Piano Moving and Storage Tips

If you’re planning on moving or storing your piano for any reason, there are several things you should consider to make sure the experience goes smoothly and safely. You don’t want to end up moving it only to have it get damaged along the way, so follow these 8  tips when handling your piano during your move.

Tip For Moving and Storing Your Piano

1. Hire Professionals-

Finding movers who really know what they’re doing can save you time, money, and aggravation. Plus, many piano movers will provide transportation for other large items you may need to move; after all, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. And if you have a lot of musical equipment to store in between moves or jobs, make sure that it’s stored in an area with climate control—like a temperature-regulated room—to protect your instruments from being damaged by changes in temperature. Finally, be aware that some states require movers to be licensed (even if they don’t want to be), so it never hurts to check first.

 

2. Have Movers Help You Find Storage-

One of your biggest concerns when it comes to moving is how to protect your musical equipment. Although you can find piano movers in most major cities, there are services that specialise in making sure that your piano’s journey is as safe as possible. Find an insured, bonded, and well-respected company by doing a little research online, or call up some local schools for recommendations. You should also have furniture pads on hand if you plan on using DIY movers; don’t just throw blankets over your stuff! 

 

3. Don’t Neglect Your Piano-

Because a piano is a bulky instrument, it’s difficult to place it in storage without special precautions. Proper care needs to be taken to prevent damage, so you don’t want to rush through getting it ready for its new home. First, make sure all of your expensive musical equipment is stored properly—without taking proper precautions for moving pianos or other instruments, you could cause costly damage. Always check how much weight your piano weighs before moving it to avoid issues with injury or broken equipment. 

 

4. Get Moving Estimate Early-

You need to get at least three moving quotes from different movers. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when you are comparing companies; all quotes should have a similar scope of work with respect to distance, time, labour, etc. Ask for details about insurance coverage (i.e., will your piano be insured for damage) or any other fees associated with picking up or delivering your piano. Never use a mover who says they don’t need an accurate estimate from you because their price is based on time instead of weight!

 

5. Use Proper Packing Materials-

The piano is often thought of as a huge piece of furniture that requires special packing. To move your piano correctly, use high-quality packing materials to wrap it with. The last thing you want is for your piano to be damaged by outside forces during transport. If you can’t find proper packaging materials, contact a mover that specialises in pianos to help you out.

 

6. Protect Your Piano’s Exterior-

Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, piano movers will be using dolls to move your piano from place to place. While these dollies are sturdy and can generally hold a great deal of weight, they do have their limits. To ensure that your piano is not damaged while being moved, make sure that it’s protected by wrapping it in plastic sheeting first. If you don’t have enough plastic sheeting to cover it entirely, consider placing large moving blankets around any exposed parts of your piano such as legs or keyboard areas.

 

7. Acclimate Your Piano Carefully-

Before moving a piano, allow it to acclimate. A piano’s components can expand from extreme cold or heat. Leaving your piano out in cold weather for several days will cause it to contract more than you might imagine when you move it back inside. Likewise, heat can expand a piano, which also changes its internal dimensions. If possible, keep your instrument in an environment where temperature changes are minimal until you move it into storage or its new home.

 

8. Consider Hiring A Cleaning Company-

If you’re planning to sell your piano, it’s best to have it professionally cleaned before placing it on sale. This can cost hundreds of dollars, so if you don’t think that you need to spruce up your instrument just yet, consider hiring a cleaning company after moving.

 

Takeaway-

Once you’ve moved your piano into its new home, don’t let it sit around. As soon as you can, be sure to get it tuned. These services are best performed by a professional, but if you’re handy with tools and eager to give them a try (you’ll find plenty of information online), go for it. Above all, be sure to keep your piano maintained and enjoy the many years of musical pleasure it will provide!