Piano Moving
March 9, 2010 - Know the detailed piano moving procedure adopted by the specialty movers- the professional piano moving companies. Also know what points should the piano owner consider for getting the right quote for moving a piano.
Almost all the professional piano moving companies adopt more or less similar process for moving a piano. These professional piano movers know the right techniques of packing and carrying the piano for a zero damage piano moving. They have specialized piano moving equipment with the help of which they carry the operation of moving a piano.
Usual Method for Moving a Piano
A piano is generally placed on a special skid known as a piano board. Quilted moving pads are used to cover the piano and then it is strapped to the board. If the piano has to be moved over a leveled surface, it is placed on a piano dolly (a small platform on wheels). The dolly is then rolled towards a truck or a stairway, whatever the case may be. After reaching the stairway, the dolly is removed and the piano is slid slowly in a controlled manner, maintaining its balance, up or down the stairs. Ramps are used for moving and placing the piano onto the trucks.
Moving a Grand Piano
If the piano to be moved is a grand piano, it is moved on its side (straight side down). Removable parts are detached from the piano. First of all, the lid and the pedal lyre are removed. Then the leg at the straight side of the piano is removed. After that the piano is carefully lowered down to be placed on the piano board. The remaining two legs are also removed after which, the piano is covered with moving pads, secured with stretch wrap and strapped to the board. As a grand piano is quite thin when compared to an upright piano, it can be carried through a door or other opening quite easily.
Moving a Piano from a Higher Floor Apartment
If a piano has to be moved from an apartment that is at a higher floor, it becomes very difficult to carry it through the flights. A freight elevator supporting a piano is of great help in such a situation. However, if there is no such elevator available, the piano movers like to hoist the piano with the help of a crane through a balcony, window or any other opening.
Points to Consider Before Hiring a Piano Mover
When it is a local moving, a representative from the piano moving company comes to inspect the moving location (both to and from) to adjudge the conditions and plan for moving piano. However, this type of activity is not possible in a long distance moving, particularly for the place where the piano has to be moved. In such cases, it is the client's responsibility to ensure that the piano fits in the new location and it would not have to be hoisted in a window that is too small, or carried through a stairway with too low an overhang, or moved around a corner that is too tight. If the piano could not fit in the new place and has to be brought back, then the client is charged for carrying the piano to any other place including
self storage or the old destination. Therefore, one should always know certain things before hiring a piano moving company so that s/he may satisfactorily answer the queries of the piano movers beforhand. Such things include the following information among others.
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Type of piano. Whether it is an upright or a grand piano?
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Size of the piano. Both the types of piano are measured in a different way. An upright piano is measured by height, that is from floor to lid whereas a grand piano is measured by the longest length- from keyboard to curve in bow end.
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Full address (with postal codes) of both the places- from where the piano is to be picked and of the place where it has to be dropped by the piano movers.
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How many flights of stairs are there at both the places- originating site and destination of the piano? The count of steps on the stairs as well. Whether the stairs are straight, spiraled, or curved? Turns, if any, in the middle or getting off the stairs. Al lthis information will have to be given to the piano movers.
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Whether the client intends to place any time restraints? Placing a time restraint on moving can increase the piano moving costs.
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If there is grass across the home? For piano movers, carrying the piano across grass is similar to carrying it up a flight of stairs.
The answers to these questions will not only help the professional piano movers in planning a timely and smooth piano moving operation but also will help the actual mover (the client) in getting the right quote for piano moving.
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