How to move a piano: uprights, grands and why it's not a DIY job

A piano is the one item in most homes that shouldn't be moved like furniture. It's heavy, top-heavy, delicate inside, and expensive to repair. Here's how professionals move uprights and grands, how to get your home ready, and what to expect afterwards.

Why a piano is different

An upright piano carries most of its weight in the cast-iron plate inside, which makes it tall and top-heavy: tip it and it keeps going. A grand doesn't fit through a doorway on its legs at all. And inside, both are delicate instruments that don't like being knocked.

That's why piano movers bring piano-specific equipment, such as skids, ramps and padding sized to the instrument, and a crew big enough for the stairs, turns and doorways on the route.

How an upright is moved

1. The case is padded on all sides.
2. It's strapped to a piano dolly or skid, and kept upright through the move.
3. Stairs are taken with enough people that the piano is always under control.
4. It's secured in the truck so it can't shift.

How a grand is moved

1. The legs and pedal lyre come off.
2. The body is wrapped and turned on its side.
3. It travels on a padded piano board, strapped down.
4. It's put back together in the new room.

Getting your home ready

• Clear the route at both ends: furniture, rugs and anything on the walls along the way.
• Measure doorways and stair turns, and tell the movers about them, along with how many steps there are at each end.
• Protect the floor where the piano will sit, and decide the spot in advance, away from heaters and direct sun.
• Close and lock the lid if it locks, and remove anything sitting on top.

After the move: tuning

Pianos usually need tuning after a move, because changes in temperature and humidity affect the strings. Most technicians suggest waiting a couple of weeks for the piano to settle into its new room before tuning. Movers move pianos; a piano technician tunes them.

Should you move it yourself?

Unless you have the equipment and several strong, experienced people, no. The risks are injuries, damage to floors and walls, and damage to the piano that costs more than the move. Even a short move between rooms is easier with a piano dolly and a plan.

Moving a piano with us

We move upright and grand pianos across Metro Vancouver with skids, ramps and padding, and a crew matched to the stairs, turns and doorways. Piano moves run $250 to $800 per piano, with the price confirmed before the move. Describe the piano and both homes when you call. See piano moving, and our guide to how long a move takes if the piano is part of a full house move.

Call 604-348-7640 or get a quote.