Moving home can be a stressful experience, especially if you have a treasured piano.  Despite their bulk, pianos are delicate instruments that can be easily damaged if not handled correctly and with care.  Most professional furniture removalists will have experience in transporting pianos, but there are some things that you can do to help make the move go smoothly.  Read on to find out more.

Preparing for your move

Before the day of your move, you will need to gather together some information to give to your chosen firm of removalists.

Obstacles

Pianos can be heavy, unwieldy objects to move around, so it's important that the removal crew are fully aware of potential problem points at both your current address and at your end destination.  For example, if stairs will need to be negotiated, note whether they are straight, spiral, or have a mini-landing at the half-way point.  Measure the width of the staircase and note any potentially awkward corners or places where the wall juts out.

Think about potential exit and entry points and measure the width and height of all doorways.

Type of piano

It's important that you tell the removalists exactly what type of piano you need to move.  This is because the size, width, height, and weight of different piano styles vary tremendously, and these details will determine whether extra manpower or specialist equipment is required to do the job.  Some pianos will require disassembly before they can be moved, and your removalists may want to do this the day before the move if the process is likely to be very time-consuming.

Some instruments, particularly valuable, antique ones, are very susceptible to damage following exposure to extremes of temperature, so remember to ask the removalists if they are able to transport your piano in a climate-controlled trailer, especially for interstate or overseas moves.

Packing your piano

The first thing to do is to secure any delicate moving parts that are situated inside the piano.  You can do this by gently packing around such items with bubble wrap or tissue paper, which will also help to prevent vibration damage.

Make sure that the piano's lid is closed and locked, so that it can't flap open in transit, and put the key somewhere safe where it won't get lost.  Wrap the piano completely in moving blankets, and pad the corners so that the instrument doesn't get dented or scratched.  If the forecast is for rain on the day of your move, it's a good idea to cover the whole piano in plastic wrapping too.  Your removalist will be able to provide you with suitable protective items.

In conclusion

You can ensure that your treasured piano arrives at its new home undamaged by following the tips outlined above and discussing the move in detail with your furniture removalists.

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