You might have seen this in cartoons or Laurel and Hardy skits and, if you did, you probably laughed about it. Because there’s just something about moving a piano that makes people roar with laughter. However, when it comes to doing it in real life, the laughter ceases and you’re faced with quite a daunting task. This is why, if you need to know how to move a piano, you’ve come to the right place. Here is the safe and easy way to do it, accidents and damage free.

Moving a piano – the basics

The first thing you need to know about moving a piano is its weight. You are about to handle a massive musical instrument that will get damaged at the slightest hesitation or fault on your part, so knowing what you’re faced with is basically preparing for the battle. Small upright pianos usually weigh between 300 and 400 lbs. The big upright ones vary from 500 to 800 lbs., while grand pianos run between 500 and 1200 lbs.

The second thing that should be on your list of items you need to figure out is whether to hire professional piano movers or do it yourself. Because of its size, a piano can pose veritable safety threats. Professional movers will come equipped with special tools that will make the process easy, fast, and safe.

How to move an upright piano in 4 easy steps

The most common type of piano known today, the upright can be tricky to move without causing it any damage. Here is the easiest way, in 4 main steps.

Step 1. Know the piano you are moving

The upright is usually 58 inches wide. There are two models, the small upright and the large one, but the moving method is the same. The only things that differentiate them and that you must take into consideration is their weight and center of gravity. The small weighs between 400 and 600 pounds while the big one can go up to half a ton. This is why it’s called a ‘full vertical’ and why it’s probably best if you call in some professional help.

As far as their center of gravity goes, the small one’s is lower, coming to about 4 feet off the ground, while the larger one’s comes to 5 feet off the ground.

Step 2. Carefully plan your route

Think about what path you will take towards the moving vehicle. If you need to move the piano through several rooms, measure the doors first to make sure the musical instrument fits. If there are stairs involved, consider a ramp. Try to park the vehicle that will transport the piano as close to the exit as possible, so as not to have to carry it down the street, which might be crowded and filled with obstacles.

As far as how many people you will need to lift it goes, divide the piano’s weight as follows – 100 pounds per person. Everyone must be wearing thick leather gloves, as their palms will get sweaty and slip off the piano’s lacquered surface. If possible, have everyone wear weightlifting support belts as well, to ensure no one hurts their back in the process.

Step 3. Prepare the piano itself for the big move

You need to tilt the piano onto a dolly. It’s simply too big and too heavy to be lifted and carried away. When doing this, be careful not to rely on gravity for help. Use manpower from beginning to end. Once you’ve secured it onto the wide dolly, wrap it in blankets.

Step 4. Move the piano as gently and slowly as you can

Although the piano is secured onto the dolly, do not allow your moving crew to let go of it at any time. Remember any mistake you make, as small as it may be, can have disastrous consequences on both the people and the instrument. Should you feel the piano is unbalanced at any time, stop immediately and slowly put it back in its place.

How to move a baby grand piano in four easy steps

The steps required to move a baby grand piano are the same as for an upright one. However, the details are different, and it’s a good idea for you to know them. Here they are.

Step 1. Know the piano you are moving

Unlike the upright, the classical grand piano is both very wide and very long. Unfortunately, this makes them even harder to move. Even the small ones, which weigh a minimum of 500 pounds, are still tricky, because of the overall weight and shape. This is one of the main reasons you don’t see many grand pianos in private homes.

Step 2. Carefully plan your route

Just the same as with the upright piano, you need to clean the route you are going to take. Moving all the furniture that might block the path, pets, and people whom you might cross ways with in the process. You need to check that all the doors are both wide and tall enough to accommodate your piano plus a few inches to spare. Should the musical instrument prove too deep to fit through your doors without these additional inches, you will need to call in professional help.

Step 3. Prepare the piano itself for the big move

Unfortunately, this is where things get really complicated, much more so than with the upright. You will need to mount it onto a rolling skid board. Take as many people as you can find to help you with this move. Have them all lift the bass corner while you unscrew the supporting leg. Carefully wrap it in a blanket and proceed to the next legs. When finished, wrap the body in thick blankets as well, as tightly as you can.

Hoist it on the rolling skid board and divide your crew in two. Half of them will push from the end while the other half will pull from the front. Absolutely no hurrying is allowed. Remember that the grand piano is heavier towards the bass end.

How much does it cost to move a piano?

Should you decide to hire help so as to safely move your precious musical instrument, there will be some costs. Movers are usually paid by the hour, taking the following criteria into consideration.

• The type of piano you are trying to relocate
• The distance between the two places
• The difficulty of the move itself, due to stairs, grass patches, tight corners, etc.
• The number of people it takes to move it
• The season you are moving it in, seeing as it’s a lot more difficult to move it in winter time, for example
• The waiting time that the whole process might take.

Depending on the area you live in, here are some estimated moving prices.

• Orange County, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Sacramento, Utah, Tampa Bay – according to yelp.com, moving a piano in this area of the country will cost you $150 plus $3 per step, on average
• New York City (Brooklyn included), Pittsburgh, Kansas MO, Boston, Philadelphia, Raleigh NC, Charlotte NC, Baltimore – moving a piano in this area will cost you an average of $175
• Chicago, St Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Tacoma – in this part of the country you will have to pay some $125 to $250 for an upright piano and $600 for a baby grand.
• Seattle – moving a piano in Seattle in a house with a single flight of stairs will cost you $250
• Denver – reviews show how in Denver, the moving of this musical instrument is worth an average of $188.
• Austin, Dallas, TX, Albuquerque – the local price in Texas and its surrounding areas can come to $225
• Minneapolis – this part of the country doesn’t come cheap since users report paying up to $600 for a quality move
• Ontario – although there are many variables to take into account, moving a piano in Ontario comes close to $200

Hiring professional help to secure moving your piano fast and easy is not cheap. This is why many people chose to do it themselves, accompanied by friends and family. However, while pondering on how to move a piano yourself, make sure you take into consideration all the advice and details we’ve put at your disposal in this guide.

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3