How to Move a Piano Across the Country
A piano is more than just a musical instrument or a conversational piece for your home. It’s a remarkable feat of engineering. But between a piano’s size and its delicate inner parts, moving it is no easy task. If you’re planning a cross-country relocation and need to figure out how to take your piano with you, you’ll want to enlist the services of a quality moving company. There are a few things you should know ahead of hiring a mover:
Figure Out the Logistics
Even the lightest pianos typically weigh hundreds of pounds, which makes them one of the most difficult items to move. Due to the sheer size of your piano, you’ll want to prioritize moving this monstrous instrument off your property. Make sure that your moving company has a clear pathway to access the piano, even if that means readjusting furniture and clearing any boxes out of the way. This preventative measure will cut down on the time to disassemble, pack, and load the piano, making the whole affair much easier for your moving crew.
Consider Springing for Disassembly and Reassembly
While smaller pianos and organs can be moved as is, larger grand pianos require disassembly to safely load onto the moving truck. Hiring a professional to take apart and put the piano back together reduces the risk of any damage during the trip. We advise piano owners to not do the job themselves, as what may seem like a simple affair at the start can turn into a logistical nightmare if you don’t have the right tools or expertise to deal with such a complex, fragile instrument.
Do All the Necessary Research
While all the moving companies in our network are fully licensed and insured for interstate moves, keep in mind that moving a piano is a highly specialized task, so you need to keep additional considerations in mind. In addition to getting price estimates, you should speak with your potential candidates to determine how much experience they have moving pianos. You may want to even consider hiring a separate company to handle your piano move, independent from the crew that you hire to oversee your general household relocation services.
Document the Move Before and After
You can rely on our movers to provide you with honest and reliable service. And you should be confident in your move if you’ve done your due diligence, but one can never be too careful. Take photos of your piano or organ before your moving company stops by. You’re going to want to have clear documentation from every angle along with time stamps so that you’re fully protected in case the worst happens. Once your piano has been relocated to your new home, make sure to undergo a careful inspection. Keep your photos readily available so you can compare any dents or scratches, and make sure that your movers are present while performing your inspection.
Moving a piano across the country may seem like a daunting task, but it’s well worth it when you consider the joy of playing it in your new home. To minimize the hassle of your piano relocation, enlist the help of one of our piano moving experts. Request a free quote today and compare estimates from multiple piano movers who can service your move!