How to Move a Piano Without a Moving Company

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Working with professional movers in Austin is always the best choice; but you could be able to move the piano without their assistance, only if you have the right equipment, and enough helpers. Should you chose to go the DIY route, here are the basics you should know:

What to Do Before Moving the Piano

Moving a piano requires plenty of preparations. Listed here are a few of the major things to plan before you start moving one:

1. Get the right moving supplies and materials. For example, you need to have many moving blankets available to protect the piano throughout the move. You’ll want a dolly rated for handling the piano's weight. For a grand piano, you will additionally need to rent a piano skid board from a local moving company. (Don't be surprised if you wind up paying hundreds of dollars to get one!)
2. Create a team. At the bare minimum, you ought to have four strong, able-bodied people available to assist you with the move. It is even better if you can find buddies or family members who have experience moving large items. Make sure to have a supply of pizza on hand for "motivation!"
3. Measure the appropriate passages. It is critically significant to measure the passageway through which your piano will need to fit before the actual move. You do not want to get your piano jammed in an awkward position, and risk damaging it when you attempt to get it unstuck!

What to Do As you Move the Piano

There are several key items you need to remember through the actual move. These include the following:

1. Wrap the piano keys, pedals, lid, and body up tightly with appropriate materials (e.g., bubble wrap, foam packing sheets, blankets, and so on).
2. Assemble your moving crew ready to lift the piano. Make certain everybody lifts together, on cue. Another person (or two) needs to be prepared to slide the dolly under the piano.
3. Once the piano is securely on the dolly, steadily move it out of your residence and onto the moving truck. Be careful passing through doorways, navigating around corners and going down staircases. (When possible, use a ramp when moving your piano up or down stairs.)
4. When you unload the piano on the moving van, make sure at least one person is in front of the piano, and can control it during the lift to remove the dolly.

What to Do After Moving the Piano

For those who had to disassemble the piano to move it (for example, by removing the legs), then ask your moving crew to to assist you to reassemble it after it's been carefully moved. Wipe the piano down with a soft cloth or feather duster to get rid of any amassed dust and consider wiping down the outside with a mild solution of soap and water. (It’s definitely wise to leave the inside to a professional piano cleaning company.)

As you can see, moving a piano without the help of a professional moving company in Austin necessitates much planning, coordination, and heavy lifting. The tips above are only the tip of the iceberg!

If you decide that it may be best to leave a move of this degree to professional movers in Austin, call our team of friendly experts at the A-1 Freeman Moving Group today to talk about the specifics.