Upright pianos are extremely heavy. Having enough manpower is essential to move them successfully.
Start with a team of four people, two bearing the weight and two guiding the movement to the truck or van. Each person should be equipped with a lifting strap. When lifting, always be sure to start from a squatting position. For professional help, contact Charleston Upright Piano Moving.
Whether you’re moving it from one room to another in your home, across town, or even to storage for a while, a piano is a large, heavy, and complicated item that requires special care. Fortunately, with the right planning and preparation, you can safely move your upright piano by yourself or hire a professional company to do the work for you.
The first step is to get the proper equipment. You’ll need a furniture dolly (or two, depending on how large your piano is) as well as straps and a blanket. Ideally, you should also have at least three or four other helpers to assist with the move. Not only will this make the job lighter, but it will also reduce the likelihood of someone misjudging the weight and getting seriously injured.
It’s also important to map out the path you’ll be taking and clear it of any impediments. This is especially true if you’re going up or down stairs; you’ll need to open doors and remove any items that could be in the way. You should also lay floor protection to protect your hardwood or carpeting from scratches and stains during the move.
Once you’ve secured the necessary equipment, it’s time to start preparing the piano for transport. Begin by covering the keys and pedals with a blanket and taping them down so they don’t come off during transport. Next, wrap the piano in furniture blankets until it’s completely covered. Secure the blankets with tape and/or shrink wrap to prevent them from coming undone during transport.
Lastly, be sure to disassemble the piano by removing the legs and wrapping them in blankets separately. This will make it much easier to transport the piano through doorways and down stairs.
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to handle the move for you, be sure to ask about their process and equipment. Look for a company that offers a consultation to discuss your needs and provide an estimate, as well as a crew that’s experienced in handling large and delicate items like pianos. You should also be sure that they have a truck or trailer large enough to transport your piano.
Get the Right Equipment
Moving a piano requires special equipment, including a ramp to get the piano into a truck or van, and specialized dollies designed to support the instrument’s weight. It’s also important to have plenty of help. At least four people are needed to safely and properly move an upright piano. Make sure the movers are physically capable of handling the heavy weight, have no existing injuries or medical conditions and have the stamina to move the instrument over long distances.
It’s also a good idea to rent or buy a pair of heavy-duty straps for each mover. These will help reduce strain on shoulders and backs. Having the proper gear will also keep the piano from being damaged during transit.
Before you move the piano, remove the music rack and wrap it in a moving blanket. Tape the edges of the blanket to prevent it from slipping off while you are lifting the piano. You should also remove the metal wheels that are on the ends of the piano legs. These are decorative and serve no purpose, and they can gouge carpeting and hardwood floors if pushed during the move.
When preparing to lift the piano, place one person at each end of the dolly. Have them start from a squatting position and do a “1-2-3” count as they lift the piano onto the dolly. This will help them avoid back strain and increase their lifting strength. Once the piano is on the dolly, it’s important to secure it with the specialized straps you have purchased or rented.
If you plan on moving your piano over a long distance, be sure to wrap it in protective blankets and use a tarp to cover it during transport. A tarp will also protect the piano from weather elements such as rain or snow, which can damage the delicate instrument. You should also consider hiring professional piano movers for long-distance moves. These professionals are trained to handle and protect the instruments they move, and they can ensure that your piano will arrive at its new home in good condition.
Make Sure It’s Secured
A piano is not a small or lightweight piece of equipment. It is also very delicate, requiring proper handling and care during transport to avoid damage. Whether you’re moving a small spinet piano from one room to another, or a larger grand piano across the country, it’s important to take extra steps to safeguard your investment and ensure its safety.
The first step is to make sure your piano is properly secured to the moving equipment. This includes a sturdy piano dolly that can support the weight and dimensions of your instrument, as well as a tarp to protect it from rain and extreme heat during the move. Additionally, you will want to have a basic first aid kit for any injuries that might occur during the move, and several pieces of tape (Scotch blue painter’s or carpet tape) and foam padding to secure blankets and other protective materials during the move without leaving sticky residue behind.
Next, you will need to recruit a team of people who can assist with the move. An upright piano is too large to be lifted and transported by a single person, so you’ll want at least two people to help lift the piano, and an additional two people to guide the process. In addition, be sure to use proper lifting techniques and don’t attempt to move the piano by yourself if you’re unsure you can handle it safely.
Once you have the right equipment and a team in place, it’s time to map out your route and remove any obstacles that might hinder the movement of the piano. This means clearing the path from its current location to your truck or trailer and removing furniture, boxes, and other items that could get in the way during transport. It’s a good idea to keep kids and pets away from the area as well.
Long distance moving is challenging, and moving a piano is even more difficult. It’s important to hire a professional who is experienced with long distance piano moves and can safely navigate your piano through tight passageways, flights of stairs, and other structural obstacles along the way. Make sure to check online reviews, recommendations from friends and family, and verify the credentials of your moving company before hiring them.
Hire Professionals
Pianos are very large, delicate instruments that require serious manpower to move. The best way to make sure that your piano makes it to its new home without being damaged is to hire a professional. They will have the proper equipment, and they’ll also know how to use it properly. This will ensure that everyone stays safe throughout the moving process.
If you decide to take on the task of moving an upright piano yourself, it is crucial that you have all the necessary supplies and manpower. You’ll need to map out your route ahead of time, and then measure all doorways, staircases, and hallways to ensure that the piano will fit. It may be necessary to remove some doors or open them wide to allow for sufficient clearance. You’ll also need to clear pathways and remove any tripping hazards, such as rugs or furniture. Make sure that you don’t wear long necklaces or bracelets, and avoid wearing excessively baggy clothing that could get stuck in small spaces while you’re moving.
Once you’ve got your plan in place, you’ll need to assemble a team of at least four strong helpers. Choose people who are physically capable of handling the weight of a piano and don’t have any existing injuries. It’s a good idea to have at least one person on each end of the piano, so that you can lift together and prevent back strain. When lifting, have the movers start from a squatting position to minimize the strain on their backs and knees.
Once the piano is loaded onto a dolly, slowly move it along your pre-planned route. Be sure to take the piano off of the dolly if you need to negotiate stairs. Once you reach your new home, place the piano in its final destination. Be sure to avoid placing it close to fireplaces, vents, or windows, as these elements can cause the instrument to become warped and out of tune. Once the piano is securely placed, it’s a good idea to have it professionally tuned. This will ensure that it is in perfect working order when you start playing.