Are you looking for the best way to move a piano across the country? If so, you've come to the right place. Pianos are the most valuable and beautiful musical instruments that bring life to any space. But moving them from one place to another can be daunting as they are so sensitive, expensive, and heavy.
If you're moving to a new place or managing an estate and want to take your piano with you across the country, you'll need to handle it with the utmost care. Make sure you choose the best shipping method for your piano.
No worries if you don't know how to move a piano safely.
In this article, I'll discuss the best way to move your piano, whether you're shipping a piano across town or the country. By the end of this article, you'll have four options.
So, let's check out these options!
4 Ways To Move A Piano Across The Country
The following are the four ways to successfully ship your piano across the country:
Rent A Truck And Move Yourself
Renting a truck is one of the most common methods to move your piano for small or short distances.
This option requires you to pack and load the piano onto the moving truck yourself, but it can be very cost-effective. Also, it will save you the hassle of waiting for third parties to handle the piano.
However, moving an upright piano without professional assistance is not recommended, especially if it is large, valuable, or fragile.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to move a piano if you want to do the job yourself:
- First of all, rent a truck and gather the necessary equipment, such as a furniture dolly, straps, and protective padding. But the specific supplies you'll need may vary depending on the type of piano you have:
For a grand piano: Moving a grand piano requires a piano skid board. You'll need additional strapping and padding for this piano board, and make sure it is the right size for your piano.
For an upright piano: Piano dollies.
- Once you have all the necessary supplies, it's time to prepare the piano for transport.
- Securely the piano to the dolly, skid board, or other equipment with straps and padding. If it's a baby grand piano, close the lid, wrap it with movers tape, and remove the legs.
- Next, cover all the delicate parts of the piano with moving blankets to prevent scratches or other damage.
- With the help of your family members and friends, carefully load the piano onto the truck using a furniture dolly. Then secure it with straps.
- Transport the piano to the new location. Take extra care when driving over bumps or through curvy roads to reach your destination.
- Unload and reassemble the piano in your new place.
Pros
- More affordable than hiring professional movers.
- Your piano remains in your care the entire time.
- It gives you a sense of satisfaction from taking on the job yourself.
- You can move it according to your timeline.
Cons
- It's a complex and time-consuming process.
- It takes a lot of effort and involves a lot of risks.
- Require a few people to help with lifting and loading.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Truck And Move Your Piano?
The cost of a DIY move depends on the size of the rented vehicle and your moving distance. You will pay a day rate based on the vehicle's size, mileage, and fuel costs. Additionally, you may need to pay extra for moving supplies, equipment, and insurance.
Typically, the day rate for a 10'-17' pickup truck is $19.99 to $29.99 or $29.99 to $39.99 for a 20'-26' truck. The average mileage is between $0.89 and $1.39 per mile. However, the price can be higher on weekends and during peak moving seasons.
You may also have to pay an extra fee if you move long distances and leave your rented vehicle in a different city.
Hire Professional Movers
It is the most reliable and safest way to move your piano, as experienced piano movers know how to handle it. They are qualified to do this job and have experience moving items locally and across the country.
Movers know how to successfully execute the operation. They will take all the necessary precautions and use the best equipment to move it.
Finding professional piano movers in your area is not difficult. The best way to find a moving company is to search online and compare different moving companies online.
Always ask for a quote from a moving company before booking their services. If you call for a quote, mention your piano so they can provide an accurate price and advise you about packing requirements.
If there are additional fees, make sure you know what they are in advance so you won't be surprised when you receive the bill.
Pros
- It saves you time and energy.
- Reduce the risk of additional expenses.
- The professionals will take care of all the legwork.
- They use special equipment to move your piano safely.
- Peace of mind knowing that your belonging is insured in case movers cause damage to your piano.
Cons
- Expensive.
- If you don't pay extra, household movers won't pack or move the piano.
- You have less control over your piano's timeline and route.
How Much Does It Cost To hire piano movers?
The cost of hiring professional Piano movers to move a piano will depend on the distance, type of piano, the time of the year, and the services required.
According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average low estimate cost of a long-distance move is around $2,300, while a long-distance move for 1,000 miles is $4,890.
Local piano moves are typically cheaper and could range from $100 to $1,000.
Consolidated Freight
You can also move your piano with a consolidated freight company. Consolidated freight is a service that will transport large items long or short distances.
Your piano will share space with other cargo inside a carrier truck. A licensed and insured shipping company provides this service.
Consolidated freight companies will pick up the piano from your home and transport it to a designated location (usually a warehouse). From there, you'll have to pick it up.
It is the safest and best method to ship upright pianos across the country.
Pros
- The cost-effective and relatively safe way to move a piano.
- The cost of shipping includes insurance coverage.
- The service always includes packing, indoor loading, and unloading.
