The Best Way to Move a Piano Without a Moving Company

By Julie DeLong, Oil Capitol Relocation 

Employing professional movers in Little Rock is always the recommended option; yet you might be able to move a piano without their assistance, provided you have the proper equipment, and a sufficient number of helpers. Should you chose to go the DIY route, here are the basics you should know:

What to Do Before Moving the Piano

Moving a piano necessitates some serious prepatory work. Here are a few of the foremost tasks to take care of before you begin moving one:

1. Find the proper moving supplies and materials. For example, you must have plenty of moving blankets to use to protect the piano during the move. You'll need a dolly sufficient for handling the piano's weight. If you have a grand piano, you'll also need to rent a piano skid board from a local moving company. (Do not be surprised if you end up paying hundreds of dollars to use one!)
2. Create a team. At the bare minimum, you need to have four strong, capable people there to aid you with the move. It is more ideal when you can enlist pals or family members who have experience moving heavy objects. Be sure to have plenty of pizza on hand for "motivation!"
3. Measure the appropriate doorways, stairways, and hallways. It is very important to measure the path through which your piano will need to travel before the actual move. You don't want to get your piano jammed in a tricky spot, and risk damaging it when you attempt to get it out!

What to Do While Moving the Piano

There you will find a few important items you need to remember through the actual move. These include the following:

1. Wrap the piano keys, pedals, lid, and body up tightly with proper materials (e.g., bubble wrap, foam packing sheets, blankets, etc.).
2. Arrange your moving team set to lift the piano. Make sure they all lifts together, on cue. Another person (or two) should be set to position the dolly beneath the piano.
3. Once the piano is securely on the dolly, steadily maneuver it out of your home and onto the moving truck. Be cautious going through doorways, going around corners and going down staircases. (If at all possible, utilize a ramp when moving your piano up or down a stairway.)
4. When you unload the piano on the moving van, be sure at least one person is in front of the piano, and has control of 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 instance, by removing the legs), then ask your moving crew to to assist you to reassemble it as soon as it's been carefully relocated. Wipe the piano down with a soft cloth or feather duster to eliminate all amassed dust and consider wiping down the outside with a mild solution of soap and water. (It is advisable to leave the interior to a professional piano cleaning company.)

As you can tell, moving a piano without the aid of a professional moving company in Little Rock requires much organization, coordination, and heavy lifting. The guidelines in this post are only the tip of the iceberg!

If you reach the conclusion that it may be best to leave a move of this degree to professional movers in Little Rock, reach out to our team of friendly experts at the Oil Capitol Relocation today to go over the details.