When it comes to moving a baby grand piano, experience matters. Even a short move requires special equipment.
Start by clearing a path through your home and laying down protective coverings for floors and doorways. Plan ahead by measuring the dimensions of hallways, doors, and stairwells to ensure your piano will fit. Contact Baby Grand Piano Moving Charleston for professional help.
The most important thing to remember when moving a piano is to take the time to properly prepare it for travel. A well-prepared piano will be less likely to experience damage during the move, and it will also allow the instrument to adjust to its new environment more easily. The first step in this process is to make sure that the piano is in good condition, which means tuning it and repairing any damage that may have occurred during the move or storage. Next, it is essential to protect the piano from changes in temperature and humidity, as these conditions can affect how well a piano plays.
A piano is a large and bulky item that requires special care when packing and moving. This is especially true for a baby grand piano, which is more fragile and has a different construction than an upright piano. This makes it important to follow a few basic tips when packing and moving a baby grand piano to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
Organize a team: Before moving day, organize a group of strong individuals to help you move the piano. Having at least four people on hand will give you the support that you need to maneuver the piano through tight spaces and stairwells. It is also important to have a plan for keeping children and pets out of the way during the move.
Protect the piano: Choose thick moving blankets to cover the entire body of the piano and secure them with ratchet straps or heavy-duty tape. Wrap the pedals and keyboard in smaller blankets for additional protection. You can also purchase a padded cover for the piano, which will provide extra padding and will help to prevent scratches and other damages.
Plan your route: Before the move, carefully map out the route from the piano’s current location to the truck and then from the truck to its destination in the new home. Take the time to measure doorways, hallways, and stairwells to ensure that the piano will fit through them. This will avoid a costly and stressful surprise on the day of the move.
Moving
Unlike most other furniture, pianos require special handling during relocation to prevent damage. They’re large, bulky, and top-heavy, with delicate internal components and polished surfaces that are vulnerable to scratches and scrapes. Attempting to move a piano without the right tools and knowledge can result in expensive repairs or injury. To avoid this, hire a team of professional movers to handle the relocation. A local moving company will come to your home or business, take measurements, and provide a quote based on the piano’s weight and dimensions.
The cost to move a baby grand piano varies based on the distance between the pickup and delivery locations, the extra services required (disassembly, crating, hoisting, etc.), and the stairs or other obstacles that must be overcome. Most movers charge a flat rate for the first hour of service, plus a per-mile mileage fee and a charge for each additional person added to the crew.
When planning a move, prepare the path beforehand by clearing all obstacles. Lay down protective mats or old rugs to prevent scuffs and scratches, and be sure to clear the stairs. Also, make sure there’s enough room in your truck or van to accommodate the piano.
Choosing thick moving blankets or padding is essential for protecting your piano during transportation. Cover the entire surface and corners, taking care to pay special attention to any sharp edges or knobs. Ratchet straps or heavy-duty tape are helpful for securing the padding in place. For a baby grand, consider covering the keys with a smaller blanket or pad to protect them from bumps and scrapes.
Once your piano arrives at its new home, give it a few days to acclimate to the temperature and humidity. Then, schedule a professional tuning. Even subtle shifts in temperature or humidity can affect the sound quality of your piano.
Disassembly
Pianos routinely make movers’ annual list of items that are most frequently damaged during the move process. Practicing proper disassembly, padding and loading techniques can prevent damage, reduce claims expense and improve customer satisfaction.
When moving an upright piano, a large amount of the instrument’s weight is concentrated toward its bottom. A grand piano, however, has the majority of its weight centered on its cast iron harp within the rest of its kidney shape. To properly disassemble and prep a grand piano for moving, first a large heavy blanket or tarp should be draped over the entire instrument. This helps protect the piano and the people handling it from accidental falls.
A piano dolly should be placed underneath the keyboard side of the piano. Once the piano is securely supported, one person should carefully remove the leg from the left front of the instrument. The next person should lift the front of the piano from the dolly. A third person should stand the piano dolly up about 6” and hold it in place while another person unscrews the leg from the piano’s frame.
Once the front leg is removed, the piano can be tipped onto its back upon the piano skid board. At this point the instrument should be 20”- 22” wide, which makes it much easier to maneuver through doorways and hallways. When reassembling the piano after the move, it is recommended to label each set of push rods with a piece of masking tape and number them in sequence (i.e., 1 – 3). This will help ensure that the correct parts are returned to the piano and that they are reassembled in the correct order.
After the piano is loaded into its new home, it should be secured to the dolly with ratchet straps. If the piano is to be rolled up or down stairs, a ramp should be used to avoid unnecessary strain on the legs and wheels. If the piano is to be stored for a long period of time, it should be covered with a thick blanket and securely fastened to the dolly with straps. After the piano is reassembled, it should be tuned by a professional to compensate for vibrations and changes in humidity that occur during transportation.
Reassembly
Professional piano movers know how to handle these delicate, expensive instruments. They have the equipment, including special piano boards and dollies, to keep your baby grand safe from damage. They are also insured, so you can rest assured knowing your investment is protected. They can provide you with a list of services, including disassembly, moving, and storage, or they can customize a package to meet your needs.
Before you start moving your baby grand, make sure the floor is clear of debris and other items. You should also measure the dimensions of all doors, hallways, and staircases that it will need to pass through. This will prevent unforeseen problems during the move. The work you do up front will pay off when it comes time to unload the piano in its new home.
To prepare the piano for transport, start by removing the legs. This may seem complicated, but it can be done quickly if you are prepared. One person should steady the piano while another unscrews the legs, starting with the left leg near the lyre. It’s important to be careful not to lose any screws during this step. Once the legs are removed, the piano can be placed on its side for the duration of the move.
Next, wrap the entire piano in thick blankets or padding to protect it from dents and scratches. The padding should be snug, but not so tight that it is difficult to lift. Be sure to cover the keys and the fallboard, and double-check the coverage for nooks and crannies. Finally, secure the blankets with ratchet straps across at least two points on the piano.
Moving a grand piano is a big job that requires several people. It’s best to hire a professional piano moving service, but if you prefer to do it yourself, there are some things you can do to make the process as smooth and safe as possible. The first step is to remove the legs from the piano and set them on a dolly, which will help you avoid flooring damage. After that, place a skid board underneath the dolly to stop it from sliding off and damaging the case.