Moving a Piano? Here is What You Should Know

Are you relocating or moving homes and worried how will you move your precious piano? Moving a piano can be a single-item job or part of a complete house move. Whether you are moving to a new home across town or to a different state, you need to make sure it is in safe, competent hands during the commute.

Despite their large size and heavy weight, they are delicate and need special care and handling when moved from point A to B. These grand, elegant musical instruments are notorious for being extremely difficult to move, and even a single mistake can have disastrous consequences.

An investment as great as a piano requires careful treatment from professionals who specialize in moving such instruments. A professional mover can provide peace of mind that your valuable instrument will be transported safely and smoothly, and the costs of the service will be totally worth it.

DIY vs. Professional Movers

The DIY route is always tempting when it comes to moving on a strict budget. However, the stakes are extremely high when moving something as expensive as a piano, and if you make a mistake, it will cost you a hundred times over the money you tried to save. For hiring professional packers or helpers, you need to find one who has expertise and experience in moving pianos. It is imperative that you hire a moving company that has an in-depth understanding of the instruments and knows the specific methods and tools used to move to a new location. Hence hiring a professional mover shouldn’t be a choice, instead, it should be treated as a necessary expense.

Estimating Costs for a Professional Piano Move

Generally, moving companies use one of the two methods of charging for a piano move: One is to charge by the hour with a minimum hour requirement, while the other way is to charge a flat rate by taking into account certain factors which sometimes is more expensive, especially when there are unforeseen complications associated with the move and they increase the cost. The latter considers the size and type of piano, the distance of the move, the level of difficulty in terms of moving out of the house and into the destination. Hourly rate, is preferred by most people because it gives an accurate estimate with a complete breakdown of costs. This method is preferred for long-distance moves as well.

Questions to Ask a Moving Company

For piano owners, it is important they properly interview the moving company and ensure they have the skill set and experience in moving pianos. Here are a few questions that you should ask:

• How many pianos have you moved to date?
• Are you bonded?
• Do you have insurance?
• Are your movers trained to handle pianos?
• Can you provide references of previous clients?

Once you have chosen a company, make sure you understand the billing method and any hidden costs to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the end. Choosing professional piano movers is certainly going to be more expensive than asking your friends to help you out. However, the cost outweighs the risks and damages you may incur if you decide not to opt for professional help.