Looking for the safest way to move your prized piano? Is it heavier than you thought?
Lucky for you, you aren't in this alone. Piano movers are more than willing to help you do the job. And your total piano shipping cost might be less than you think if you choose the right professional piano movers for the job!
If you want to learn more about piano moving and how to care for your piano after its journey, keep reading. We’ve got plenty of piano transport tips for you regardless of whether you need the service of local piano movers or long distance piano movers.
How Easy Is It to Move a Piano
Anyone who has attempted to move a piano will tell you they are much heavier than they appear. Because of this, the chances of harming either yourself or your moving partner are high. Dropping your piano could cause injuries to your feet and lifting it incorrectly could harm your back.
This doesn't even cover the damage you could do to your home if the move goes south. The instrument's legs could damage your walls and the weight of it could shatter your tile flooring.
This is not a move you should spontaneously try on your own.
Do You Need a Piano Mover to Move a Piano
Calling professional piano movers is the only way for you and your home to stay out of harm's way. The piano movers you hire will know exactly how to lift and move your piano. They will also have enough people to move it efficiently; not one person will have to carry all that weight alone.
You will not have the stress of a piano transport gone wrong on your shoulders when the professionals are there to help. But if something were to go wrong, most professional piano moving companies have insurance that covers any damages their services may cause your items or your home.
You would not get this extra security if you decided to move your piano on your own. If you broke, you definitely would have to buy it. If you want to ensure your company has this option, give them a call or visit their website before hiring them.
When it comes to piano transport, you need the help of a professional piano moving service. It will make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and will protect you and your property. And if you’re worried about your total piano moving cost, don’t fret! A top piano moving company like Nexus will be able to move a piano for you at a budget-conscious rate!
Protecting Your Piano
On top of the dangers that come with moving your piano, you also have all those fragile pieces to think about. Believe it or not, your piano consists of many delicate pieces that are extremely vulnerable when moved. Because of this, the first thing you need to do before moving your piano to a new location is to protect it from damage.
You can't just throw it in a box with some bubble wrap and put it on a trailer; they are much too big for that. Honestly, the giant box would make the move much harder. But you can still take a few safety precautions before you begin lifting it.
Secure The Keyboard
One of the most delicate parts of your piano is the keys. They can easily fall out or chip during transportation. Because of this, you should start by making sure the keyboard lid is closed over the keys.
If the cover has a lock use it, but if it doesn't try securing it in another way. You could install a tock or place a temporary one on the lid or you could find another way to keep it closed; get creative.
Whatever you do be careful and don't damage the surface of your piano while trying to keep the keys covered. Tape or any strong adhesive would more than likely take the paint off of your piano; especially if it is wooden.
Wrap It Up
Second, you need to find a way to wrap the rest of the piano. This could get done with bubble wrap, padding, or blankets. Whichever item is easiest for you. The use of padding will keep the piano in one piece and save your walls from enduring any cracks or holes.
It doesn't matter which method you choose, just ensure you have securely wrapped all the vulnerable pieces of your piano (legs, lids, sides, etc.). Make sure whatever padding you use is thick. Thin padding will not do your piano any good.
The best way to keep the padding on is by securing it with tape. Be generous when taping it into place. The more tape you have around the padding the better.
Zip ties and rope are other items you can use to keep your padding where it needs to be.
Use Proper Equipment
The right moving equipment may be the difference between a broken instrument and a whole one. This is a step you cannot skip and must research. Most basic moving items will not work for this project.
You will need strong straps designed to hold large, heavy objects. These are secure enough to make sure your piano does not move on the drive home. A dolly is also a useful tool to have; this will carry a lot of the load and make the moving process much easier.
You will also need a large enough truck to transport your piano. It obviously will not fit in a car or regular-sized truck bed.
If this all sounds like a lot, do not worry, Piano moving companies have all of this equipment and much more. If you don't have them, the movers definitely will.
How Much Does It Cost To Move a Piano Professionally?
The size of your piano will more than likely affect the cost of moving it. Small pianos usually cost between $250-750$ to move and a large piano will cost around $600-$1200. Your particular piano moving cost will vary depending on how far you are moving the instrument.
The farther the distance, the greater the cost. As you might expect, local piano movers charge less overall than long-distance services. The only way you will know your piano shipping cost for sure, however, is by calling your moving company and asking for an estimate.
With all of the potential risks of piano transport looming over your moving day, moving your piano with the help of a piano moving company will be well worth the cost. Piano movers are trained to safely handle, load, and unload your instrument without incident.
Where to Place Your Piano
Once you get your piano to its new home, your next task is figuring out where to put it. As you know by now, these instruments are heavy and you won't want to go through the struggle of moving them a second time. This is why it's so important to put it in the right place the first time.
Your piano will sound best in a room with good acoustics. If anywhere in your new location has hardwood floors or tile, this is the best flooring to place your piano on. One way to add to the acoustics or change them is by placing rugs in this room; you can remove them as well.
If the new room has any loose windows, shelves, pictures, or decorations try to secure or adjust them. This will help the piano sound as good as possible. You also need to keep your piano out of sunlight or moist areas.
Both of these elements will damage the sound and appearance of the piano. Humidity can also cause the piano to have issues. Try to keep it in a room with humidity levels consistently between 35-55%.
Caring for Your Piano After the Move
During transport, your piano probably lost some of its fine-tuning. This is completely normal during the piano transport process. It’s also an easy fix! All you need to do is get it professionally tuned again.
A few small tweaks and an evaluation later, and your piano will be good as new. If you are unsure if your piano lost its tune during transport or you don't remember the last time you got it professionally tuned, go ahead and have it looked at. It's better to be safe than sorry.
You never know when the urge to play will strike; make sure you are prepared for it.
How To Find Piano Movers Near Your Location
Your piano shipping cost will vary depending on whether you need local or long-distance services. Your best bet is working with a nationwide leader like Nexus who specializes in short and long piano moves.
Nexus has movers in your area ready to ship your piano from Point A to Point B. And no matter the logistics of your particular move, you’ll be able to transport your instrument for a piano moving cost that suits your budget.
Hire Piano Movers
If you are planning on moving your piano anytime soon, make sure you hire the best piano movers to help you with the job. You will want a company that is reliable, efficient, and cautious, just like Nexus Transport. We’re the most trusted piano moving company in the United States for a reason!
Our team of professional movers is more than happy to help you do the heavy lifting and move your piano for you. You can even take the lifting one step farther and allow us to move your car! And combined, your car transport and piano transport cost are likely to be much more affordable than you'd think!
To learn more about our piano moving service and read more informative articles like this one, visit our website to learn more and read our blog.
