How to Hire a Piano Mover

Moving a piano can be a difficult task, compared to the ease with which other pieces of furniture are moved. You will probably need to hire a piano mover unless you want to try to wrestle that heavy piece of furniture onto a truck yourself.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine where you want the piano to be moved, whether from one room to another, or from one house to another. This decision will help you determine what the mover will have to do when he comes to your home.

2. Decide on the company to hire by asking questions about the experience and equipment used by the movers. Be sure, for yourself, that your piano will be in good hands and safely transported. Consult the yellow pages and web browsers for piano movers. Call instrument retailers and see if they recommend a particular mover.

3. Prepare your piano for the move by making sure the casters roll as they ought to, that the piano is wrapped well to protect it (and your doorways) from damage, and that you allow the mover easy access to the handles on the piano back.

4. Remove the legs if you have a grand piano, a spinet or a console. There are various ways in which legs are connected to your piano, so look carefully and remove screws and tapered wood pieces as needed. The more you prepare the piano before the mover arrives, the better the moving experience will be.

5. Be sure that your piano is on the bottom of the load of furniture to be moved, if there are more things. But also be sure not to allow too many things to be loaded on top of your piano.

Tips & Warnings

• It may seem cheaper to move a piano yourself, by making use of a rental van. But call around to rental companies, as well as moving companies in the area to make sure.
• To wrap your piano well, put quilts completely around it, then wrap it completely in Saran Wrap. If necessary, use rubber bands to hold the wrapping on the piano. The mover may not have heard of this precaution, and it will make his job much easier.
• Be careful on the unloading of the piano. It will roll easier down the ramp than it did going up. Be sure the mover that you hire has enough help to control the piano as it comes off the truck and down the ramp.

Resources

• A listing of piano movers in the fifty United States and Canada.

[nypianos]

on 9/30/2007 don't touch the piano. Let a professional handle the entire move. Make sure that they carry insurance that is well above the value of your piano. Call (800)33-TUNER for a consultation and mover references