Wichita Falls Moving Blog - Tips, Tricks, and Insider Info
February 09, 2024

How to Move a Piano Without a Moving Company

moving a pianoBy Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

It's no shock that moving a piano is one of the more difficult and most complex chores that people face during a move. Since pianos might weigh hundreds, or thousands of pounds, it’s not a shock that a lot of (if not the majority) folks decide to employ a professional moving company in Wichita Falls to carry out the heavy lifting for them (really).
 

Working with professional movers in Wichita Falls is most always the recommended choice; yet you could be able to move the piano without their assistance, given you have the correct equipment, and a sufficient number of helpers. In the event you decide to go the DIY route, following are the basics you need to know:

What to Do Prior to Relocating the Piano

Relocating a piano calls for quite a bit of prepatory work. Here are some of the main things to plan before you commence moving one:

  1. Gather the proper moving supplies and materials. For instance, you must have lots of moving blankets available to protect the piano during the relocation. You'll need a dolly sufficient for handling the piano's weight. If you have a grand piano, you may also need to rent a piano skid board from a local moving company. (Do not be surprised if you end up spending hundreds of dollars to use one!)
  2. Form a team. At the very least, you ought to have four strong, capable people on hand to help you with the move. It is even better when you can enlist friends or family members who have experience moving heavy objects. Be sure to have lots of pizza on hand for "motivation!"
  3. Measure the appropriate doorways, stairways, and hallways. It’s very important to measure the path through which your piano will be transported before the actual move. You certainly won’t want to get your piano stuck in a tricky spot, and risk damaging it as you make an effort to get it out!

What to Do As you Move the Piano

Listed here are several important things you should keep in mind through the actual move. These include the following:

  1. Wrap the piano keys, pedals, lid, and body up tightly with proper materials (e.g., bubble wrap, foam packing sheets, blankets, and so forth).
  2. Get your moving team ready to lift the piano. Make certain everyone lifts together, on cue. Another person (or two) should be ready to position the dolly under the piano.
  3. After the piano is securely on the dolly, in a controlled manner move it out of your house and into the moving van. Be careful going through doorways, going around corners and going down staircases. (If at all possible, utilize a ramp when moving your piano up or down a stairway.)
  4. When you unload the piano on the truck, make sure at least one person is in front of the piano, and has control of it during the lift to free up the dolly.

What to Do After Moving the Piano

If you had to take apart the piano to move it (for example, by removing the legs), then ask your moving crew to to assist you to reassemble it as soon as it has been safely relocated. Wipe the piano down with a soft cloth or feather duster to get rid of any accumulated dust and think about wiping down the outside with a mild solution of soap and water. (It is best to leave the interior to a professional piano cleaning company.)

As you can tell, moving a piano without the help of a professional moving company in Wichita Falls takes planning, coordination, and heavy lifting. The suggestions in this post are only the tip of the iceberg!

If you reach the conclusion that it may be advisable to leave a move of this degree to professional movers in Wichita Falls, reach out to our team of friendly experts at the A-1 Freeman Moving Group today to talk about the details.

 

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