- Max Kuehn
If you need to transport a piano but don’t know-how, this article will help. Fidlar will show you how to move a piano without damaging it or yourself. There are a few things you need to take into account. The first is the size and weight of the piano. If you have a large or grand piano, you may need to hire professional movers. The second is the type of piano you have. Upright pianos are the easiest to move, followed by spinet pianos. Grand pianos are the most difficult to move. The third is the destination. Read on for details!
Before You Move a Piano
Locate the necessary moving supplies and materials.
To begin, double-check that you have all of the necessary gear and materials to move the piano safely and securely. Both an upright and a grand piano will require many moving blankets for safety.
After all, the last thing you want to happen to your priceless instrument is a scratch (or worse!). You can also cover the piano with heavy towels or blankets. To keep the blankets in place, you’ll need several rolls of tape. A dolly capable of supporting the weight of an upright piano is also required when moving it.
Moving blankets are available at Walmart, Harbor Freight, Lowe’s, and Home Depot, among other locations. You can also order them from Amazon, Uboxes, US Cargo Control, and Grainger online. If you prefer, U-Haul, Budget Truck Rental, and Penske Truck Rental all rent moving blankets. Most moving blanket rental companies also rent dollies.
Grand pianos are more difficult to travel due to their size and structure, requiring more supplies. We recommend choosing the right size piano board (also known as a piano skid board) for your move in addition to moving blankets. You’ll also need straps and a screwdriver to keep your piano in place on a skid board.
A piano skid board can be rented for $20 to $25 per day or $60 for a week from local moving supply firms. You can also buy a skid board from a moving supply firm like US Cargo Control, but it will be more expensive. A basic piano skid board will cost between $175 and $200. If you require one for a huge grand piano, the cost can easily exceed $600!
Enlist as many helpers as you can.
We advocate assembling a strong team of helpers once you have your things in order. Depending on the size of the piano and the difficulty of the move, you’ll need at least four people – possibly more.
It’s preferable to solicit the help of friends, family, and neighbors who have moved big objects before and are in reasonably excellent shape. Ensure they’re all dressed appropriately for movement and wearing shoes with sufficient traction.
If you don’t want to bribe your friends and family with pizza, you can hire hourly moving labor instead. Companies like HireAHelper and Bellhop will perform the hard lifting for you in other circumstances.
Whether they will assist you in loading and unloading your piano is determined by local franchise policies, the weight of your piano, the presence of stairs, and other criteria. Keep in mind that the staff they send out is unlikely to have moved pianos before and may cause harm to your piano or home.
Hiring them by the hour will save you money over employing professional piano movers.
Take measurements of doors, stairwells, and hallways.
You should measure any area in your home where the piano will pass through before moving it to ensure that it will fit. Begin by taking measurements of the piano and the piano skid board. Then, carefully measure all doorways, staircases, and hallways to see how easily the piano and piano board will fit through them.
Before moving it, ensure all doors are open, floors are well secured, and any furniture that could hit the piano is removed. If you’re worried about the piano nicking a corner or getting scratched, use baby-proof bumpers or additional towels to cover any rough edges of the doorway.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for children and pets. Before lifting, put your pets in a container or lock them in a room. Young children should be watched by an adult who is not involved in the relocation.
Alternatively, arrange a play date for them at a different place. As your party moves a 500-pound piano through the house and to the moving truck, the last thing you want to do is trip over a cat or a child.
How To Haul A Piano
Step 1: Take into account specialized moving services.
Consider hiring a specialized moving service to undertake the heavy lifting to save time and effort while relocating a piano. Moving a piano is a difficult task. “How much does an upright piano weigh?” you might wonder.
The weight of an upright piano can range from 300 pounds to 800 pounds. The weight of a grand piano can be as much as 1,400 pounds. Professional movers will have the equipment needed to carry a piano and the knowledge of how to plan an effective route.
They’ll also know how to lift, move, and store the musical instrument safely and efficiently. It’s recommended to get a quote from a reputable moving service to evaluate if hiring a specialty moving company is worth the price of professional piano mover.
