Can I Move a Piano Myself?

The piano is probably one of the most precious possessions of any homeowner. However, it is also one of the hardest things to move around the house, which is why owners typically ask the question: can I move a piano myself or should I hire professional piano movers? And this is what we will discuss in this post.

Moving a Piano Myself

A Piano Is Not a Furniture

You might wonder if it’s worth attempting a DIY move for your piano. However, it’s important to remember that a piano is not just another piece of furniture; it’s a finely tuned musical instrument with a unique construction that demands special care during transport.

Unlike mattresses or bed frames, pianos are built with intricate components that can easily be damaged if not handled properly. An upright or grand piano consists of thousands of parts, including delicate strings and a complex soundboard, all of which can be affected by improper handling. If you fail to move it carefully, you risk not only damaging the instrument but also compromising its sound quality and overall performance.

Additionally, the cost of repairing or tuning a damaged piano can far exceed any savings from a DIY move. Given that pianos can range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, investing in professional movers with experience in piano moving inside Mississauga is a wise choice. They possess the necessary tools and expertise to ensure your instrument arrives safely inside your new home and maintains its original sound quality. Whether moving inside Mississauga or beyond, professional movers are equipped to navigate tight spaces and handle the intricacies of piano relocation. While a DIY move may seem cost-effective, the risks of improperly transporting a piano, especially when navigating inside narrow hallways or staircases, can make it a costly endeavor in the long run.

The Right Equipment Necessary

Moving a piano requires specialized tools and equipment; simply dragging the instrument or attempting to load and unload it from a truck can lead to significant damage. Pianos are heavy and delicate, and they can sustain injuries at various stages of the move—during loading, while in transit, and during unloading.

Professional piano movers, on the other hand, come equipped with the right experience and tools to ensure a safe relocation. They use piano dollies and skid boards specifically designed to support the weight and structure of the instrument, allowing for smooth transitions between rooms or into the moving truck. Additionally, these movers know how to pack your piano securely, eliminating the stress of ensuring its safety during transport. When moving on your own, you would need to rely on blankets, quilts, and other soft materials to cushion the piano, which may not provide adequate protection.

If you’re considering purchasing these tools yourself, it's important to factor in the costs. For instance, a quality skid board can set you back a couple of hundred dollars. Furthermore, renting or purchasing other essential equipment can quickly add up, making it more cost-effective to hire professionals who have all the necessary gear at their disposal. In the end, investing in professional movers not only safeguards your piano but also saves you time and effort.

Do You Have Any Questions?

High Stream Moving is proud to offer professional local and long distance moving services in Toronto and all across Canada and the USA.

Different Shapes and Weight

The massive size of the piano is what allows it to make beautiful sounds. Consider the piano's design. It has heavy strings requiring big space internally, so it can make sounds for the lower notes.

This also means that you cannot expect all sides of the piano to have the same weight. As such, when moving pianos, it is crucial to know how they are constructed and where most of the weight is to avoid damaging the instrument.

If you transport it yourself, you need to solve the puzzle of how to move it, not just in space, but through doorways and stairs.

Zero Cost Savings

Many try to move the piano on their own because they think this is more cost-effective. But they will, later on, realize their mistake for the following reasons.

  • Too much time spent. It's not just about how much you will be paying the movers. You also have to consider the amount of time you will spend on the task. If you need to take some time off just to move big items like a piano, are you saving money?
  • Cost of injury. Many have tried to move the piano on their own but failed because they sustained personal injuries. Rather than simply spend on professional movers' fees, many piano owners have spent money on high medical bills. Some injuries also required more rest so others could not work for days until their injuries were better.
  • Space renovation. If you have damaged the space where the piano originally was, then chances are, you will need to spend some money restoring the space to its old look. This might mean new flooring, walls, or some repainting.

Sadly, other people especially those who are renting have had to spend hundreds if not thousands renovating the damaged space.

Damaging the Nearby Space is Possible

Amateurs trying to move the piano will have a hard time estimating the surrounding space. It also doesn't help when inexperienced piano movers do not have the correct dollys required to move the piano seamlessly.

Many make the mistake of dragging or pushing the instrument around even if maneuvering is hard. This is why many amateurs end up denting and scratching floors, walls, or skirting boards.

Is it worth to move a piano myself?

Time Constraints

There's nothing easy or quick when it comes to moving furniture. A piano in this regard is like furniture— it is extra challenging and time-consuming to get out of the house and move into a new space.

If you are moving homes, then you are unlikely to spend additional time moving the piano. You have, after all, many other items to move and mind. Getting the services of professional piano transportation and moving companies will save you both time and money.

Do You Have Any Questions?

High Stream Moving is proud to offer professional local and long distance moving services in Toronto and all across Canada and the USA.

Sustaining Injuries

A piano can weigh more than 1400 lbs. This weight is the same as an adult cow, which means lifting it will be quite challenging. Think of the kind of twisting, bending, and turning you'll need to do just so you can lift this heavy musical piece.

Sadly, many do-it-yourself people realized too late how taxing it is to move the piano. Many have already sustained personal injury such as torn muscles or broken bones after accidentally dropping the piano on their legs or foot.

Given the weight of the piano, any injury caused by moving it will need medical care and even hospitalization. For some, moving the piano themselves became a very expensive lesson as they could spend on medical bills rather than just paying for professionals to move the piano.

Turn to Professionals from High Stream Moving

There is no doubt that getting the help of professionals is better in this case. And if you are looking for a piano moving company in Toronto, then look no further. The High Stream Moving team is always ready to help you.

We are a long-distance moving company offering piano moving services around the Greater Toronto Area. We can handle the piano move for all piano types including:

  • Spinet
  • Baby Grand
  • Grand
  • Concert
  • Console
  • Upright

It doesn't matter whether you want to move the piano interstate or cross country. Our team is ready to help you with your needs. Simply reach out to us, and we can give you an estimate of the costs. Get in touch with us at (800) 430-1537 today!

Baby Grand4’8to 5’8Medium Grand5’6to 59ProfessionalGrand 6’Semi-ConcertGrand 74Concert Grand811’ and MoreUpright Style PianosGrand PianosSpinet36to 39Console40to 44Studio45to 49Upright50to 60