How to move a piano

A piano move needs an assessment of the instrument, the route through both properties and the equipment and crew required. Book an experienced moving team and disclose the piano when requesting the quote. Do not treat it as an ordinary furniture item or assume a vehicle with spare floor space can carry it safely.

Pianos can have substantial financial and sentimental value as well as awkward weight distribution. The published moving advice gives examples of pianos weighing up to 550 kg and a baby grand around 320 kg. Those examples are not specifications for your instrument: identify the model and obtain its actual dimensions and weight where possible.

Choose help for the instrument and the access

Tell the moving team whether the piano is upright, grand or another type, its make and model if known, and where it is located. Provide photographs of the instrument and the access route when requested. Describe stairs, changes of level, narrow passages, turns and the position of doors along the path.

Do the same for the destination. A piano that left one property successfully may face a very different entrance at the new address. Confirm where it is intended to stand before the move so the team can assess the complete route, including the final room.

Fragile Removals describes experience moving pianos on local and interstate jobs. Ask for the specific handling plan and availability for your instrument rather than assuming every booking includes piano handling. For a quotation, call 1800 500 584 or use the detailed quote form.

Prepare information before preparing the piano

Record the piano's condition and any existing marks or loose components. Tell the team about previous damage, repairs or handling concerns. Keep identifying details and photographs accessible during the move. This information helps distinguish existing condition from an issue noticed later; it is not a guarantee against damage.

Ask who will prepare the instrument and what, if anything, you should remove or pack separately. Follow the piano maker's or specialist's instructions for the model. There is no universal instruction to remove every wheel, dismantle every piano or tape a finished lid. Adhesive, wrapping and disassembly choices must suit the instrument and its finish.

The earlier equipment list includes protective blankets, padding, straps, a piano-suitable dolly and a suitable vehicle with a hydraulic lift. These are planning considerations for the moving team. Owning a dolly or gathering several helpers does not establish that a do-it-yourself move is safe or that the equipment has the necessary capacity.

Clear the route and agree responsibilities

Remove loose household obstacles from the agreed access route before the crew arrives, where you can do so safely. Keep children, pets and bystanders away from the handling area. Make sure the person responsible for keys and building access is available at the agreed time.

If the property has a lift, restricted loading area or building booking requirements, disclose them before moving day. Give the team the building manager's relevant access instructions. Do not assume a lift or doorway will be suitable from a general description; provide measurements and allow the team to assess the actual route.

Agree which work the moving team will perform and whether another specialist is required. Changes such as an unavailable lift, blocked entrance or a different delivery room can affect the plan. Tell the team promptly instead of expecting the crew to improvise when the instrument is already being handled.

Understand the handling sequence without attempting the lift

The team should assess the route and instrument, prepare suitable protection, choose equipment and establish a coordinated handling method before movement begins. The loading, restraint and unloading plan should suit the piano and vehicle. This page does not provide a lifting technique, a minimum crew size or an equipment rating for an unknown instrument.

Keep the planned pathway available while the crew works and follow its directions about where household members should stand. Do not push, pull or steady the piano unexpectedly. If you notice a new obstacle or condition concern, tell the team so it can stop and reassess at an appropriate point.

Plan prompt indoor placement of the piano and avoid leaving it exposed outside. Confirm the delivery sequence with the crew and arrange prompt placement indoors. Protect the instrument from exposure to direct sun, heat and moisture during the transition; the plan should not depend on leaving it unattended outside while access is organised.

Plan interstate timing and any storage separately

For an interstate move, confirm the collection and delivery windows and who is performing each handling stage. Ask how the piano's requirements will be communicated between the people involved. Keep the destination contact details current so the final access arrangement is ready when the instrument arrives.

If there is a gap between properties, discuss storage before collection. Explain that the item is a piano and obtain the relevant facility and handling details. The general storage description does not establish a model-specific temperature or humidity requirement or guarantee suitability for every instrument.

Discuss insurance and cover before the move. Ask about the actual policy, exclusions, valuation and claim procedure relevant to the piano. A removalist's experience or general business insurance should not be treated as confirmation that your instrument has a particular level of cover.

Check placement and respond to concerns

At delivery, confirm the intended position with the crew before final placement. Check the visible condition and any components handled separately. Keep access clear until the team has completed the agreed work and the instrument is stable in its position.

If you notice damage or another concern, document it and notify the moving company promptly through the agreed process. Keep photographs and booking details together. For questions about the instrument's operation, condition, tuning or adjustment after moving, contact a qualified piano technician or the manufacturer. Do not assume a universal waiting period or attempt adjustments based on a general moving guide.

Can I use the example piano weights to plan the lift?

No. The article’s examples of up to 550 kg and around 320 kg for a baby grand illustrate why a piano needs specialist assessment; they are not specifications for your instrument. Give the team the piano type, make, model, dimensions and actual weight where available. Add photographs and describe previous damage or repairs. The team must assess the instrument together with the full access route before choosing equipment and handling arrangements. Do not use an example weight to select a dolly, crew size or DIY lifting method.

Should I remove the wheels or tape the piano lid?

There is no universal instruction to remove the wheels or tape the lid. Preparation must suit the piano’s construction, finish and condition, so agree it with the moving team, piano specialist or manufacturer before altering the instrument. Ask who will protect or remove any components and how separate pieces will be identified. Adhesive or unsuitable wrapping can create its own problems. Record the condition before collection and keep the agreed preparation instructions available for the people handling the piano.

What access information does the moving team need?

Describe the complete path from the piano’s current position to its intended position in the new room. Include stairs, changes of level, narrow doorways, tight turns, lifts, long carries, parking and loading restrictions at both properties. Provide measurements and photographs when requested, and mention how the piano entered its present location. Confirm building bookings and key access before collection. If a lift becomes unavailable or the destination room changes, tell the team so the handling plan can be reassessed.

Can a piano be put in storage between moves?

It may be possible, but discuss the particular piano and its requirements before booking. Ask how it will be protected, handled into storage and delivered out again, and confirm the relevant environmental arrangements rather than assuming every household unit suits an instrument. Explain the expected period and any uncertainty in the delivery date. Keep identification and condition records, clarify insurance arrangements for the storage stage, and agree access and redelivery costs as part of the same plan.

What should I do on the day of a piano move?

Have the access and building contact ready, keep the agreed route clear and keep children, pets and bystanders away from the handling area. Let the team complete its assessment and preparation before movement begins. Do not unexpectedly push or steady the piano; alert the team if you notice an obstacle or concern. Confirm the destination position and check the instrument’s visible condition after placement. Raise any issue through the agreed process and seek a piano specialist’s advice for tuning or technical concerns.