Moving Upright Pianos
Moving an upright piano requires experience and the right tools to be accomplished safely. Professional movers will typically follow these steps:
Identify the best route to move your piano. This isn’t only the from the starting point to the final destination, but within the building at each location. Identifying the best route in advance can make a huge difference in the ease of the move.
Any accessories on the piano, like music stands or covers, will be removed to reduce the piano’s total weight. Movers will place these on the truck after the piano has been loaded.
Next, your piano is attached to a custom piano moving board with moving straps and moving blankets, and prepared for departure. The piano board will be used to stabilize the piano during transportation.
Movers then maneuver your piano along the predetermined route and load it into the waiting vehicle.
Once inside the back of a truck or trailer, the piano will be tied down to the cargo attachments to ensure that it doesn’t slide around during the trip. Any other items will also be secured to prevent collision with each other.
At the destination, the straps securing the piano and other items will be carefully undone and the piano will be slid down the loading ramp.
Using four-wheel dollies and other tools, the piano will be maneuvered along the predetermined route.
Once your piano is at the final location, the piano board and moving straps are detached from the piano. Carefully, movers will remove the board and slide the piano into place.
Movers will then unload and reattach any piano accessories that were included with your piano.
How much does it cost to move a standup piano?
The cost of moving a standup piano is determined by the size and weight of the piano. The larger and heavier the piano, the longer the move will take and the more movers may be needed to move the piano. Generally, a standup piano move will land in the range of $325-$465, but the price can be affected by other factors such as distance of the move and stairs.
Can you move an upright piano with a dolly?
Yes, you can move some types of pianos with just a dolly, but in many cases, you will need other tools to facilitate a safe and smooth move.
There are a few different types of dollies, the most common being two-wheel and four-wheel. A two-wheel dolly is designed to move objects that are tall, but not long. Attempting a piano move with this tool is not a good idea as it can easily result in injury and damage.
A four-wheel dolly is flat with four wheels underneath and can be used to move a piano of a comparable size. The trick will be getting the dolly under the piano, and then later removing it safely.
Can you move an upright piano without movers?
It is not recommended to move an upright piano without professional help, unless you are moving it a short distance on flat flooring. Attempting to move a heavy piano without proper equipment or technique can result in serious injury to yourself and damage to your floors, walls, and the piano itself.
If you intend to move your piano more than just a few feet, you should call professional movers to give you a safe, reliable move.
How heavy is an average upright piano?
Upright pianos vary widely in weight, typically in relation to their size. Small upright pianos can weigh 300-400 lbs. Larger uprights can weigh as much as 1000 lbs.
If your upright has any attachments on it that can be removed for transport it would help decrease the weight of the piano in preparation for a move. These attachments are items like a music stand or electronic playing device. Your piano is more likely to be heavier if these accessories are made of wood or metal.
How many people does it take to move an upright piano?
In general, it takes 2 to 3 people to move an upright piano when the conditions are smooth, meaning a straightforward, short move without any stairs. Once other variables like stairs or steps come into play, more people may be needed to ensure the stability of the piano and the safety of all people involved.
Your mover will ask questions about the conditions of your move to determine the appropriate number of movers needed. It is important to give them as many details as possible to ensure the move goes smoothly.
