Owning a piano is a dream come true for many people as these great musical instruments have a timeless appeal that has, for ages, made them a must-have among music lovers. However, while the joys of owning a piano are unexplainable, it is a different gameplay whenever you have to move your piano, especially over a long distance.

Luckily, this guide explores all the must-knows for hassle-free piano moving.

Factors to consider before moving pianos

Whether you own a grand piano, concert grand piano, or baby grand piano, here are the factors to have in mind before you try to move a piano:

Pianos are heavy

The first major issue you will experience with piano relocating is that these instruments are very heavy. Small ones weigh around 300 pounds, with large models weighing up to 1400 pounds or more. Therefore, regardless of how strong you might be, it is best never to attempt to move it without the right tools.

Pianos are fragile

Despite their sizes and weight, these instruments are very fragile. Most of the parts that make it up cannot handle the stress of being moved around, and they will easily snap off or get damaged if not handled properly. Pianos also tend to have thin legs and polished surfaces, which are prone to scratching, factors you must consider when planning to move them.

Pianos have awkward shapes and uneven weight distribution

Pianos have awkward shapes and uneven weight distribution, calling for special equipment and careful planning before you start moving them. For example, an upright ones requires different handling from a grand pianos, as these two models have distinct shapes and weights.

Pianos can easily go out of tune

This kind of moving must be well-thought-out as these instruments easily go out of tune when they get knocked or bumped while being moved from one location to another. Since most pianos cost a fortune, this is a risk you cannot afford to take, making it critical to first plan how to handle and move these musical instruments safely.

How to move a piano

Now that you know the dangers of moving these previous instruments, it is important to have a foolproof plan before you rush into handling them. As with any other relocation need, you must first have the right equipment for the job.

Equipment you need to move a piano

• Piano trolly

• Bubble wrap/plastic wrap

• Straps and tie-downs

• Work gloves

• Tape

• Screwdrivers

• Cardboard pads/moving blankets

• Van ramps

• At least two to four strong people

Steps to moving a piano

Armed with the equipment mentioned above, you can now start the moving process by following these steps:

1. Measure your piano and pathways

The number one trick movers use to avoid hitting roadblocks is measuring the piano and pathways before doing anything. As is the rule when planning, always measure twice and remember that your piano has different dimensions that you must consider to avoid getting stuck once you start moving it. Do not forget to include doorways, hallways, and stairwells when measuring your pathways, so you have everything pre-planned before taking any other action.

2. Clear your path

Now that you have all the necessary measurements focus on clearing the path you will use from any obstructions. These include potted plants, loose rugs, carpets, and other items on the path you will use. Remember to ensure that your children and pets are kept away to avoid risks as you do the move.

3. Carefully wrap your piano

The next step is to wrap it to ensure it remains intact during transportation. All you have to do for upright pianos is lock the tray, and you can wrap the piano as it is. However, grand pianos must first be disassembled before you wrap all sides with moving blankets and secure them with tape. Be extra careful when disassembling the piano and lowering it to avoid causing damage. It is also best to provide extra padding to edges to minimize impacts during transportation.

4. Get the piano on the trolly

After careful wrapping, you need to hoist it into the trolly. Here you will need to use weightlifting straps and have enough manpower to get the piano on it. Do not attempt to move the instrument by yourself, as these are quite heavy, and you might strain yourself or make a mistake and cause costly damage.

5. Strap the piano securely

Once its lifted, ensure it is well strapped with dolly straps before moving it. If you are going up or down a flight of stairs, set up a ramp beforehand to ensure less stress during the relocation.

6. Push the trolly to the van

You can then push the trolly to the van, ensuring at least two to four people are helping you, as the piano needs to be supported during this process. Do not forget to go slowly and consciously be aware of what is ahead of you to ensure nothing goes wrong.

7. Get the piano in the van and secure it

Finally, use the ramp to get it into the van or truck before securing it against the back wall with moving straps. You can further secure it using extra paddings for a stress-free moving experience.

Make the smart choice: Hire professional long-distance piano movers

While it is possible for you to move a piano once you get the right equipment and follow the steps outlined above, it is better and safer to hire professionals. The benefits that experienced movers provide include the following:

• Guaranteed safe handling of your piano

Pros have the expertise to safely handle your musical instruments without leaving even a scratch on these valuables. By hitting these experts, they will fully cater to all your long-haul moving needs. It gets better as a moving company will work according to your schedule and ensure that the piano arrives at the right destination on time.

• High-quality moving equipment

A moving company will always go the extra mile to have top-quality equipment that makes their work easier. This way, regardless of how big or fragile your item is, you can always be assured that it will be securely packaged and transported without hiccups.

• You partner with fully insured experts

Competent movers will always have good insurance coverage as they understand the risk of their business. This works to your advantage as you will have the peace of mind that from the moment these experts arrive to the moment it arrives at the required destination, there is minimum risk of facing costly losses or damage.

• Storage services can be provided

They can also offer storage services whenever necessary. This comes in handy when you are moving from one state to another and your new home is not yet ready. You can enjoy both short and long-term storage, depending on your needs.

• Use of climate-controlled trucks

These services have gotten more sophisticated as customer demands have risen. One way they ensure no damage happens to items is by transporting them in climate-controlled trucks so that temperature and humidity changes do not affect these fragile instruments.

Bottom-line

You do not have to risk moving your possessions without professional assistance when you can hire the best piano mover in Las Vegas and save yourself a lot of problems. As a full-service moving company, we provide a wide range of services and have been transporting pianos and other musical instruments for years. The icing on the cake is that we strictly work with highly trained movers who are fully committed to providing our customers with top-of-the-line services. Therefore, you can always trust us to expertly disassemble, pack, load, and reassemble your instruments whenever you move from one state or city to another.