Step 2: Take measurements of all doorways, stairwells, and corridors.
When moving on your own, organizing the details of the move ahead of time will make the process go more smoothly. The last thing you want to do is solicit assistance, get the appropriate equipment, and raise the big object to discover that it won’t go through your doorway.
Plan you’re itinerary and think about which rooms the piano will have to pass through. Take measurements of the piano and write them down. Then, to make sure there is enough clearance, measure doorways, hallways, and staircases.
Doors may need to be removed from their hinges. Using these measurements, you may establish how the piano should be angled to fit through your home.
Step 3: Gather moving goods and assistance.
To move a piano properly and safely, at least four persons are required, whether a baby grand piano or an upright. Inquire of friends or family members you believe are physically capable of moving a big thing and are healthy.
Purchase, hire or borrow heavy-duty straps to relieve the strain on you and your fellow movers while also providing additional support for the piano. A dolly or piano board, which may help lift a piano into a truck or van, is another piece of equipment you’ll need to move a piano. Make sure the dolly can support the weight of the piano.
Step 4: Keep it safe and secure.
To avoid harm to the piano, it must be protected and secured. Close and lock the keyboard lid and fasten the piano top to protect the keys. Disassemble the piano legs with a screwdriver if possible. As the legs come off, make sure your moving crew is holding the piano so it can be carefully dropped to the ground.
Protect it with moving blankets or other protective coverings. Make sure the room’s corners are covered to avoid leaving markings on the walls. Using packing tape or bungee cords, secure the moving blankets. The blanket or padding should be thick enough to prevent scratches or dents without adding too much bulk or weight.
Step 5: Move the piano using a dolly or a piano board.
Moving an upright piano may usually be accomplished using moving straps and a dolly. However, if you’re wondering how to move a baby grand piano, you’ll need a piano board. A piano board is a piece of hardwood with spaces for movable straps on each side. Move the piano body onto the piano board and attach it with the straps.
Once there are no more steps to navigate, park the dolly towards the end of your moving path and get ready to move. Always lift the piano jointly and speak with your moving crew. An extra person to direct the group down any stairs or through tight tunnels may benefit.
Once the piano is out of the house, the team may load it onto the dolly and roll it onto the ramp, which will be loaded into the moving truck or van. Make sure it is positioned carefully in the truck; you may want to have an extra moving blanket on hand for added protection.
Step 6: Place the piano in its new location and reassemble any broken parts.
You’ll have to practically reverse the moving-out process to get the piano into its new house. Determine the piano’s location and, as previously, measure the entrances, hallways, and stairwells through which it will pass.
Slide the piano onto the dolly and roll it as far as possible before having your moving crew bring it into the house. Remove the moving blankets, reassemble any legs you may have removed, and inspect for damage. You won’t want to play the piano immediately because it will need tuning, and an untuned piano will sound terrible.
You’ll be able to transfer your piano as safely as possible if you follow the procedures above. Remember that this type of operation necessitates all hands on deck and the use of specialized equipment.
Moving a piano with fewer than four persons or utilizing moving straps that aren’t designed for a piano’s weight is a bad idea. It’s preferable to hire a professional piano moving company with the right tools and expertise to move your piano without causing harm or damage safely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVGGVCre6kw
What Not To Do When Transporting A Piano
You now know how to move a piano properly and safely. Here are some common blunders to avoid:
Remember that pianos are hefty.
Putting the piano on a scale to determine the size of the task isn’t an option. So, how do you figure out how much the piano weighs because that weight informs your moving strategy as you cross tight hallways, curves, doorways, and, worst of all, stairs?
The weight of a piano varies substantially depending on the model. Grand piano can weigh anywhere from 1,400 pounds to 500 pounds. When it comes to upright models, those less than 48 inches tall can weigh as little as 300 pounds. A piano that is 48 inches tall or larger can weigh up to 800 pounds.
