piano
Pianos: Uprights, Baby Grands, Grands & More
Do It Yourself Piano Moving Between Rooms
If you are moving a piano from one room to another on the same floor of your house,
you probably do not need to hire a professional mover. This is not to say that this
kind of piano moving is easy-it isn't. Do it yourself piano moving without great
care could lead to damage to your piano, your floors, and your walls!
Following a few simple piano moving tips will protect your instrument and your home:
Moving a Piano Requires Padding
Wrap your piano in blankets or other padding before you begin moving the piano.
This will solve two problems. The padding will protect the piano's surface from
scratching or other damage during the move and it will also protect any surfaces
in your home from the piano. While damage to your walls may be annoying, damage
to your piano's surface can be both a hassle and expensive.
Don't be fooled by those wheels
Even though your piano has wheels, they are not meant for moving. Wheels on most
pianos are largely ornamental and are only intended for small adjustments. If possible,
lift the piano off the ground when moving.
Take it Slow with Piano Moving
Don't rush during the piano moving process. You paid thousands of dollars for the
instrument. Could it hurt to take thirty extra minutes to make sure you get it to
its destination safely? If you have to lift your piano, you'll want to make sure
to take plenty of breaks. If you are rolling your piano on its wheels, you will
still want to go slow to be sure you do not run into any walls or scratch the floors.
Plan Your Piano Moving
You'll want to plan the piano move before you begin. The first thing to check is
if the room where you'll be placing the piano is large enough for the piano. You
wouldn't want to spend a couple hours moving your piano only to find out that you
have to turn around because you don't have enough room.
You should also look for any problem areas between where your piano is and where
you want it to be. Are there narrow doorways that may be too narrow for your piano?
Or is there a step or two where you'll have to lift the piano? Discussing these
spots with your moving partners will save you headaches later and will help you
pick the most effective path.
Moving a piano is like moving any other large item; you will want to take your time
and have others help you. Moving a piano is different because a piano is a highly
tuned instrument that does not take bumps lightly. If you decide to move your piano
around your house without hiring a professional, you should be sure to plan for
lots of time and lots of help.