A piano is a study in juxtaposition. It’s a giant, hulking piece of furniture that can weigh several hundred pounds, yet it is an instrument full of delicate pieces that require the greatest of care when handling. Moving your piano across the country is an endeavor that takes planning, a tight strategy, and courage. These five tips will help you safely get your beautiful instrument from one point to the next.
1. Get Help
Moving your piano across the country is not a task you can undertake on your own. This requires you to either avail yourself of the goodwill of your friends, or hire a moving company, like these San Diego long distance movers, to do the heavy lifting. Whichever route you choose, be sure you repay the hard work of your helpers. Friends always appreciate a good meal and wine, while movers love the generosity of a healthy tip.
2. Take Measurements
Before you undertake the move, measure every angle of your piano. You will need to know the exact dimensions of the instrument as well as the measurements of any doors or windows through which the piano will pass. Do not forget to include the extra bulk that packaging will add to the final measurements. Measuring ahead of time will help you avoid any unexpected problems that could end up costing a lot of time and money.
3. Arrange For Special Equipment
When moving an object as heavy as a piano, you will need a few special tools to help you. At a minimum, you will need a piano dolly, ramp and at least three people. If the move is more complicated, such as when the piano is above stairs and too large to go down the stairs easily, you may need a block and tackle system to lower it out of a window.
4. Wrap It Up
Your piano is in for a bumpy journey when you move it across the country. You need to secure your instrument so that it arrives at its destination in the same condition it left. To do this, remove any moving parts, and wrap them separately. Protect all exposed strings and hammers with a thick piece of cardboard. Complete the packing by wrapping moving blankets around the exposed parts. This will prevent the piano’s finish from becoming damaged.
5. Go Slowly
Moving is a time of unending flurried activity, but it is important to slow down when it comes to your piano. If you try to rush the process, you may end up with a damaged or broken instrument. Slow and steady is best practice when it comes to moving your piano across the country.
Following these golden rules will help you move your piano safely from one end of the country to the other. That is one less thing to worry about during a very stressful time.