Moving a piano might seem simple at first glance, but it comes with more risks than most people expect. Even experienced DIYers can end up with cracked keys, damaged finishes, or back injuries. One Coral Springs family tried to move their baby grand without help from professionals. After cracking a stair tread and denting the piano leg, they ended up calling in the experts. At Our Family Moving & Storage, we’ve been helping families across South Florida and Palm Beach County move valuable items like pianos safely for over 15 years. If you’re thinking about moving a piano, here’s what you should know.
Why Moving a Piano Is a Job for Pros
Pianos are delicate instruments with hundreds of internal parts and fragile legs that can snap under uneven weight. Successfully moving a piano takes more than just strength, it takes strategy, equipment, and experience. Even a single misstep on a staircase or a tilt during loading can cause irreparable damage or serious injury. You may feel confident moving a piano yourself, but unless you’re using the right tools and have enough trained helpers, the risk is high. We cannot stress this enough: hire professionals. At Our Family Moving & Storage, we’re licensed, insured, and trusted by schools, music venues, restaurants, and hotels across South Florida, because experience matters.
What Type of Piano Are You Moving?
There are three main types of pianos: grand, upright, and digital. While each category includes several subsets, this general breakdown helps guide the moving process. Upright pianos are compact and vertical, making them the easiest to maneuver. Grand pianos, including baby grands, are large, heavy, and often require disassembly or specialty equipment. Digital pianos may seem simpler, but they still need protection from drops and jostling, especially if mounted on furniture-style bases. No matter the type, every piano is heavy, awkward to handle, and at risk for damage without proper planning and support.
Tools You Need to Move a Piano Safely
The right tools make all the difference when it comes to moving a piano without damage. Essential equipment includes a heavy-duty moving dolly, a secure piano board, padded moving blankets, and strong tie-down straps. According to the Piano Technicians Guild, pianos should always be wrapped in blankets and secured tightly to avoid internal and external damage. Professional movers also bring protective corner guards, adjustable lifting straps, and stair ramps for multi-floor jobs. It’s also important to lift the piano from its base (never the legs) and to keep it level throughout the move. When in doubt, don’t risk it. Getting a professional team is the safest choice.
Step-by-Step: How to Move a Piano Without Damage
Step 1 – Plan and Measure
Before anything else, measure your piano and all the spaces it needs to pass through. This includes doorways, hallways, staircases, elevators, and the trailer or moving truck. For especially large pianos or multi-floor moves, craning the piano through a window or balcony may be the safest option. Accurate measurements ensure the route is feasible and help prevent surprises on moving day.
Step 2 – Prepare and Wrap the Piano
Once the route is clear, wrap your piano in moving blankets and secure it with heavy-duty straps. Add padding around the sides of the piano and underneath to protect it from bumps. Remove detachable parts like music stands or legs, and keep screws or bolts labeled for reassembly. Protect pedals and fragile wood surfaces with foam or extra layers of blankets.
Step 3 – Use the Right Equipment
Place the piano on a moving dolly or piano board to keep it level and supported. Never tilt the instrument on its side, as this could damage internal components. Use adjustable straps to secure the piano to the dolly, and double-check that all parts are stable before rolling. If stairs are involved, make sure you have additional helpers and proper stair protection in place.
Step 4 – Move Through Stairs or Tight Spaces
Navigating tight corners and stairs can be the trickiest part. Picture a “two men and a truck” scenario, one guiding, one balancing, both moving slowly. But in reality, you may need a team of 3–5 professionals to move safely through multi-level homes or apartment complexes. Use stair ramps, extra padding, and constant communication to avoid slips. For businesses like hotels or restaurants, proper planning is crucial to avoid disruptions during business hours. Moving a piano up steps requires precise balance, enough manpower, and strong coordination to avoid strain or property damage. Trying to move a piano down the stairs without proper equipment increases the risk of injury or costly damage to your home’s interior.
Step 5 – Load Safely Onto the Truck
When loading, position the piano near the wall of the truck and use straps to secure it in place. Make sure it won’t roll or shift during transit. Use braces or blocks to limit movement inside the truck and check that the floor is level. If moving multiple items, load the piano first so nothing heavy shifts into it during the drive.
Hire Piano Movers You Can Trust
There’s no substitute for experience when it comes to moving a piano, and at Our Family Moving & Storage, we bring over 15 years of it to every move. We understand how overwhelming it can be to relocate a large, expensive, and delicate instrument. The best way to move a piano is to rely on professionals equipped with the right tools, training, and experience for the job. That’s why our team is trained in piano-specific transport, using premium equipment and proven methods for safety and security.
As experienced South Florida movers, we’ve relocated pianos across condos in Fort Lauderdale, school stages in Boca Raton, and performance halls in Miami Beach. We offer both residential and commercial piano moving services because pianos aren’t limited to living rooms. For residential moves, we handle everything from single-story homes to high-rise apartments and condominiums, managing narrow hallways, tight stairwells, and elevator constraints with ease. For commercial relocations, we’ve moved pianos for hotel lobbies, fine dining restaurants, performance venues, churches, schools, and recording studios across South Florida. You name the setting, we’ve probably moved a piano through it.
Our Florida moving services include full-service moves designed to take the burden off your shoulders. This means we handle the packing, loading, transport, unloading, unpacking, and optional reassembly of your piano and any other specialty items. Whether you’re moving next door or across county lines, we treat your piano with the care and precision it deserves. We also offer specialty moving for other fragile, oversized, or high-value items, including safes, grandfather clocks, antiques, artwork, glassware, and workout equipment. You can trust us to protect what matters most.
Call Our Piano Moving Services Today!
When searching online for “piano movers near me”, be sure to choose a team that specializes in both residential and commercial piano relocations. Contact us today or call us at 954-453-1111 to schedule expert help with your next move. Request a free quote with Our Family Moving & Storage and let us protect your treasured piano every step of the way. Whether you’re moving into a beachfront condo or helping a venue prepare for opening night, we’re the team South Florida trusts to get it done right. If you’d like to learn more about us, our moving services, and what we do, feel free to read our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Moving
How Much Does it Cost to Move a Piano in South Florida?
Costs vary based on piano type, stairs, and distance. We offer competitive rates and full quotes upfront.
Can I Move an Upright Piano Without Professional Help?
It’s possible, but risky. Uprights are heavy and awkward. One slip can lead to injury or expensive damage.
What Type of Equipment do Piano Movers Use?
We use skids, dollies, straps, and padded blankets to move pianos safely and securely.
Will My Piano be Insured During the Move?
Yes. We are licensed, insured, and bonded. Your piano is covered under our comprehensive moving protection.
How Do I Prepare My Piano Before the Movers Arrive?
Clear the surrounding area, remove loose items, and let us handle the rest. We bring all the necessary tools.
Can You Move a Piano Through Stairs or Elevators?
Absolutely. We have experience navigating stairwells and elevators in both residential and commercial buildings.
Do You Offer Other Specialty Moving Services?
Yes! In addition to pianos, we move grandfather clocks, safes, workout equipment, antiques, artwork, and glassware with expert care and precision.
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