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Pianos are exquisite instruments that have delighted listeners’ ears for centuries. While many things have changed about the piano since it was first invented, one remains consistent and that’s how heavy they’re. Even smaller upright pianos can weigh over five hundred pounds!

A piano’s incredible weight is a major factor in how difficult it is to move. It is easy for people to think they can move a piano on their own, but every single piano expert worth their salt will advise against this. Do-it-yourself piano moving is incredibly difficult and dangerous, and we’ll cover the reasons why in greater detail below.

Expensive or Irreparable Piano Damage

Pianos may be a hefty instrument, but they’re also very delicate. They have intricate moving parts made from the finest materials, which are responsible for the rich sounds they produce. It doesn’t take a lot of movement to knock a piano out of tune, which is the least damaging thing to expect when moving it.

Inexperienced movers often cause significant damage to the piano’s inner workings, which can cost quite a bit of money to repair. If the piano is significantly damaged, it may not be repairable at all. Those attempting to move the piano themselves could end up costing themselves far more than it would cost to hire a professional piano mover.

Professional piano movers are familiar with piano construction. They have the tools, manpower, and experience necessary to transport even the heaviest piano without incident.

Personal Injury

The heaviest pianos can weigh over 1,400 lbs, which is about as much as a full-grown cow and just as awkward to lift up. Moving something this heavy means a lot of bending, twisting, and turning, especially if the movers are inexperienced and ill-equipped. The result is often severe personal injury from torn muscles or dropping the piano, potentially on a limb.

Such injuries often require medical attention or hospitalization. This means that movers are left with expensive medical bills instead of spending a fraction of that cost on a professional piano mover.

Personal injury is not the only risk a person takes with DIY piano moving. If there are children or pets present, the movers also risk injuring them. Smaller creatures and children are more likely to have serious and even fatal injuries, which is never worth the risk.

Damage to Personal Property

Pianos are not just heavy, they’re also irregularly shaped. The piano’s shape makes it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, especially when stairs or sharp corners are involved. It is incredibly easy to knock the piano into a wall, door, or other fixture.

When pianos collide with walls, flooring, and other objects, the results can be catastrophic. The sheer weight of the piano will easily dent or crack these areas, which can cost quite a bit to be repaired. If the movers are leaving an apartment, they may even have to forfeit their security deposit because of the damage caused by the piano.

Professional piano movers have equipment that makes it easier for them to maneuver a hefty piano in tight spaces. They have tools to remove some parts of the piano to make it less awkward to pivot and turn, such as the legs. When the piano arrives at its final destination, movers will reattach any parts they removed.

It’s Time Consuming

Moving furniture is not often regarded as a quick and easy task. Even small items, like couches and beds, take preparation and team coordination to transport. If more maneuverable pieces of furniture take a long time to move, then it is easy to assume that moving a piano will be quite a time sink.

If the piano is being moved as part of a whole-house move, then it is unlikely the people moving will want to spend the extra time on just the piano. Hiring a reputable piano mover means saving time trying to figure out how to transport the instrument. This time can be spent unpacking loads of boxes while the piano movers take care of the heavy lifting.

It’s Worrisome

Pianos are not just heavy and awkward, they’re also expensive. Grand pianos have an average cost of over $20,000, so they’re an investment that needs protecting. Those who opt for DIY piano moving often find themselves in a near-panic state as they attempt to transport the hefty instrument from point A to point B.

When a person chooses a professional piano mover, they can rest easy knowing that their expensive piano is in good hands. Professional piano movers have plenty of experience with a variety of piano styles, so the likelihood of damage is fairly low.

Reputable piano movers carry liability insurance that protects them, the piano, and the customer’s property in the event of damage or injury. If the mover damages the piano, the insurance will cover the cost of the repairs. If necessary, the insurance will cover the cost of replacing the piano entirely.

It Doesn’t Save Money

Most people choose to move a piano themselves to avoid the cost of hiring a professional piano mover. It may seem counter-intuitive, but hiring a reputable piano mover is often less expensive for people than trying to move the piano themselves. Pianos are extremely difficult to move, and amateur piano movers do not have the tools they need to get the job done right.

Professional piano movers have the tools, experience, equipment, and insurance needed to move any size piano. Piano owners never have to worry about their piano or property getting damaged or broken. Not only are they guaranteed to protect their investment, but they can enjoy the invaluable peace of mind that comes with hiring a professional.

The Bottom Line

Many people underestimate how complicated it is to move a piano, even a short distance. Once they try to lift it, the reality becomes quite clear. Fortunately, professional piano movers can make the moving process easy, fast, and stress-free, no matter the size of the person’s piano.