This piano moving checklist turns a stressful job into a series of small, manageable tasks. Work through it a week or two before moving day, whether you are doing a short shift at home or booking professionals, and you will avoid the surprises that slow most piano moves down.
We have the appropriate equipment and methods to quickly make your device for moving, and one of the most innovative trucks built particularly to move any type of upright or grand pianos. If you are just moving your baby grand pianos a short range, on the other hand, you can generally do so with the help of some associates.
If at all possible, you should have your upright piano moved by expert piano movers, particularly if it is a grand piano. You will also want a piano mover to do the moving if your piano does not have wheels. Piano movers have knowledge moving heavy things, specifically over long ranges or in complicated areas.
You can move the piano inside a small area, like a residence or a club. Open up any wheel locks on your piano and move the piano a small range. If it is not stable or does not have wheels, you will need a piano dolly to move it. Put down some carpet or plastic sheeting on the floor to keep from gouging the floor or destroying rugs. Distribute the rug or sheeting along the whole route the piano will take once you begin moving it. Secure the dolly’s wheels and lift the piano onto the dolly, with one person lifting each corner.
Place one person at each end of the piano. If you have more than two people helping, place two to three guys at the keyboard end of the piano, and one person at the other end. Anybody else offered can help by steadying the path the piano will move by forcing on the challenge of a grand piano or both side of an upright piano.
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Your Piano Moving Checklist, Step by Step
Begin with measurements. Record the height, width and depth of an upright, or the length and width of a grand, then measure every doorway, hallway and turn along the route. Count the steps at both addresses and note whether they are inside or outside, straight or curved.
Next, sort out access. Apartment buildings often need a lift booking or loading dock time arranged through building or strata management, and some ask for lift padding. Check parking as well: a loading zone or a clear driveway close to the entrance saves a long carry. In narrow streets, let neighbours know so cars are not parked across your driveway.
Then clear the path. Move furniture, lift rugs, take down low pictures in narrow halls, and keep pets and children well out of the way on the day. A tidy route is the easiest item on any piano moving checklist and one of the most important.
Finally, prepare the piano itself. Empty the stool, remove music and ornaments, and close the lid and fallboard. If the new room is still being painted or the floors are being finished, push the delivery back rather than squeezing the piano in early. Keep a phone handy on the day so the team can reach you quickly about access or parking.
Items to Tick Off Before Moving Day
- Details: piano type, measurements and photos ready to share
- Access: step counts and notes on tight spots for both addresses
- Bookings: lift, loading dock or parking booked for the right time
- Path: route cleared, rugs lifted and floors protected with boards or sheeting
- Destination: the exact spot chosen in the new room, away from heaters and direct sun
- Short-term piano storage arranged if the new home is not ready on time
After the move, give the piano a week or two to settle, then book piano tuning with a qualified tuner. If you would rather hand the whole piano moving checklist to specialists, send your details to get a fixed-cost quote from Piano Removalists Sydney.
Your Piano Moving Checklist for the Week Before
Use this piano moving checklist in the last week: measure doorways and stairs, book parking near both front doors, clear a path through each room, and let the building manager know if there is a lift. Keep the piano moving checklist handy on the day so nothing is missed.
The final item on any piano moving checklist is the tuning: wait two or three weeks after the move for the piano to settle, then book your tuner. Print this piano moving checklist or save it to your phone.
