So you are getting ready to move, and you are on a budget. You have a plan for getting everything in your current house to your new location, except your piano, or, maybe you are gifting your piano to someone else.
How do you handle moving the piano? Many people opt to undertake the project themselves with the help of a few friends. However, DIY piano moving, while cheaper upfront than hiring a mover, is usually a bad idea.
Moving a piano is trickier than moving other pieces of furniture. You may even end up paying more in the long run by trying to do it yourself. Consider these downsides to relocating a piano on your own.
DIY piano moving can damage your piano, duh!
The average piano weighs between 500 and 1,000 pounds. That, along with its bulky shape, make it very difficult to move safely. On average, you will need 6 people or special equipment, to get it from your home to the truck without dropping it.
In addition, despite their size, pianos are actually quite fragile. Their sensitive internal mechanisms can break easily, even if you don’t drop the piano. Bumping it against a wall or laying it down flat can be enough to cause damage.
Repairing or replacing a damaged piano is an expensive proposition. Avoid damage to your piano by hiring experts to move it for you. They will have both the equipment and the knowledge necessary to move your piano without a scratch.
DIY piano moving can also damage your home
Whether it is the home you are leaving or the home you are moving into, keeping your space in good condition is important.
Moving a piano on your own puts you at risk of damaging either your current or your new location. Bumping into walls or staircases, nicking doorways, or scratching floors is all possible when trying to move a musical instrument that is both heavy and bulky.
When you hire moving experts, you reduce the risk of damage to your home. That means you save the time, money, and stress you would have spent repairing damage caused by moving the piano yourself.
DIY piano moving can even lead to physical harm
Because pianos are so heavy, trying to move them yourself can lead to back pain or muscle strain for yourself or those who help you with the move.
In addition, thanks to the heaviness of the piano, dropping it on yourself or others can cause serious harm.
Avoid the risk of physical harm by hiring movers who know how to handle a piano safely. They will use equipment and their expertise to handle the piano without getting injured.
DIY piano moving can lead to substancial insurance liability
Small scratches on the wall or strained muscles may not warrant an insurance claim, but bigger problems could. If you try to move a piano on your own, you are responsible for any damages that occur as a result.
If you do end up making an insurance claim for physical or property damage, you won’t just face the deductible costs. Your insurance premiums are likely to go up, costing you much more in the long run than hiring a mover.
Instead of risking these costs, consider hiring a professional to move your piano for you. If an accident does happen, their insurance will cover the medical expenses.
DIY piano moving comes with some significant risks. Avoid them by hiring a mover, like Ward North American, who has the experience to safely handle your piano, or any other specialty item. We will treat your belongings as if they are our own, and safely help you relocate to the next chapter of your life.
