Why a piano is not like other furniture

An upright piano usually weighs somewhere between 200kg and 300kg, and a baby grand can easily pass 300kg, with larger models heading towards 450kg or more. That weight does not sit helpfully in one place either. It is spread across a cast-iron frame, a soundboard, strings under considerable tension and a cabinet that was never designed to be tipped, dragged or bounced down a flight of stairs.

Add to that the fact that pianos are sensitive instruments. The action — the thousands of small moving parts between key and string — dislikes jolts, and the tuning pins and soundboard respond to changes in temperature and humidity. A move is a shock on every count: physical, thermal and acoustic. The good news is that with a bit of preparation, most pianos come through a house move perfectly well and settle back into tune within a few weeks.

Measure the route before you book anyone

Before you ring a removal firm, walk the route the piano will take and measure it properly. Do not guess. A standard UK internal door opening is around 762mm, and most uprights will pass through comfortably — but the diagonal is what catches people out, and so are tight turns at the bottom of stairs, low beams, radiator valves and protruding door handles.

• Measure every doorway width and height along the route, including the front and back doors of both properties.
• Check stair width, headroom on the turn, and whether a banister or newel post will need protecting or, in rare cases, removing temporarily.
• Look at the outside approach: steps, gravel, narrow gates, low garden walls, overhanging branches, and any shared communal entrance.
• If the piano lives above the first floor, find out whether a lift is available and what its internal dimensions and weight limit are.

Take photographs and note the measurements down. A reputable piano moving team will ask for exactly this information when quoting, and it lets them decide whether they need a stair-climbing skate, a tail-lift, or in difficult cases a crane or hoist.

Getting the instrument ready

Empty the piano completely. That means the music desk, the top of an upright, the stool, and anything tucked inside or behind it. Loose metronomes, lamps, sheet music, ornaments and even pencils can work their way into the action or scratch the casework on the way out.

• Remove the music on the stand and clear the top lid of an upright before moving day.
• Take off the piano stool and any castor cups, and pack the stool separately.
• Close and, if the design allows, lock or secure the fallboard over the keys; ask your mover whether they would prefer to do this themselves.
• For a grand, the lid, legs and pedal lyre are usually removed and wrapped individually — leave this to the professionals rather than attempting it yourself.
• Dust and lightly clean the case, and photograph any existing marks or scratches so there is no dispute later.

Also check your insurance. Many standard household removal policies exclude pianos or cap the cover at a figure far below replacement value. If you are moving a valuable or antique instrument, ask specifically about cover for it, and consider a specialist policy.

Choosing movers who know pianos

General removal crews are often excellent at sofas and boxes, but a piano is a different job. The right team will turn up with proper equipment: wide padded straps, thick furniture blankets, corner boards or a piano board, a purpose-built piano trolley or skate, and protective floor coverings.

Ask questions when you get quotes. How will the piano be carried — on a board, on a skate, or by hand? How many people will be on the job? Do they carry specialist insurance for musical instruments? Do they have experience with your type of piano, and can they describe a job similar to yours? A team that answers these clearly and without hesitation is usually a team worth booking.

Never be tempted to save money by dragging an upright on a sack barrow with two people and a bit of goodwill. The cabinet damage, cracked soundboard or bent action parts that can result will cost far more than the difference in the quote.

On the day itself

Clear the route completely. Move shoes, rugs, plants and small furniture out of the way, and put down protection on hard floors and tiled hallways — piano castors mark wood and stone easily. If you are moving into a flat or a terraced house, let the neighbours know in advance and check whether a lift or communal door needs to be booked.

Weather matters more than people expect. Rain makes wooden floors and metal ramps slippery, and extreme cold can affect the instrument's finish and tuning stability. Where possible, move the piano on a dry, mild day, and never leave it standing outside or in an unheated van for longer than necessary. Keep it upright and in the position the movers recommend at all times, and keep children and pets well clear of the working area.

Settling in and the first tuning

Once the piano is in its new home, resist the urge to play it immediately. Give it time to acclimatise. Aim to place it away from radiators, direct sunlight, draughty doors and outside walls where possible, and try to keep the room at a reasonably stable humidity between roughly 40% and 60% relative humidity.

Wait two to four weeks before booking a tuning. The instrument will absorb or release moisture as it adjusts to the new room, and a tuning done too soon often drifts again within days. When your tuner arrives, mention that the piano has recently moved, as they may want to check the action, pedals and casework as well as the pitch. After that first settling-in tuning, a regular annual visit will keep everything in good order for years to come.