Can I Move a Piano Myself?

A piano is probably one of the heaviest things in a home that has one. Therefore, when it is necessary to move a piano, owners usually ask themselves: 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

Unlike tables or bed frames, pianos are made up of complex components that can easily be damaged if mishandled. A piano is a heavy instrument, but it has a rather fragile body and paint finish. If bumped or dropped, cracks, scratches and dents can occur.

Inside the piano is a complex mechanism of hundreds of small parts - hammers, strings, dampers and keys. If the piano is shaken or turned upside down, it can cause the hammers to shift, the strings to malfunction, or even parts of the mechanism to break.

If you don't move it carefully, you risk not only damaging the instrument but also compromising its sound quality and overall performance.

In addition, the cost of repairing or tuning a damaged piano can far exceed the savings from moving it yourself.

The resonator (deck) and strings must be under a certain amount of tension. A blow to the instrument can damage or weaken it. There is also a risk of damaging the pedals, which can cause them to stop working properly or break completely.

Considering that the cost of a piano can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, the smart choice is to contact professional movers experienced in local piano moving. They have the necessary tools, strength and experience to ensure that your instrument is delivered safely to its new home.

Whether the move is in Toronto, GTA or the whole of Canada, professional movers are able to navigate the confined space and handle all the intricacies of moving a piano long distances.

While a DIY move may seem cost-effective, the risk of improperly transporting a piano, especially when moving through narrow corridors or staircases and not enough manpower, can end up being a costly endeavour.

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.

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.

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.

Piano moving

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 manoeuvring 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.

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.

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.

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 cross-country or interstate. 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