How to Move a Piano Without a Moving Company

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Hiring professional movers in Denver is always the suggested course of action; yet you could be able to move a piano without their support, provided you have the proper equipment, and plenty of helpers. If you decide to go the DIY route, below are the basics you should know:

What to Do Prior to Moving the Piano

Moving a piano necessitates plenty of prepatory work. Here are a few of the main tasks to plan before you begin moving one:

1. Get the right moving supplies and materials. For instance, you need to have plenty of moving blankets available to protect the piano during the relocation. You'll need a dolly rated for handling the piano's weight. For a grand piano, you'll also need to rent a piano skid board from a local moving company. (Don't be shocked if you wind up spending hundreds of dollars to rent one!)
2. Assemble a team. At the very least, you need to have four strong, able-bodied people available to aid you with the move. It is even better when you can find pals or family members who have experience moving awkward items. Be sure to have plenty of pizza on hand for "motivation!"
3. Measure the appropriate passages. It is very vital to measure the passageway through which your piano will be transported ahead of the actual move. You don't want to get your piano wedged in a tricky position, and chance damaging it while you try to get it unstuck!

What to Do As you Move the Piano

There are a few essential items you don’t want to forget through the actual move. These include the following:

1. Wrap the piano keys, pedals, lid, and body up tightly with suitable materials (e.g., bubble wrap, foam packing sheets, blankets, etc.).
2. Assemble your moving team ready to lift the piano. Be sure they all lifts at the same time, on cue. Another person (or two) must be set to slip the dolly underneath the piano.
3. Once the piano is securely on the dolly, steadily maneuver it out of your residence and onto the moving van. Be cautious maneuvering through doorways, navigating around corners and going down staircases. (When possible, utilize a ramp when moving your piano up or down a stairway.)
4. When you unload the piano on the moving van, make sure at a minimum one person is in front of the piano, and can control it during the lift to free up the dolly.

What to Do After Moving the Piano

In the event 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 once it's been carefully moved. Wipe the piano down with a soft cloth or feather duster to eliminate all gathered dust and consider wiping down the exterior with a mild solution of soap and water. (It’s definitely best to leave the inside to a professional piano cleaning company.)

As you can tell, moving a piano devoid of the assistance of a professional moving company in Denver takes lots of organization, coordination, and hard work. The suggestions above are only the tip of the iceberg!

If you feel that it may be better to leave a move of this magnitude to professional movers in Denver, contact our team of friendly experts at the A-1 Freeman Moving Group today to go over the details.