How To Move a Piano

Moving a piano can be an expensive and daunting task, especially in tight spaces or if stairs are involved. This is why we recommend utilizing one of the best long-distance moving companies that employ piano moving specialists with expert training to move these intricate instruments properly and safely.

Hiring professionals can be the safest and most cost-effective approach if you are already paying for a full-service mover—yet moving an upright, baby grand, or grand piano is possible without professional help. If you decide to go the DIY route, our guide covers everything you need to know before tackling this project, including a list of necessary equipment, safety tips, and more.

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This video from The Home Depot offers some tips for moving a piano yourself.

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Moving a Piano

Once you’re prepared and ready to move the piano, take note of your piano type and skip ahead to the corresponding steps based on whether you are moving a vertical or grand piano.

Moving a Spinet, Console, Studio, or Upright Vertical Piano

Follow these steps to move a vertical piano.

1. Wrap the Piano

Close the keyboard lid and, if possible, lock it. This will protect the keys. If the keyboard lid does not lock, you can tape it shut. Be careful what tape you use to avoid damaging the finish. According to The Home Depot, packing tape is recommended. Cover the pedals with plastic or bubble wrap and secure the top lid.

Next, wrap the piano with blankets or other padding. Ensure the wrapping is thick enough to protect the piano—especially its corners—from bumps and scrapes. You can secure the blankets with packing tape, bungee cords, or ratchet straps. Alternatively, you can wrap the piano in plastic to hold the blankets in place.

2. Assign Positions

Upright pianos can weigh over 500 pounds, so four people is ideal—two bearing the weight and two guiding the movement to the moving van or truck. An additional helper should be ready to slide the dolly under the piano and guide the lifters.

3. Load the Dolly

Slide a lifting strap under each end of the piano. With a team of four, each person holds one end of a strap, the objective being a different person supports each corner. Once everyone is in place, proceed to lift the piano onto the hand truck or dolly.

Be mindful that in some circumstances, it may be necessary to carry the piano outside before loading it onto the dolly. It may be wise to consider hiring a professional, as this can greatly increase the risk of damage or bodily injury.

4. Transfer to the Truck

Once the piano is secured on the dolly, you can proceed to roll it into the truck. Most moving trucks have a ramp to make this process easier. If you are moving multiple items, the piano should be loaded into the truck first and placed against the back wall. Use ratchet straps to prevent the piano from rolling, sliding, or tipping during transit.

5. Move to Your New Home

Drive the truck slowly and carefully to your destination. Avoid curves and dips in the road as this may cause the piano to shift. Once safely there and on a level surface, unload the piano using the dolly. Make use of the lifting straps to carry the piano to its new location. Take the same precautions for clearing pathways and removing obstacles as you did when moving the piano out of your old home.

Moving a Grand Piano

Follow these steps to move a grand or baby grand piano.

1. Gather Your Team

Due to the heaviness of the grand piano and because of its extended length, we recommend having a five-person team assembled and prepared.

2. Disassemble and Wrap the Piano

Remove the music rack and wrap it separately. Wrap the piano lid in moving blankets, and then secure it with packing tape or a bungee cord.

Tilt the piano on its side. Next, instruct your team to support it while you simultaneously disassemble the pedals and remove the piano’s legs with a screwdriver. Wrap these pieces separately as well. Place the screws in a bag and tape the bag to one of the legs to avoid losing them.

Finally, wrap the entire piano—including the keys—in blankets. Loop packing tape around the entire piano a few times to hold the blankets in place, or wrap the piano a second time with plastic wrap.

3. Position Piano on a Board

Gently tilt the piano back to its original position while sliding the piano board underneath it. Alternatively, you can slide lifting straps under the piano as you tilt it back, then hoist it onto the board. Either way, move slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the piano.

4. Transfer to the Truck

Once the piano has been loaded onto the skid board, you can roll and maneuver it through the house and onto the truck. You should keep one person on each side of the instrument at all times. Secure the piano to the back wall of the truck using ratchet straps. Pack the music rack, legs, pedals, and bench.

5. Move to Your New Home

Carefully drive the truck, avoiding sharp turns and dips in the road, to your new home and unload the piano. Position one person on each side of the piano. The fifth person should help direct the piano’s descent down the ramp and offer assistance or guidance as needed.

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After Moving a Piano

Once you deliver the piano to your new home, you still are not quite done yet, but we have you covered!

1. Position

It is imperative that upright pianos be placed against an interior wall, away from air vents and direct sunlight. Grand pianos sound best when their straight edge is placed against an interior wall. Like upright pianos, they should be kept away from direct sunlight, windows, doors, and air vents.

2. Unwrap and Reassemble

If you have a grand piano, be forewarned. Keep your helpers around long enough to unwrap and reassemble the piano, as this will be difficult, if not impossible, to manage on your own. If you have an upright piano, reassembly will not be an issue, but you may still need help unwrapping.

3. Clean and Tune

The last step is to hire a professional to clean and tune your piano. Anytime a piano is moved, its delicate inner workings can shift. For optimal results, wait a few weeks to schedule the tuning so the strings have time to fully settle and adjust to their new environment.

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Our Conclusion

Moving a piano can be done without the help of a professional, but it does require some time management, and it is a labor-intensive process. If you decide to tackle the task by yourself, make certain you have the proper equipment and plenty of help. Otherwise, you risk injuring yourself, damaging your home, or breaking your piano!

We recommend that you consider hiring a professional. Although piano moving services may seem expensive initially, the cost of a DIY job—including equipment and truck rental—can add up quickly. Professional movers can handle this job safely and efficiently.

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FAQ About How To Move a Piano

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