Piano Moving

We'll move any upright for 20% less than any quote you get from any local movers. If you want it moved right with no damage to anything - call us at 519-858-2805. Believe me - most furniture movers have absolutely no idea what they are doing and they are not trained for piano moving!

Piano moving can be easily done if you understand where the center of gravity really is and you understand how to use leverage and a 4 wheel dolly.

Otherwise - don't move it. I have done piano moving with an 80 year old and I am only 5' 3" and weigh 125 lbs. And I have seen 6 big husky guys who thought they were muscle bound enough, absolutely struggle to move the average large upright.

The brawn is good if you use your brains - most don't - and I have seen gashes in walls, and pianos completely demolished because somebody thought they were going to save a few dollars and be their own piano mover.

My son-in-law has been in the moving business, and his advice to people with a piano is get qualified piano movers and no one else. You'll protect people from getting hurt as well as the piano and house from being damaged

Now if you insist on being your own piano moving company - here's what to do.

1. If there are more than 2 stairs - don't attempt this.

2. If you have to make a turn of more than 45 degrees and you don't know how to put the piano on its' end - don't do this.

3. If the move is from a main floor to a main floor and there are no more than 2 stairs and no turns - you can do this.

4. The center of gravity on a piano is determined by the "gold harp" inside the piano. The harp is made of cast iron and weighs 350 - 450 lbs.. It is placed at the back 1/3rd of the piano just inside of the frame that is made from big posts that run perpendicular on the back of the piano. It is made of cast iron.

READ THIS TWICE: The harp goes from the bottom all the way to the top of the piano. As well, the heaviest part of the harp on most old pianos is at the top. That makes the top 1/3rd of the piano liable to tip over. (These are the pianos that most people think they'll move themselves because they can't justify spending money on professional piano moving because it will cost more than the piano.)

5. Lift one end of the piano. Picture a little guy and an 80 year old lifting one end of a piano. Yes it can be done. Me and the 80 year old did it. Lift it up until you can balance the piano by using just one person. The piano will be at about a 60 degree angle.

6. Using the four rubber wheeled dolly, have a 3rd person (yes it's easier with 3) place the dolly under the piano in the middle so that the top of the dolly is flat against the bottom of the piano - yes - the dolly is now also at a 45 degree angle. Don't do this and you can break the legs of the guy holding the piano as the dolly will spurt out if it is not at the 45 degree angle and flat against the bottom of the piano!

7. While holding the dolly at the 45 degree angle, the person(s) holding the piano needs to slowly bring the piano back to horizontal. You are now ready to move.

8. If the wheels on the dolly do not pivot you lean on the piano so that only two wheels are in contact with the floor and then turn in the direction you want to go.

9. You will need some sort of gang plank from the house or verandah to your truck. Make sure the gang plank is either made for this or is a couple of 2 x 6's. Pianos are heavy. You don't want to drive it off the side of the gang plank either.

10. Once on your truck - you absolutely MUST tie the piano securely to the side of the truck. If the truck does not have side extensions that go up for the piano to be tied to, it is best the piano is laid on its' back either on the floor or against the side of the truck. If you don't do this you'll learn how pianos can actually fly just like Peter Pan - only their landing isn't anywhere near as pretty.

11. When you arrive at your destination - just reverse what you have read here and you will now think you're experienced at piano moving - but don't call me - I won't hire you as a piano mover.

12. Last, but not least. Having read this, if you're smart you'll get a professional piano moving company. If not us, I suggest you call any piano store. They know who are and are NOT qualified piano movers.