Moving a piano: tips for a safe transport
A piano is heavy, top-heavy and delicate, so it needs careful handling. Good preparation and accurate measurements help reduce the risk of damage. After the move, let the piano adjust to the new room climate before having it tuned.
In short
- A piano should never be carried alone or just with friends, because it is heavy and top-heavy.
- The narrowest point in the stairwell decides whether a piano will fit into the apartment without an external furniture hoist.
- For transport, a grand piano is usually laid on its side after the legs and pedal lyre have been removed.
- After a move, a piano should only be tuned once it has had a few days to a few weeks to adjust to the new room climate.
Upright or grand: what is the difference when moving?
Before you plan anything, you should know exactly which instrument you have. Its design and weight determine the technique, the crew and the equipment needed.
1.Uprights stay upright, grands are laid down
An upright piano is moved in an upright position. With a grand piano, the legs and pedal lyre are usually removed, and the body is laid on its side and secured on a special piano board (skid).
2.Look up the weight, don't guess it
Even an upright piano can weigh several hundred kilograms, and grand pianos are considerably heavier depending on the model. Reliable figures come from the maker and model name, not from gut feeling.
3.Note the model and serial number
The maker, model and serial number are usually found inside the instrument, for example under the lid. With this information, a specialist company can plan the weight, crew and equipment realistically.
4.A digital piano is not a piano
A digital piano is light and can usually be packed like a normal piece of furniture. The tips on this page apply to acoustic upright and grand pianos.
Will the piano fit through the stairwell? How to measure properly
Whether a piano will get through the building is decided not by the widest point but by the narrowest point along the entire route, in both the old and the new home.
1.Measure the whole route
Measure door widths, hallways, the width of the stairwell, landings and, if there is one, the inside dimensions of the lift. Also note any steps in front of the building and level changes in the courtyard.
2.Turns and landings are the critical points
In narrow or winding stairwells, a piano often cannot be turned, even if the stairs themselves are wide enough. Photos of every turn help with the assessment.
3.Clarify alternatives early
If the instrument will not fit through the stairwell, moving it through a window with an external furniture hoist or a crane may be an option, depending on the building. This needs to be planned in good time.
4.Consider the floor's load capacity
The new spot must be able to bear the weight permanently. With old wooden floors or galleries, ask an expert if in doubt.
How is a piano moved safely on moving day?
On moving day, protection, clear routes and the right equipment are what count. The actual work belongs in the hands of an experienced team.
1.Don't carry it yourself
Pianos have a high centre of gravity and can tip over. Without carrying straps, piano dollies and experience, you risk injuries as well as damage to the instrument and the stairwell.
2.Secure the lid and fallboard
Lock the lid and the fallboard (key cover) if there is a key, or have them secured. Keep the key somewhere safe.
3.Don't roll it on its own casters
The small casters on a piano are meant at most for shifting it slightly. Over longer distances they damage both the floor and the instrument.
4.Protect the casework and the floor
Blankets, corner protectors and floor protection boards prevent scratches. High-gloss finishes are especially delicate and should be covered completely.
5.Clear the route and document the condition
Remove rugs, plants and shoes from the hallway and stairwell. Photograph the instrument from all sides before the move so that any existing scratches are on record.
When should a piano be tuned after a move?
The move and the new room climate affect the wood, the strings and the tuning. That is why the instrument needs some rest after the move.
1.Let it acclimatise first, then tune
Leave the piano in its new room for a few days to a few weeks before having it tuned. Exactly how long depends on the instrument and the room climate, so ask your piano tuner.
2.Tuning is a job for the piano tuner
Tuning is not part of the move; it is the job of a piano tuner. Ideally, book the appointment while you are planning the move.
3.Choose the right spot
Don't place the piano right next to radiators, stoves, draughty windows or exterior doors, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
4.Keep humidity balanced
Very dry or very humid air harms the wood and how well the piano holds its tuning. A hygrometer shows whether the room climate is right.
5.Check on delivery
Compare the instrument with your photos and test the keys and pedals. Note and report anything unusual straight away.
What does the cost of moving a piano depend on?
Flat-rate prices say little when it comes to moving a piano. A reliable quote is only possible once the key factors are known.
1.Instrument and weight
A grand piano needs more crew, time and specialist equipment than an upright. Models also differ considerably within each type.
2.Floor, lift and stairwell
How many floors there are, whether a suitable lift is available and how narrow the stairwell is have the biggest impact on the effort involved.
3.Distance and access
The distance, the parking situation at both addresses and long carrying routes also play a role.
4.Additional work
An external furniture hoist or a crane, dismantling a grand piano or interim storage all increase the effort. With photos, measurements or an on-site survey, you will get a dependable quote.
Common mistakes
Treating the piano like a piece of furniture. Its weight, centre of gravity and sensitivity call for separate planning and suitable equipment.
Carrying it yourself with friends. The risk to backs, fingers, the stairwell and the instrument is high, even over short distances.
Not measuring the stairwell and lift. Finding out on moving day that the piano won't fit around the bend costs time and means looking for an alternative at short notice.
Rolling it through the home on its own casters. The small casters are not made for moving routes and quickly leave marks on the floor.
Having it tuned right after the move. As long as the instrument is still adjusting to the room climate, the tuning often won't hold for long.
Putting the piano next to a radiator. Heat and dry air take their toll on the wood and make the instrument go out of tune faster.
No photos before the move. Without documentation, it is hard to establish later whether a scratch is new or was already there.
Incomplete details in the request. If the piano type, floor or lift details are missing, the quote often won't match the actual effort involved.
Checklist before moving day
- Clarify the type (upright or grand) and note the maker, model and serial number.
- Find out the weight from the model details rather than guessing.
- Measure doors, hallways, stairwell, landings and lift in both the old and the new home.
- Take photos of the instrument, the stairwell and any tight turns.
- Request a quote with all the details, and arrange an on-site survey for difficult routes.
- Clarify whether an external furniture hoist or crane might be needed.
- Organise parking in front of both addresses.
- Lock or secure the lid and fallboard, and keep the key safe.
- Remove sheet music, lamps and decorations from the instrument.
- Clear the walkways and choose a new spot away from radiators and sunlight.
- Book the piano tuner for a few days to a few weeks after the move.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move a piano myself?
This is not advisable. Pianos are heavy and top-heavy; without carrying straps, piano dollies and experience, you risk injury and damage. Having it moved by a specialist company is safer.
What do I need to measure before moving a piano?
Measure door widths, hallways, the width of the stairwell, landings and turns, as well as the inside dimensions of the lift, in both the old and the new home. The narrowest point is what decides.
What if the piano won't fit through the stairwell?
Depending on the building, the instrument can be moved through a window using an external furniture hoist or a crane. This should be discussed and planned with the moving company in advance.
Is a grand piano moved differently from an upright?
Yes. With a grand piano, the legs and pedal lyre are usually removed, and the body is laid on its side and secured on a piano board. An upright piano is moved upright.
When should I have my piano tuned after a move?
Only once it has had a few days to a few weeks to adjust to the new room climate. It is best to agree on the exact timing with your piano tuner.
What does the cost of moving a piano depend on?
Mainly on the type and weight, the floor, lift and stairwell, the distance and access, and any additional work such as an external furniture hoist. You get a reliable quote with photos and measurements or after an on-site survey.
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