Moving a piano requires special care and handling to avoid damage. When searching for piano movers, you want to find professionals with the right skills, equipment, and experience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to find and hire the best piano movers.

What Makes Piano Moving Challenging?

Moving a piano presents unique challenges compared to moving regular furniture. Here are some key reasons piano moving requires specialty movers:

Weight – Upright pianos can weigh 500-1000 lbs while grands and concert pianos may weigh up to 1300 lbs. This heavy weight makes pianos difficult to maneuver and transport.
Awkward shape – With projecting legs, a curved body, and an expansive width, pianos are hard to grip and don’t balance well.
Sensitivity – A piano has thousands of moving parts and strings under precise tensions. Jarring or dropping a piano can ruin the internal mechanisms.
Value – Pianos are major investments. An improper move resulting in just minor damage can significantly decrease a piano’s monetary value.

Essential Qualities of Good Piano Movers

When evaluating prospective piano movers, you want to look for these vital characteristics:

Proper Equipment

The mover should have:

Specialty piano dollies – These four-wheel platforms have restraint bars and piano straps to secure the instrument’s base.
Ramps – Long, sturdy ramps make loading/unloading the dolly easier.
Soft-tie blankets – Thick padded blankets prevent marring the piano’s finish.

Training and Experience

The mover should:

Know proper handling techniques to minimize jostling and force on the piano.
Be experienced packing the piano’s delicate interior parts for transport.
Understand how to navigate doorways, stairways, and elevators without damaging the instrument.

Care and Caution

The mover should:

Work slowly and carefully rather than quickly.
Evaluate paths and clear obstacles rather than force the piano through.
Communicate clearly to coordinate multiple movers lifting and moving the piano.

How Much Does Piano Moving Cost?

Piano moving isn’t cheap. Costs vary based on:

Mover’s experience – Better expertise commands higher rates.
Distance traveled – Longer transport distances increase costs.
Accessibility – Multi-flight staircases or tight spaces requiring rigging add labor fees.
Type of piano – Larger grands and concert pianos require more movers and time.

For example, fees to move an upright within 15 miles might range from $300-$600 while moving a grand piano may cost $800-$2000. Always get a detailed quote upfront.

Questions to Ask Prospective Piano Movers

To choose the best mover, ask these key questions:

How long have you specialized in piano moving specifically?
What training and certifications do your movers have?
Do you own piano dollies, specialty ramps, and moving blankets?
What types and brands of pianos have you moved in the past?
Will you be performing any disassembly or interior preparation prior to moving?
Is your company insured and licensed?
Can you provide references from past piano moving clients?

Tips for Preparing for Your Piano Move

To facilitate a smooth piano move, follow these tips:

Clear a path from your piano to the door and ensure doorways are wide enough.
Measure stair rise heights and doorway widths to alert movers of tight squeezes.
Remove objects on/around the piano including lamps, photos, and decor.
Back up any data from a digital player piano.
Have new destination surface cleared and ready for piano placement.

Signs of a High Quality Piano Mover

Quality piano movers exhibit these signs:

Arrive with proper padded moving equipment.
Take time to meticulously wrap and secure the piano.
Carefully survey the building with the piano owner beforehand.
Patiently work the piano around corners and through narrow spaces.
Communicate clearly with the owner and any fellow movers.
Unload, unwrap, and reinstall the piano precisely.
Leave the premises clean and ask if there’s anything more they can do.

Warning Signs of an Amateur Piano Mover

Beware piano movers who:

Arrive with a basic dolly rather than specialty piano equipment.
Quickly yank and shove the piano without care.
Don’t use padding and take shortcuts around corners.
Treat the instrument roughly without communicating with helpers.
Leave scuff marks on the piano, walls, or flooring.
Don’t properly reassemble and position the piano after unloading.

Finding Quality Piano Movers

Use these tactics to find professional, reputable piano movers:

Word of mouth – Talk to recent customers or ask piano retailers for referrals.
Check reviews – Read reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.
Piano technicians – A piano technician who services your piano regularly may recommend quality movers.
Mover associations – Look for movers accredited by the American Moving & Storage Association.
Concert venues – Ask theaters and auditoriums who they use to relocate concert pianos.

Key Questions When Choosing Piano Movers

As you select a mover, get clear answers on:

Your exact quote – Get a quote in writing after an in-home estimate.
Who specifically will move your piano – Ask if the estimators will also be the movers.
Packing/preparation services – See what’s included and what isn’t.
Insurance coverage – Verify coverage and get copies of policies.
Potential delays – Ask what could slow the move and push back delivery.
Secure piano storage options – Inquire if needed.

Red Flags to Avoid with Piano Movers

Watch for these red flags when evaluating movers:

No clear specialization or expertise in piano moving specifically.
Vague quotes rather than in-home estimates.
Lack of proper equipment and moving blankets seen on initial walk-through.
Unwillingness to take responsibility for potential damage.
Poor communication and difficulty getting straightforward answers.

Key Tips for Safely Moving a Piano Yourself

While professional movers are best for a stress-free move, you can DIY a local piano move if you:

Use a specialty dolly designed specifically for pianos.
Have 3-4 able helpers to assist lifting and moving the piano.
Secure blankets around all parts of the piano to prevent nicks and dings.
Move slowly and make multiple stops to check for shifting.
Make sure the piano stays balanced and never tilts side-to-side or forward/backward.
Place blocks under the dolly wheels when loading/unloading to prevent slipping.
Clear wide paths and remove doors in advance if necessary.

FAQ About Moving Pianos

Get quick answers to the most common piano moving questions:

Should I hire piano movers or use general movers?

Always hire specialty piano movers rather than general movers. Piano moving requires very specific equipment and handling expertise. Even seasoned furniture movers likely don’t have proper experience moving pianos safely.

How soon should I hire piano movers before my move date?

Ideally, book your movers 4-6 weeks in advance if possible. Quality piano movers book up quickly, especially in peak summer moving season. Last minute scrambles to find available piano movers often end badly.

Should I get just a quote or pay for a full in-home estimate?

Shell out the extra money for an in-home, in-person estimate whenever possible. This allows the movers to see the actual piano, assess accessibility issues, and provide an accurate quote for services. Beware very lowball quotes given without seeing the piano first.

Are piano movers equipped to move player pianos?

Yes, reputable piano movers have experience with all types of pianos including player pianos. Notify them in advance it’s a player piano so they can prepare properly. They’ll remove any accompanying music rolls and other accessories and reinstall them after the move.

Can piano movers move an antique piano?

You need even greater care with antique pianos. Verify the movers have specialist expertise transporting and handling vintage pianos. Antique pianos may have more fragility requiring extra padding, stabilization, and part removal before the move.

Will piano movers take away my old piano when delivering the new one?

Some will haul away your old piano for an added fee. Be sure to ask ahead of time if they’ll remove and dispose of the previous piano after they setup the new one. Some may allow you to keep the old piano in the house though if you prefer.

Key Takeaways on Moving Pianos

Moving a piano solo without experience risks severe damage – hire specialists.
Check for proper equipment, training, credentials, insurance, and references.
Get an in-home estimate for an accurate quote tailored to your specific piano.
Prepare the transport path by clearing objects and checking widths.
Protect your investment by securing reputable piano movers weeks in advance.

Conclusion

Moving a piano requires meticulous care from experienced professionals equipped with specialty moving gear. When hiring piano movers, do your due diligence by thoroughly vetting their expertise, equipment, and care in handling precious pianos. With a methodical piano moving process executed by reputable movers, you can feel confident your prized piano will arrive safely and soundly at its new home.

The Best Piano Movers