Should You Move Your Piano Interstate or Let Professionals to Do It?
If you need to move your family across to the other side of the country, you may be considering your options. You have quite a lot of furniture and other belongings and may think that you can do this by yourself, but you've also got a large piano and are thinking twice about how to shift that. What do you need to take into consideration with something as difficult as a piano, and would it be better to get professional help instead?
1. A Weighty Issue
First things first. Most upright pianos—and especially if they are of some vintage—are very heavy. They're not easy to move even a short distance, and it will undoubtedly be tricky to try and feed this instrument through narrow doorways, up or down steps and onto a moving truck. Your piano could weigh up to 544 kg, so this is not the job for the fainthearted.
2. Heavy but Fragile
In addition to the age, you need to take into account the fragility of some of the interior components, especially the "harp" which can often be made from cast iron and holds the strings in place. These will not take too kindly to bumping and knocking; if you cause any damage, you may be faced with an expensive repair bill.
3. Properly Equipped
It's certainly not advisable to use any old packing materials that may be lying around in the garage. You'll also want to commission the help of several strong people if you want to try and avoid damaging the piano and cut down the risk of injury. You will also have to plan each part of your move very carefully and understand that you cannot rush this or you will simply be asking for trouble.
4. A Definite No-No
People think that they can simply roll a piano on the castors beneath, but they are not meant to endure the forces involved and will almost certainly snap off as soon as you reach any type of obstacle. This could cause damage to the piano and also to the flooring beneath.
5. Tools and Equipment
At the very least, you may have to rent some professional tools of the trade. You may have to set up ramps to clear any steps or even lay down plywood so you can traverse any grass, cobblestones or similar.
6. By Far the Best Solution
On the other hand, you may be much better off calling in professional movers who can transport your piano across the country instead. They will have experience moving an instrument like this, be able to anticipate problems and have a plan in place upfront. They'll also make sure that the piano is not damaged during the road journey and will secure it in place correctly. Crucially, they will also have insurance to cover them in the event of any incident.
If you have more questions, contact interstate removal services.
