Moving a Piano:

Moving can be a huge ordeal, but it gets even more complicated when you throw in a piano. Trying to move a piano yourself is demanding work and probably not something the average homeowner should take on. The logistics can include stairs, steep driveways, you name it. Hiring a professional piano mover can alleviate your worries and make the move a safe one - especially for the piano. Even smaller pianos can weigh upwards of 300 pounds, so that is the first thing to consider. There are "how to" videos listed online and even instructions on how to pack the piano so that it doesn't get damaged. That being said, things do get dropped while moving and you would hate to have your baby grand ruined by your inexperience.

The real problem with pianos is not just the weight, but how awkward they are shaped. It's not like moving a couch or table where the weight is distributed fairly evenly. Trying to turn a piano on its side or stand it upright can be very difficult, especially when you are trying to get up stairs or through narrow hallways or walkways. You will notice that professionals are experts at packing the piano. They'll wrap it with blankets and pads to keep gouges or scrapes from tarnishing the surface. The other area that gets secured is the internal workings of a piano where all the moving parts reside. You'll hear words like piano dolly and piano board if the movers know what they are doing. The idea is to move the piano with as little movement as possible. Imagine the piano "floating" to its location. In the reviews we found online, there are dozens of national and local piano moving companies that know what they are doing and get great ratings from consumers. Another important thing to do is measure the piano and the space it's going into so that there is no issue in terms of room. Below are some keys points to remember if moving a piano without the help of professionals.

*Make sure you have at least 4 people to help move - 2 in the front and 2 in the rear
*Lift with your legs and not your back. Anyone with back problems should not be involved in the move
*The lid should be close and locked
*The pathway to the house or out of the house should be clutter free. Remove all object in the way
*Move the piano endways. Don't attempt to move it sideways
*Use a heavy duty dolly
*Wrap the piano with blankets and pads to keep it from getting knicks and dents

How Much Does a Piano Mover Cost?:

Moving a piano around town can cost as low as $125 and upwards of $600 depending on several factors. The first being the type of piano to be moved. If it's an upright piano then it will be cheaper than moving a grand or baby grand. Stairs seem to be the other factor that influences price for piano movers. The more stair they need to ascend or descend, the higher the price to move. For long distance piano moving expect rates as high as $2000 and as low as $750. Distance traveled covers much of the cost but there is still a big chunk for loading and unloading the piano. Some people choose to have the piano moved into a rental van/truck and then they drive it across country. Then a piano mover comes and removes it from the moving truck and places it in the new house or residence. This can still be $500 or more so shop around and get word of mouth feedback on movers being choosing anybody. We read stories where pianos needed to be lifted with a crane and placed through windows (1st and 2nd stories). This can add to your moving bill in a hurry. Stairs tend to be about $3 to $12 a step. Moving insurance on a piano is not a bad idea to get. It's relatively inexpensive and gives you the piece of mind in case something gets damaged and needs replacing. Be prepared to pay about $8 per $1000 of value. Take pictures of the piano before and after the move so you have proof if any part of it was damaged along the way.

Piano Mover - Finding the Right Company:

Is one company better than another when it comes to moving pianos? From what we found online, YES. There are several sources where you can read reviews and get an idea of which companies perform the service the best. Yelp.com is a great resource where homeowners rate their experience with people like piano movers. You can get invaluable insight into the moving process, what to watch out for and what to expect. Most piano owners said it's best to go with a company that just moves pianos and that is all they do. Piano dealers are another great place to start since they deal with movers all the time and they should be able to give you a good lead. When it comes to websites, we think that http://www.pianomoversnetwork.com/ is a great resource. In our home state of Oregon we found listings for over 20 piano movers with phone numbers and locations. Get an estimate in writing before you commit to anything. Also ask any piano mover about their insurance coverage and ask for a copy of it. Always check the pianos sound once it arrives at its new home. Have an expert verify that it is tuned properly before you send the movers on their way. They need to know how the move went. Moving a piano shouldn't be that tricky if you have the right expert involved.

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