Cons
- It takes a while for the piano to reach its destination.
- You may have to arrange separate transport from the freight company's depot to your house.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Piano Using Consolidated Freight?
The cost of shipping a piano with a consolidated freight method depends on your piano's size, weight, and style. Also, delicate components, stairs, and tight spaces increase the cost.
Typically, the cost of shipping a piano is between $950 and $2500. Companies use the White Glove service when shipping pianos by consolidated freight.
Rideshare or Peer-to-Peer Shipping
Rideshare and peer-to-peer shipping platforms are becoming increasingly popular for moving large items like pianos across the country. Rideshare and peer-to-peer marketplaces are typically much more cost-effective, flexible, and convenient than professional movers.
How it works is that customers post their piano moving request on a Rideshare or peer-to-peer shipping websites like Roadie or uShip. And then drivers within their area who have the necessary van or truck can offer to transport the piano for a fee.
When you post your piano on a peer-to-peer shipping website, ensure you include accurate information about pickup and drop-off locations, including stairs and tight spaces. Also, you need to provide detailed information about the piano type, including its exact dimensions and weight.
It is handy if you need the piano to move quickly and don’t want to wait for a professional mover to be available.
However, it is essential to ensure the driver you choose has experience transporting pianos and is appropriately insured to ensure that you and your piano remain safe during the move.
Additionally, it is essential to thoroughly check the piano before and after the move to ensure it arrives at its destination without damage.
Pros
- The cheapest method out of all four options.
- Flexible and convenient.
- Can be arranged quickly.
Cons
- Risk of damage due to inexperience with piano transport.
- There's no insurance if your shipment gets damaged.
- No guarantee of delivery time.
- If something goes wrong, there is less accountability since you aren't working with a professional.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Piano Using Peer-to-Peer Shipping Method?
The cost of shipping a piano using peer-to-peer shipping services can vary widely on the size, age, value, and fragility of your piano, as well as pick-up and loading conditions.
The cost can be negotiated based on the piano, however. The average price is around $750 and more than $1,000.
The Challenge of Moving A Piano Long Distance
Since pianos are one of the heaviest objects in a household, moving it can be pretty challenging. You can't just slide them out like other items. Instead, it takes careful planning and multiple people to keep things steady on their sides so that nothing gets damaged or broken.
Grand pianos are pretty heavy and have peculiar shapes, whereas upright pianos tend to be tall. The piano's extreme weight and shape pose a particular problem, even when you move them across the room.
That means slight shifts in any direction can cause extreme shifts in the balance and weight of the piano. This makes it hard to turn and move around corners and steep stairs without injuries, property damage, costly structural damage to the piano itself, or even worse.
In addition, moving a piano can be challenging if it involves transporting it over long distances and through multiple transfer points.
For these reasons, you must have a plan for moving your piano either short or long distances. This plan should include professional equipment and qualified personnel to ensure your piano is safe and secure during its journey.
Things You Need To Consider When Shipping A Piano
When shipping a piano, it is crucial to consider the following things:
Don't use the DIY method
Trying to move your piano independently is not recommended. Since pianos are very delicate, they can be easily damaged without proper care. Therefore, it is best to a hire professional piano mover to ensure the safety of your piano.
Prepare Your Piano
Before transportation, remove external attachments, such as a music stand, legs, pedals, and fragile items. Since these parts are delicate, they should be packed separately in foam or bubble wrap. Also, Ensure the outside pathway is free of obstructions and clear the space of any furniture or boxes.
Use a Professionally Designed Piano Cover
It protects the surface of your piano from scratches and damage. Additionally, it will make moving the piano easier and provide additional support.
Provide All Details
When asking an expert piano shipping company for a price quote to ship a piano, provide as many details about the musical instrument as possible. It should include the piano's size and any special transportation requirements.
Check Your Insurance
Ensure your shipment is adequately insured and covered if anything goes wrong.
Tuning After the Move
After your piano has been moved, it is essential to tune the musical instrument to retain its original sound. If you do not have sufficient experience, hiring a professional to do the tuning and a check-up is best.
Following these tips, you can safely transport your piano across the country with minimal disruption.
Conclusion
As you can see above, I've outlined the four ways to move a piano across the country. The best and safest option for moving a piano is to hire professional movers specialized in transporting this delicate and valuable instrument.
However, you can do other stuff yourself, like packing and loading. With the proper preparation, your piano will arrive in perfect condition.
Moving a piano alone is not a good idea since it's not ordinary furniture. If you do so, you might regret it later.
Do not forget to check your insurance coverage, prepare the piano for transport, and hire a professional tuner after the move.
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Harlan Kilstein began playing piano during covid with no piano background at all. He taught himself how to play learning what to do and what not to do.
Today he's an advanced intermediate player and can help you grow in your skills because he learned all this on his own.
