Best Piano Moving Techniques

Posted on 12/09/2016

Moving house is one thing, but moving a piano is a whole other breed of animal. If you thought that a single object couldn’t be just as hard to move as a whole flat, then you have been living in a dream world. And no, breaking it into pieces and then taking it somewhere else does not count, unless that somewhere is the landfill. It takes some more effort for the piano than any other type of equipment or furniture. It is a very gentle instrument – a heavy one that could break a limb if it falls on you, yes, but a gentle one nevertheless – which requires just as much attention when moving it as it does when playing it. Many things could go wrong, so simply hiring a man with van and waiting for them to do it does not suffice.

What do suffice are the following techniques:

• Do the measurements and plan the path.

You need to know where the piano is going and where it can actually go. Make sure it fits all the doors it has to pass through or you will have to think of more difficult positions to move it with. Measure up the piano, all the doors, and then draw up the path – through which doors, through what kind of flooring, will it have to go up or down stairs? There are plenty of things that could stumble the movers while handling the piano, so be thorough in the description.

• Have the wrapping ready.

The piano is best moved when it’s safely moved. Simply getting the man with a van over and shoving it in the removal van is hardly enough. The piano needs a bit more protection that simply ‘good positioning’. You need to find and use thick blankets on the piano. This will keep it safe from chafing damage and it will keep the corners more protected as well. And do make sure to seal the lids of the piano. Many scratches and other types of damage will be avoided inside the moving van as well while the move is going on.

• Have the proper moving tools.

Ever heard of a dolly? Well, unless you and your friends and / or movers are hefty enough to lift a heavier piano, then you will probably need a four-wheeled moving dolly. Make sure the man and van service has one, or find one yourself. It will make moving the piano across floors and up the deck much, much easier. Use straps to keep it in check as well.

• Have the proper movers.

When you are looking for the man and van service, do make sure you hire people who have actually moved a piano. Experience is often a vital resource for success, so do take care and get the experienced movers to help you with the job. Any novices might make the simplest mistakes which could cost you a pretty big piano – and that is never something you want to lose, right?

• Take your time.

Don’t rush it. The piano takes time to be relocated. If you try and rush that relocation, then you will only get yourself in an unfavourable position. Even the most experienced helpers will have trouble keeping order when you are trying to hasten up the process and make many openings for errors. Careful moving is the key to full success – so move slowly and avoid all mistakes.

Use these techniques and you will have an easier time when you are trying to move the piano. A lot of it will probably also depend on the moving company and the capability of its removal experts, but if they stick to the plan you draw up, everything will go smoothly in theory. Now be responsible and do it as you should in practice as well.