Upright
- 496 Pounds Young Chang 121
- 480 pound Steinway & Sons Model 1098
- 582 Pounds Bösendorfer 130
- 542 pound Baldwin BH-122
- 490 pound Yamaha P22
- 600 pound Steinway & Sons Model K-52
- 500 Pounds Kawai K300
- BB: 1,090 Pounds Mason & Hamlin Artist Grand Piano
- 990 pound Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano
- 540 pound Steinway Model S
- 705 pound Yamaha C3 Studio
- 671 pound Young Chang Y185
- Hamlin & Mason 1 399 Pounds CC
- 760 pound Steinway & Sons Model B
Don’t skimp on assistance.
You’ll need a lot of aid because the weights are pretty heavy. Even the tiniest upright piano will require at least three adults to transport it from one location to another properly. Keep in mind that dropping a piano has serious implications.
Do not attempt to lift the piano without assistance.
Make sure you have the proper gear and protection. Not all dollies are made equal. A four-wheel piano dolly, custom-made piano padding, and specific piano straps set to the proper tension are required.
Don’t rely on the casters on your piano (if it has them).
They’re not designed to roll long distances and deteriorate with time. Those rollers might also get stuck. This can result in ripped carpet and significant scrapes on the floor.
Don’t move too quickly.
Moving pianos is difficult and should not be attempted in haste. Moving too quickly can lead to mistakes that injure you, your coworkers, floors, walls, and others.
FAQs
Is It Possible To Move A Piano While Lying Down?
On the other hand, bumping or dropping the piano may cause harm. By opening the front panels of the piano, you may also check for any lost pins, pencils, or other tiny things. A piano has around 1000 moving parts, which can cause piano damage if trapped in the incorrect place.
What Is The Weight Of An Upright, Baby Grand, Or Grand Piano?
So you’re aware of the situation:
- The uprights weigh around 500 pounds.
- Grandchildren weigh between 500 and 800 pounds.
- Grands weigh around 1000 pounds.
Is It Possible To Transport A Piano In A Pick-Up Truck Or A U-Haul?
A U-Haul-type moving truck can safely transport a piano, while a pick-up is more dangerous. The piano may not be as secure in the pick-up truck, and it may be bouncier if it has terrible suspension.
Furthermore, getting the piano up to the tailgate level will be difficult; a ramp placed on the tailgate may not be robust enough to sustain the weight of the piano and the movers.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Piano?
It usually costs between $150 and $550. The cost of living in your neighborhood, transportation distance, the type of piano (grand, baby grand, upright), the number of flights of stairs involved in the transfer, and other considerations. You’ll also have to pay gratuities.
Hiring a piano mover is a smart option for complex transfers involving stairwells and when relocating an expensive piano, particularly the grand piano. One advantage of using a moving company is that they frequently provide insurance.
More information on the cost of moving a piano may be found here.
Is It Safe To Move A Piano?
No. Moving a piano is only dangerous if it is banged or dropped. It can throw the tune off, but no significant harm should occur as long as you stay cautious.
However, I recently heard of a piano technician who discovered that several of his pianos were untunable due to structural problems. Usually, he found that a shoddy move caused the harm.
What Is The Best Way To Transport A Piano Without Scratching It?
This is a legitimate worry. Many pianos have a polyester resin finish, which can shatter like glass if scraped or gauged. You should be alright if you follow a few steps suggested in this post — padding, carefully planning your turns, avoiding dropping the piano, etc.
If you’re still worried, try wrapping it thoroughly with more blankets during the wrapping phase.
How Much Does A Piano Weigh?
The average weighs slightly more than 750 pounds, with larger models weighing around 1,400 pounds and smaller models weighing around 300 pounds.
Conclusion
Moving your piano carries more significant hazards than other do-it-yourself projects; nonetheless, if you take the necessary precautions, you should be able to transfer your piano without the assistance of a professional. Ensure that you have the all the right equipment, a well-thought-out plan, and an adequate number of assistance to complete the procedure correctly.
