Moving a piano is not an easy task. Moving a piano can be a difficult and tricky task. It requires a lot of manpower.

Pianos are not only heavy, but they also come in different sizes and shapes. They are delicate and complex instruments. It is common to find a piano with more than 10,000 moving parts. A piano is often the most expensive and valuable piece of furniture a person owns.

We believe that hiring a specialist mover for pianos is the best option, given their heavy weight, complex structure, and delicate nature. Piano movers are experienced and equipped to move your piano safely without damage.

If you’re brave enough to move a piano on your own, we have a guide that will help you do it safely and with the least amount of hassle.

Step 1: Gather the necessary equipment.

Certain tools are required to move a piano. They are essential to completing the task without damaging your instrument. The basic equipment you’ll need is a dolly for the piano, straps, and blankets.

  • Moving Blankets and Tape: These blankets protect your piano’s walls from scratches and dents during the move. Be sure to have enough tape and blankets to cover your piano’s entire surface.
  • Dolly for Piano: Dollies are equipped with four heavy-duty wheels that can be used to move heavy objects and musical instruments. The piano can be easily moved along the floor once it is placed on the dolly. Make sure the dolly can handle the weight of the piano. The average upright piano weighs between 300 and 500 pounds. Baby grand pianos are between 500 and 650 pounds. Grand pianos range from 700 to 1,200 pounds.
  • Piano Board (also known a piano skid board):If moving a grand, you’ll also need a board in the right size. Piano boards have divots to help secure the straps of the piano while in motion. The extra protection is needed because grand pianos can be more difficult to move and are larger.
  • Straps: Lifting straps and tie-down straps are used to secure the piano to the moving truck (and the piano board if it is a grand piano) to prevent the piano from shifting and jolting during transport.
  • Work Gloves (one set per mover): Proper working gloves will protect your hands and give you a better grip.
  • Plywood Planks: If your piano needs to be moved upstairs or downstairs you will need plywood to cover the length of the staircase in order to create a temporary ramp. Measure your staircase to ensure the planks you purchase are the right size.
  • Moving Truck: The capacity of the truck is an obvious, but crucial component to your move. Don’t wheel out the piano only to find that the truck is not big enough. Check that the truck you plan to use will fit the piano.

Step 2: Measure doorways, plan your path and remove obstacles.

It is important to plan your moving route in advance. This will make the process as safe and easy as possible. You will need to measure the dimensions of your piano and piano board (if you plan on using one), as well as any spaces that it must pass through. Included in this are doorways, halls, stairs and other narrow areas. Be sure to check the floor for loose boards and uneven steps. You can avoid damaging the piano by identifying the dimensions of the space. Cover sharp corners and edges with towels or blankets if you’re worried about the piano scratching your doors.

Measure the area where you plan to put the piano in order to make sure it will fit. You should take your time when deciding where you want to put the piano. Once it’s in place, it will be difficult to move.

After you’ve decided where to place your piano and planned the route, make sure that the path is as clear as possible. By removing furniture and other household items from the path and leaving the doors wide open, you can reduce the risk of the piano slipping and hitting nearby objects. Avoid trip hazards by checking the floor for any small items. Also, avoid clogging the dolly wheels.

Step 3: Arrange for child and pet care.

When choosing a time and day to move your piano, there are a few extra factors to take into consideration. A piano’s delicate inner parts will detune and shift if it is moved or heated. You can reduce this effect by relocating as late or early as possible in the day. The temperature is lower in the mornings and evenings, so the moving truck will be less humid. Avoid moving the piano if possible on a wet day. The piano will be protected and wrapped, but moving it during a sunny day will help reduce the risk that the piano may get damaged by water.

To avoid any possible injury or damage to the piano, it is important to keep pets and children out of the path during the move. Consider arranging childcare for your children or a playdate at a different location. Place your pets in a separate room or crate before moving the piano.

Step 4: Assemble your team of helpers.

At least four people are required to move a piano. At least two people will be required to move the piano, and one person is needed to push the dolly. A fourth person is useful to help support any of the other three people and make the process easier. Asking for family or friends with experience in lifting heavy items and who are fit is the best way to get help. Ask them to wear appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes with good grip and gloves to improve their grip.

It is also important to use a professional moving service that will provide enough experienced people who are familiar with moving delicate and heavy items. They can also ensure the safe transportation and moving of your piano.

Step 5: It’s time to move the piano.

You are now ready for the move. The methods for moving an upright piano or grand piano are different.

How to move an upright piano

  1. Close the lid and fallboard (the top lid that covers the keyboard) on the top of the piano. Tape them together.
  2. Wrap the petals in blankets, and tape them together.
  3. Then, secure the piano with tape and drape moving blankets on top. Be sure to cover all four sides. Secure the blankets using moving straps for extra protection.
  4. Prepare your team to lift the piano. Lift the piano with lifting straps by positioning one person on each end. Third person can slide dolly under the piano.
  5. After the piano has been placed on the dolly, gently guide it to the moving truck. Be extra careful and take your time when maneuvering through corners, doorways and uneven steps.
  6. Secure and tie the piano to the truck using straps.
  7. Position one or two people in front the piano at the destination to better control the unloading.

Moving a grand piano.

  1. Secure the fallboard and top lid with tape.
  2. With a screwdriver, disassemble the legs and pedals of the grand piano. Assemble your team on either side of the grand piano to help prevent it from falling.
  3. Wrapped the pedals and legs in blankets, and place screws in a bag. All parts should be placed in a moving box.
  4. Wrap the grand piano’s entire body in moving blankets. Tape the blankets in place by wrapping them around several times.
  5. Prepare your team to lift the grand piano. One or more people should be placed on either side of the grand piano, depending on its weight. With the help of lifting straps slowly and simultaneously tilt back the grand piano and slide the board under it. Make sure the piano board is securely seated on the board.
  6. Guide the piano slowly and carefully to the moving truck, with someone on either side.
  7. Secure and tie the piano to the truck using straps.
  8. Position one or two people in front the piano at the destination to better control the unloading.
  9. With a screwdriver, reassemble the legs and pedals of the piano.

Step 6: Retune and clean your piano after moving.

There are several things that you can do once your piano has been moved to its new home to bring it back to top condition. To prevent dust and lint from entering the piano’s inner workings, use a soft cloth and wipe the outside of the instrument. You should be very careful when cleaning the interior of the keyboard. There are delicate parts in the piano. Consider hiring a professional piano cleaner.

It is important to retune the piano once it has been moved. The piano can go out of tune if it is moved even a few feet, or to a different room in the home, to a new place, or taken out of storage. The piano’s sound and keys can be restored to normalcy by retuning. While experts tend to disagree on the best time to tune a piano that has just been moved, most recommend waiting for at least one month. This gives the piano enough time to adjust and acclimatize to its new surroundings and humidity levels.

Hire a professional piano mover

You may have realized that moving a piano can be a difficult task. We recommend that you hire a professional piano movers if you are unsure if you can move a piano yourself. We has a team of professionals who have experience moving pianos. Hiring a professional international piano moving service in Auckland will not only ensure that your piano is safely moved, but it will also prevent you from getting injured and give you a hassle-free moving experience. Professional Movers