How to Move a Piano

Pianos are impressive, beautiful, often large pieces of furniture that you most likely want to keep for many years. That grandiose size, however, makes moving them into a huge project. Even worse, the other reason pianos are impressive is because they have a great finish. This means that it’s imperative not to let them get scratched, dented, or otherwise damaged during the move.

Moving a Piano a Short Distance

It may not seem like it should be a big deal, but many find themselves wondering how to move a piano downstairs or how to move a piano across the room.

Moving one across the room is the only piano-moving proposition that, in one scenario, can actually be easy. If you have a floor that allows for the smooth rolling of the piano’s casters, you can usually just push it to its new spot. Of course, you’ll need to be strong enough to do that, or you’ll have to get someone else to do the work.

In other cases, moving a piano across a room is quite difficult. The casters may sink into the carpeting, or there might not even be any casters at all. Then, the piano will have to be lifted up enough to get some sort of furniture dolly or sliders under the legs. That requires much more strength than just pushing it.

Taking your piano downstairs is always a difficult task. Professional movers wear special harnesses that let them distribute the weight across their bodies, and they work in teams of at least two people.

People attempting to move a piano down or up a staircase typically won’t want to go buy these special harnesses. However, it is unlikely that two or even three people will be able to get a proper grip on the instrument with their hands alone. Therefore, it is much safer – both for you and the piano – to at least spring for the proper equipment. It’s even better to hire professional movers.

Moving a Piano Long Distance

When the instrument has to leave the building entirely and be taken somewhere else, the first consideration is usually how to transport it. This leads some to wonder how to move a piano in a pickup truck. The short answer is that it’s best not to do that. Pickups are usually open to the elements, and one quick rainstorm can destroy a piano’s fine finish – and cause warping and other damage to its delicate internal parts.

If you still want to use the pickup truck method, the first thing to do is make sure the piano will fit. An upright may go into the back of a Silverado, but a grand will need something wider. Once you determine that it will go in securely, you’ll need to use ramps and dollies to get it to the proper height. Then, it will need to be wrapped to protect its finish and tied down to keep it in the truck.

Thanks to the huge size and weight of full-sized pianos, it’s always best to let professional movers deal with them. They have the equipment needed to securely move them without hurting themselves, and they have the enclosed trucks required to protect the instruments from damage.

• Even moving a piano across a room is a project if it can’t be easily rolled on its casters
• Moving a piano up or down stairs is risky to both the people and the instrument involved
• Pianos leaving the site should always be moved in enclosed vehicles
• Professional movers are your best bet for moving a piano or anything else big and heavy

To learn about our piano moving services, just contact us here at Tiger Moving & Storage in New Jersey. We’ll be glad to help you.