Piano Removal Services, Moving a Piano Upstairs
Piano Removal Services, are you thinking of moving a piano upstairs? Moving a piano upstairs is a challenging task according to Piano Movers UK. We’ll talk about the dangers later, however, you’ll need the right equipment, people, and careful planning to get the task done. The general advice is to hire professional piano movers for such a challenging task, however, this article discusses how to move a piano upstairs on your own.
We will discuss the following topics
- Piano moving equipment
- The process of moving a piano upstairs
- The dangers of moving a piano on your own instead of using Piano Transporters
- Related FAQ’s
Piano Transport Equipment
To move a piano you will need:
- A dolly
- Moving straps
- Plywood planks/ramp
- Saw (needs to be able to cut through plywood)
- Heavy-duty gloves (for gripping the piano effectively)
- Duct tape
- Blankets
- At least 3 people
Without this equipment, you risk damaging the piano or yourself on the move. Piano delivery companies come with all the needed equipment, that’s a bonus!
The Process for Moving a Piano Upstairs
Before planning the route you may want to make sure you feel comfortable making the move without professional piano removalists help. Some questions to ask are:
- Is the stairway steeper than average? The steeper it is, the more manpower and caution you need.
- Is the stairway particularly narrow? If it is too narrow, then someone at the top of the stairs won’t be able to move down to help the people pushing from the bottom, and vice versa.
- Are there turns within the stairs?
Step 1: Plan Your Route
You will want some measurements before planning your route.
- Height and width of the piano
- Height of doorways
- Length of the stairs
- Height between stairs and ceiling. Measure at a slant, ie perpendicular to the grade of the stairs instead of perpendicular to the flat tops of the stairs.
- Turn measurements. It is difficult to predict whether something will fit through a turn. If you have a 90-degree turn measure from one wall to the perpendicular wall with the middle of the tape resting on the obtruding corner. This should be the tightest part of the turn. Alternatively, if the turn is at a 4-way intersection, you can sometimes navigate the piano between different rooms before finally moving the piano to the correct hallway.
Now compare the piano plus dolly height with door heights and the distance between stairs and ceiling. Also, compare the piano width with turn measurements. If you notice any spaces that are too tight, you may want to consult a piano moving service. They may have access to a crane or use different methods that will make the moving process possible.
Step 2: Create a Ramp on the Stairs
You will need a ramp that is as long as the stairs. You can use plywood because it can be sturdy enough to maintain the weight of the piano and piano movers.
When you purchase the plywood make sure that it is durable enough to withstand the weight of the piano (500+lbs) plus the weight of 3-5 people. Remember that the heavier the piano, the more helpers you will need.
Communicate clearly with the store or lumber yard what you will use the plywood for, and how much weight you expect to place on it, so they can point you in the right direction.
Next, you need to create a ramp by placing the plywood on the stairs and securing it with duct tape and nails if available. Remember, there could be up to a thousand+ pounds on the plywood, so be very diligent as you secure it. A Piano Removal Service can easily help you with their expertise.
Step 3: Prepare and Move the Piano
To prepare the piano for moving:
- Tape the lid shut. You may want to use something less strong than duct tape if you are concerned about damaging the lid.
- Cover the piano with blankets and use duct tape to secure them. You don’t want to nick the piano in the process.
- Place the piano on a dolly. You may need to put moving straps beneath the piano. Secure the shoulder straps over the shoulders of the two strongest people in the crew.
- An upright is more straightforward to move. While you can place a grand on a dolly, it is awkward to do, and frankly, you probably shouldn’t put the fate of a precious grand in your inexperienced hands anyways.
Finally, you can start moving the piano:
- One person will push, and one person can pull others can stabilise until you reach the stairs.
- Once you reach the stairs, you will want more power on the bottom end of the piano so place more people there.
- Be careful and take small steps.
Once you have finished the move, you wait several weeks for the piano to acclimate to the new space, then hire a piano tuner for about $100 to get it back in tune.
Van-247 Moving Company Piano explains the Dangers of Moving a Piano by Yourself
It’s worth mentioning the risk involved in this process.
- Structural damage caused during a piano move is not uncommon. This can lead to an “untunable” piano.
- The polyester resin finish on many pianos can shatter. This is expensive to repair.
- If you design the ramp incorrectly or slip while you are on it, you or someone else could be hurt. And the cost of that is way more than the cost of hiring a mover!
Personally, I wouldn’t bother DIY moving my piano upstairs, instead, I would hire professional piano movers. The risk is yours to take!
Related FAQ’s
Can a Piano Fall Through a Floor?
No, or at least it is very unlikely. Only if your house has some serious structural issues, would there be any concern. More technical explanations of floor-bearing capacities are available.
What is The Cost to Hire a Professional Mover?
Typically professional piano movers cost between $150 – $550. Additionally, they may charge $5+ per step. One benefit of hiring a professional is that they often have insurance that could cover damages to the instrument or injury.
Man and Van Piano London Concludes
Moving your piano on your own always poses risks to you and the piano, especially when you move it upstairs. With the right piano removal service equipment and careful planning, you might be able to do it yourself.
Piano moving cost UK, what to expect?
How much are piano movers? For more information on Piano Removal, contact a piano moving company like Van-247 we have expert piano transporters all over the UK. We are only a phone call away. We can safely move your piano wherever you go! Van-247 is one of the best piano logistics specialists, much more details about our job you can find in the article: Transporting a Piano in musical steps.
For transporting a piano cost contact us for a quotation at +44 (0) 2045523383 or fill out a form at https://van-247delivery.com/piano-transport/ One of our agents will call you within 5 minutes.
Van-247delivery we offer professional piano shipping services, delivered with pride. Van-247 delivers excellent house-, office removals, and pallet transport and may be reached via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Piano Moving Companies References:
https://www.fantastic-removals.co.uk/blog/how-to-move-a-piano/
https://www.removalreviews.co.uk/move/moving-a-piano/
https://markgoodwinpianos.co.uk/blog/stairjobs
https://millersmusic.co.uk/blogs/blog/how-to-safely-move-a-piano
https://kentpianomovers.co.uk/stairs/
https://van-247delivery.com/transporting-a-piano-in-musical-steps/
https://van-247delivery.com/piano-transport/
https://van-247delivery.com/van-247-area-coverage/
https://van-247delivery.com/piano-transport-london-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
https://van-247delivery.com/piano-removalists-london-4-tips-before-move/
https://van-247delivery.com/piano-removals-and-strategy-to-move/
https://van-247delivery.com/piano-movers-damaging-pianos-through-a-move/
