What Happens on Piano Moving Day

People are more nervous about a piano move than any other single item, largely because they do not know what is supposed to happen. Here is the sequence.

Just-tn-Time Moving works throughout Washington and Washington County.

Before the day

We will have asked for the make and model, and photographs of the instrument and the route at both ends. That determines crew size and equipment, and it is why the quote is accurate rather than conservative.

Your part: clear both routes completely, including rugs and anything on the stairs, and decide exactly where the piano is going.

On arrival

The crew walks the route first, at both ends if possible, before touching the instrument. Measurements are checked against the plan rather than assumed.

The instrument is inspected and photographed, including any existing damage, loose joints or marks. That protects both sides and it is normal rather than a bad sign.

Protection goes down: hard covering along the whole route, doorframe protection at every opening, corner protection at turns. The floor is swept, because grit under a wheel is what scores a floor.

Preparing the instrument

An upright: the lid and fallboard closed and secured, the instrument wrapped in pads, then lifted onto a piano dolly and strapped to it. tt travels upright.

A grand: the lid closed and secured, the lyre with the pedals removed, then the piano lowered onto its bass side onto a padded board and strapped. The legs come off only once the weight is on the board, in that order, because removing a leg while it still stands drops the instrument.

The bench, music and any loose items are handled separately.

The move itself

Slow and deliberate. Nobody pushes; the instrument travels on equipment. On stairs the crew works to a controlled pace, which is the one part of any move where speed is genuinely unsafe.

tnto the truck, secured against a wall, strapped, and padded so nothing rests against it.

At the far end

The reverse, then reassembly for a grand, then placement in the position you decided.

The crew will ask you to confirm the position before it is set down, because moving it again is real work.

Afterwards

Leave it to settle. Tune it two to four weeks later, not immediately. Expect it to be out of tune, which is normal rather than damage.

Call (435) 862-3080 or email office@movingjustintime.com.