HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PIANO FOR A MOVE

There are a few simple things you can do to prepare your piano for a move. While every professional piano mover expects to encounter challenges from time to time, making things as easy as possible for the movers to access your piano will help avoid unnecessary extra costs and help keep your piano protected during the move.

EMPTY THE BENCH

Over time, piano benches become handy places to store music that will likely never be played again. It isn’t unusual for the accumulated books and sheet music to add 50-60 pounds to the weight of a bench. And hey – this is a good opportunity to go through some special memories and decide what you’d like to keep, what you might give away, and what should go straight to the recycling bin.

CLEAR OFF YOUR PIANO

Both upright and grand pianos are wonderful places to display photos, or use as a bookshelf, or put a stereo. The movers you have hired are expert in the field of moving pianos. To make the piano moving process easy, please make sure that your piano is clear of any items.

REMOVE AND EMPTY HUMIDITY CONTROL

Many pianos have humidity control systems installed that include a reservoir of water. These become brittle with age, so are easily damaged when they are removed. Please empty and remove any reservoir so that the piano movers can focus on moving your piano safely.

CLEAR THE TRACK

The route that the piano movers take through your home must be clear of any obstacles, including side tables, shoe mats, or even thick rugs that are not anchored to the floor. Trip hazards are especially dangerous when the piano movers are navigating with your heavy and precious instrument.

CLEAR SNOW AND ICE

All the way down to the pavement. Please. The piano dollies that professional piano movers use have small wheels, and uneven, slippery surfaces expose the piano movers and your piano to serious risk of injury and damage.

BOOK ELEVATOR/LOADING DOCK/PARKING AHEAD OF TIME

If the piano movers are using an elevator, your building may require that the interior be protected, which can only be done with sufficient notice. Piano movers never like having to charge for a move that wasn’t completed because an address was inaccessible. Also, ensuring that the piano moving truck can get as close as possible to the delivery location will avoid ‘long roll’ charges, and reduce your piano’s exposure to the elements and possible damage.