Wondering how to move a piano across the country? Moving a piano is a big task that requires planning, professionalism, and precision. This guide has all the essential steps and considerations to safeguard your piano during its cross-country journey.
How to Move a Piano Across the Country (Expert Guide)
Contents
How to Move a Piano Across the Country
- Hire Professional Piano Movers: If you’ve got the budget to hire professional movers, this will ensure a safe trip.
- Measure Your Piano: Make sure you have the exact measurements and plan accordingly.
- OverPack: Secure the instrument as best you can before moving it.
- Loading: Utilize proper equipment and tools.
- Unloading: On arrival, ensure that the piano is gently unloaded and tuned by a professional.
1. Planning and Preparation
The intricate design of an acoustic piano makes it not only a valuable musical instrument but also a delicate item that needs a careful approach during relocation.
Measure the dimensions of your piano and outline a pathway that minimizes obstructions and risks during the move.
Before the move, go around into the rooms that you plan to move the piano through. If you need to move the piano upstairs or downstairs, measure the width and height of your stairwell to assess if your piano will fit through safely.
It would be a good idea to cover any tight corners and edges with plenty of padding so that you don’t damage your piano in any way when moving it around the house.
- Remove all items from the top of the piano and around it.
- Clear a pathway to the exit, removing any furniture, rugs, and other potential obstacles. Open all doors.
- Set up ramps on any stairways, such as porch steps.
- Lay down plywood to make it easier to roll your piano over difficult areas
- Clean your piano before you move it. Dust and dirt can scratch the surface while it’s in transit.
The castor cups below will help to prevent damage to your flooring when moving a piano around the house.
2. Choosing the Right Movers
When moving a piano across the country, hire professional piano movers!
Selecting professional movers who hit the high notes of experience, expertise, and equipment is crucial.
Ensure that the movers are specialized in piano moving. They should have the skills and knowledge to ensure that your piano’s journey is seamless.
Can You Transport a Piano Yourself?
Pianos are so heavy and so delicate you may unintentionally cause damage to yourself or the piano when moving it. Moving an acoustic piano on your own is a bad idea and usually not worth the risk.
However, if you decide to move it yourself you can rent a truck. Renting a truck and moving is a common choice for short-distance moves. This method is typically the most affordable option.
Professional piano movers are a safer option and will provide you with peace of mind as they will have experience in transporting pianos. You should also make sure they have the correct insurance before choosing their service.
3. Packing and Protection
Ensure your piano is adequately padded and securely wrapped. Every part, from the keys to the pedals, should be covered and cushioned to safeguard against any discordant bumps or damages during transit.
Use the necessary tools and equipment, like piano skids, straps, padding, and a dolly. Here are some packing tips:
- Close the lid and lock it. If it won’t lock, wrap it tightly or secure it in place with tape.
- Cover the entire piano in moving blankets. Tape the blankets securely in place, ensuring that no tape comes into contact with the piano surface as it may leave marks.
- Some upright pianos have handles that help with moving. Find those handles and leave them exposed!
A protective cloth dust cover like the one below can be the final piece of protection on top of your padding. It will provide temporary protection before you move it and can also be applied after cleaning the piano:
4. Loading and Unloading
In addition to their size and value, pianos are also exceptionally heavy, and grand pianos contain over 10,000 moving parts in total!
Utilize proper equipment and maintain coordinated communication among the moving team to ensure your piano is moved with care.
How to load a piano onto a truck or van:
- Hoist the piano onto the four-wheeled dolly. Position a person on all sides of the instrument to avoid any tipping.
- Secure the piano to the dolly using moving straps or rope. Pass the straps under the dolly and over the top of the piano and tie them together.
- Roll the dolly onto the truck.
- Secure the piano inside the truck or van.
- Remove the dolly
- Fasten the piano to the support bars or railings using moving straps. Make it ultra-secure and unlikely to budge even an inch.
Can You Lay an Upright Piano on Its Back During the Move?
It Isn’t recommended to move a piano on its back. For the best possible results, you should secure the instrument tightly against the back wall of the van or lorry in an upright position, to avoid any unnecessary damage.
5. Climate Considerations
Keep the piano in harmony (if you’ll pardon the pun) with a consistent temperature and humidity level during the move. Variations in climate can lead to detuning and damage, so ensure that the environment is controlled and consistent if possible.
6. In Transit
Ensure that the journey is as smooth and secure as possible. Plan the route, considering the weather, road conditions, and potential risks, so that the transit goes smoothly
When planning the route before you or the movers set off for the journey, account for any delays that may occur, and try to avoid congested and busy roads along the way or any potentially dangerous roads. The safer the route, the safer the piano will arrive!
7. Arrival and Tuning: The Finale
On arrival, ensure that the piano is gently unloaded, carefully placed in its new position, and tuned by a professional to restore its melodic brilliance. Once these steps are complete, you can enjoy your piano in your new home!
FAQ
1. How To Move a Piano?
Consider the following options:
- Hire professional piano movers.
- Rent a truck and move the piano yourself.
- Utilize proper equipment and tools.
- Rideshare or peer-to-peer shipping.
- Consolidated freight.
2. Is Professional Assistance Necessary?
Given the complexities involved, hiring professionals specialized in piano moving is highly recommended.
If you are going to attempt to move an acoustic piano without professional assistance you will need around four or five people to help you. You will need help lifting the piano and someone to help guide you as move the piano out of the house and into the truck.
3. How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Grand Piano?
According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average local move costs around $2,300, while the average long-distance move costs about $4,300. Factors such as stairs, narrow doorways, and other obstacles will also increase the cost.
| Distance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Across Town | $350 – $1,000 |
| Cross Country | $700 – $2,500 |
| International Shipping | $700 – $3,500 |
| Shipping Overseas | $2,000 – $5,000 |
4. How Much Does it Cost to Ship an Upright Piano?
There are several methods of shipping an upright piano and the cost depends on the distance and the size of the vehicle you rent, and the method you use, As a guide the costs would be:
| Renting a truck and moving yourself | Depends on the size of the vehicle and the distance of the move |
| Hiring professional movers | Depends on size of the vehicle and the distance of the move |
| Peer-to-peer shipping | $750-$1,000+ |
| Consolidated freight | $950-$2,500+ |
5. Can You Ship Internationally?
There are several companies that you can enlist to help you ship your acoustic piano, such as SDC International Shipping. They are international piano movers who have extensive experience shipping pianos overseas.
6. How Heavy is an Upright Piano
Most upright pianos weigh between 500 and 800 pounds. It usually takes four or more people to move an upright piano.
7. Who Are the Best Piano Movers?
Some of the top piano moving services to consider in America include:
You can read more about the top piano moving services on Forbes
Conclusion
Navigating moving a piano across the country requires meticulous planning and professional execution. By taking precision and care, your piano’s cross-country journey will be a success, ensuring its majestic melodies continue to echo in its new home.
Hopefully, this guide helped you with the question of how to move a piano across the country!
