Moving home requires juggling a huge number of tasks, with the physical transfer of your belongings being one of the most significant hurdles.
Pianos are a prime example of items that are particularly tricky to move, and you’ll want to get an experienced team involved to help you with the process and ensure that no damage comes to your instrument.
Assessing the piano and properties
Before moving a piano during a home move, the first step will be to assess the piano and the two properties that it needs to be moved between.
For example, moving an upright piano between two ground-floor rooms with large access doors will be a much simpler process compared to moving a grand piano between penthouse suites, and professional removal services like Bright Movers will need to prepare themselves accordingly.
Preparing the piano
Before the instrument can be safely moved, the piano will need to be prepared. This might include removing or securing any moving parts, and wrapping particularly vulnerable surfaces or corners to protect them from knocks or scratches.
It might be necessary to wrap the piano in protective blankets, or, with grand pianos, to remove the legs and pedal lyre so that it can be safely placed on a piano skid.
The goal here is to make it as safe and easy as reasonably possible to move the piano, and what this looks like will differ depending on the model, its condition, and the environments that need to be navigated during that process.
Moving the piano
Once it's prepped, the removals team will move it out using a combination of lifting straps, dollies, and piano skids. It might take a full crew to make sure everything is handled in a highly controlled way. Navigating stairs obviously takes a bit more prep and maybe some extra tools. Once it's in the van, they’ll secure it properly so it doesn't budge during the drive, likely using extra restraints and padding to keep it safe.
Bringing it into your new home
Once the van has arrived at your new home, the team will bring the piano into the final room. They will reassemble any components that needed to be removed for the move, along with any packing materials.
It’s important to consider where in your home you will want it to be placed in advance, and to ensure that this space is ready before the piano arrives. You’ll want it to be located away from heat sources and direct sunlight, to prevent excessive warping and detuning.
Final Thoughts...
During the move, it is very likely that the piano’s tuning will be affected, and you’ll want to have it retuned eventually. However, it’s worth leaving it for a while to acclimatise to the new space before having this done.
Make sure that the service you choose has the expertise to move pianos, along with all the necessary tools. Don’t just go with the first man-with-a-van advert you come across, or you could seriously damage your prized instrument.
