If you are moving a baby grand piano, there’s much to think about and plan for. Whether hiring professional Piano Movers North Charleston SC or taking on the task yourself, careful preparation is the key to keeping your piano safe. Start by scouting out your new home and measuring doorways, staircases and hallways to determine how the piano will fit.
Buying a Piano
If you’re considering buying a baby grand piano, it is important to do your research. This is a large investment and it’s not something you want to rush into. A well-chosen piano can bring you joy for years to come. If possible, you should visit a couple of local dealers with a variety of options available. This will allow you to try out different pianos, become familiar with local prices and make a confident choice that suits your needs.
Once you’ve decided on a piano, the next step is to find a mover that can transport it safely. You’ll need to consider factors like the type of piano, the distance of the move and the time of year. For example, moving a piano in the winter may cost more because of inclement weather.
The type of piano also influences the shipping costs. Upright pianos can be rolled to another room in your house, but grand pianos must be disassembled for transportation. This process takes time and requires specialized equipment to complete. The more difficult the job, the higher the shipping costs will be.
It’s important to note that pianos should only be shipped by professional movers and not by standard house movers. They are delicate instruments that require special care. Using a shipper that doesn’t have a background in moving pianos can lead to serious damage and costly repairs.
In addition to experience, a good piano mover will have the proper tools for the job. This includes dollies to protect the piano, packing tape and moving pads. They should also have a plan in place for how they will move each type of piano and be prepared to adjust it as needed.
Be aware of scam artists who pose as professional piano movers. They often use fake websites and social media profiles to lure people into their traps. These scams can be extremely complicated to weed out, but there are some telltale signs. For instance, if you’re offered a very low price for a piano that seems too good to be true, it likely is.
Preparing for the Move
Before moving day, it is important to keep the piano away from boxes, other items, and children. Putting anything on top of the piano will cause scratches and may damage the instrument. It is also a good idea to educate family members on how to properly handle the piano, especially if they are going to be helping to move it.
One of the best ways to prevent damage during a move is to have it professionally disassembled and wrapped. Professional piano movers have the dollies, straps, and other tools necessary to protect the piano during the moving process. They can also provide a piano board, or skid, to help move the instrument on and off of the truck and into your new home.
To prepare the piano for moving, first remove any removable parts such as the music rack and the lid. Then wrap the entire piano in moving blankets, making sure to cover it completely and tape them securely in place. Next, a team of two or three people should help lift the piano onto its piano board and secure it with straps. A piano skid is an elongated piece of wood with wheels designed specifically to hold the body of a grand or baby grand piano.
Once the piano is on its dolly, it is ready to be wheeled to the truck. Make sure that the front of the dolly is facing the back of the truck and that ratchet straps are attached to prevent the piano from rolling or sliding during transit.
Once the piano is in its new home, you’ll need to reassemble any legs or pedals that were removed before the move and replace the lid. It is also a good idea to have the piano tuned after it moves, as it may not sound the same in its new environment. It is important to keep in mind that a baby grand piano is an expensive investment, so it’s essential to take the time to select a mover who will treat it with care and respect. While there are many companies that offer piano moving services, not all of them are qualified professionals. Look for a company that has a lot of experience and an excellent track record.
Choosing a Mover
Before choosing a mover, make sure the moving company is qualified to handle your baby grand piano. They should have years of experience with local, long-distance, and commercial moves. Additionally, they should be licensed and insured. You can also ask for references from other customers to see if they are happy with the service they received. Moreover, you can check their reviews online. The company with a higher number of positive reviews is more likely to provide you with excellent services.
It is important to remember that baby grand pianos are much heavier than upright pianos and require more people and specialized equipment to move. Additionally, they often need to be disassembled in order to be transported safely from one location to another. As a result, they usually cost more to move than other types of household furniture.
Some people try to save money on a move by doing it themselves. However, it’s extremely risky to attempt a DIY move with a piano. These delicate instruments weigh hundreds of pounds and are asymmetrical, making them difficult to maneuver. In addition, they can be easily damaged by a single wrong step.
If you want to save money, consider hiring a professional mover who specializes in pianos and other household furniture. Moreover, look for an affordable moving service near you that offers a flat rate and does not charge for mileage or fuel.
You should also talk to your mover about any special requests you have for the service. For example, you may need them to protect your piano from extreme heat or cold during the relocation. In addition, you might need a large enough truck to transport your instrument.
In addition, you should also scout out the new location before you decide to move your piano. This way, you will know whether your piano can fit in the doorways and hallways of your new home. You should also take note of any stairs that will need to be navigated, and make sure your movers have the proper equipment for these obstacles. Finally, you should make sure your movers have the proper insurance to cover the cost of the move.
Moving the Piano
Moving a piano is a huge project that requires the help of multiple people. When hiring movers, make sure that they have experience with handling large furniture and have the proper tools to do the job safely. You should also take the time to measure all of the spaces through which the piano will need to pass, including doors, staircases, and hallways. This will allow you to ensure that the piano can fit through all of these areas without any issues.
Before moving the piano, it is important to protect it from damage by covering it in blankets or another padded material. Be sure that the corners are covered, too; this will prevent the piano from scratching walls along its route. Choose blankets or other padded materials that are thick enough to prevent scratches and dents, but not so heavy that they will add significant weight to the piano.
Next, remove the lid hinge pins from the inside of the piano and unwind them from their plate. This will enable you to lift the lid off of the piano without causing any harm to it or the floor beneath it. Once the lid is off of the piano, wrap it in a few different blankets to protect it from any accidental contact during the move.
Remove the pedals and legs from the piano, wrapping each in a separate blanket to keep them safe during transport. Be careful when removing the legs to avoid any sharp corners. Once the piano is fully padded, place it on a dolly and have several people support it while lifting it. The movers should begin lifting from a squatting position, letting their leg muscles do most of the work instead of their backs.
Lastly, be sure to prepare the new space for the piano ahead of time by ensuring that it is free from any obstructions or furniture. Also, clear a path from the piano to its new location so that the movers can maneuver it easily. This will save you a lot of money in the long run, as it will eliminate the need to pay for extra services like dismantling or tuning the piano after the move.