Piano Movers in NYC: Key Takeaways
- Moving a piano in NYC can be extremely difficult due to narrow staircases, tight hallways, lack of elevators, traffic congestion, and loading zone rules
- Professional movers can move your piano safely as they have specialized tools and expertise
- To choose the right moving company, verify their experience in moving pianos, licensing, insurance, and request a transparent quote
- Asking the right questions can convince you if the moving company is qualified to handle your piano
- Common mistakes include hiring general movers, not preparing your space, or missing to request a written estimate
Are you planning on moving a 500 lb. piano into a fifth-floor walk-up building and already having nightmares about scratches and broken pedals?
Professional piano movers help you avoid that nightmare scenario.
In this guide, we’ll:
- Explain the challenges of moving a piano in NYC
- Why hiring a piano moving company is key
- How to choose the right piano movers
- What questions to ask them
- What mistakes to keep in mind and avoid
Need capable hands to move your piano? Call Imperial Movers
Challenges of Moving a Piano in NYC
Delicate and heavy, pianos pose unique challenges for moving. Every inaccurate movement can damage its internal components and lead to huge additional expenses.
While moving a piano is challenging regardless of where you are, NYC’s traffic, narrow roads, and old buildings add more obstacles.
Tight Hallways and Narrow Staircases
Many pre-war buildings and brownstones have narrow and winding stairwells, requiring precise maneuvering and lots of experience to move a piano that weighs anywhere between 300 and 1,000 lb.
Walk-Ups Without Elevator Access
Imagine your new home is on the fifth floor in a walk-up building. Taking a piano up without elevator access can be both strenuous and dangerous, as untrained handling might result in slipping and serious injuries.
NYC Traffic and Loading Restrictions
Transporting a piano in NYC can become a real pain if you need to factor in parking restrictions, timed loading zones, and traffic congestion. Being late or rushing can result in fines, delays, and damage to your favorite piano.
Climate
During NYC’s humid summers, moving a piano can cause the wood to expand and contract, which leads to soundboard warping and cracking, ultimately affecting the hammers and keys.
In winter, the change from the cold outdoor air to overheated interiors can dry out the piano’s wood, impacting its components and tonal quality.
Why Use Piano Moving Services
So, what can you do to minimize the hassle and ensure your piano arrives at your new address in pristine condition?
Choosing a professional moving company is a smart decision for several reasons.
Right Equipment
Moving a piano requires specialized equipment like custom dollies, skid boards, lift gates, padding, and climate-controlled trucks, which you don’t normally have.
Designed to support the piano’s unique structure and weight, they’ll make the move smooth and safe.
Experience
You know how to play the piano. Pros know how to disassemble, pad, and secure each component, from the delicate strings inside an upright to the legs and pedals.
License and Insurance
Even if you have friends willing to help, you’ll not be able to do much if something goes wrong.
Reputable piano movers have full-value protection to ensure your instrument is protected every minute of the move.
How To Choose the Right Piano Moving Company
To have peace of mind that your piano is in good hands, look for piano movers with:
- Specialized experience with various types, including your specific piano model, whether upright, baby grand, or concert grand.
- Proper licensing and insurance, such as a valid USDOT number and insurance that specifically covers pianos (Request this information in writing).
- Positive reviews specifically mentioning piano moves to ensure the company catered to customers with similar needs.
- Transparent pricing with clear breakdowns of the base rate, stair/elevator fees, insurance costs, and potential storage options.
Consider a few key factors when choosing movers for your piano
Questions To Ask Before Hiring Piano Movers
What else can you do to ensure a safe and smooth piano move? Ask questions that can give you more information about the moving company’s experience. For example,
- How many piano moves have you completed this year?
- Are your movers trained to handle and set up pianos?
- Is the piano insured for its full value during the move?
- Do you have climate-controlled trucks or storage spaces?
- How will you protect my floors and walls when moving the piano?
- Can you move the piano if the building has no elevators?
- What happens if my piano is damaged during the move?
3 Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring Piano Movers
There are a few things to consider so that you don’t pay for moving services and end up with a damaged piano.
1. Hiring General Movers
Not all movers can handle piano moves due to lack of equipment or experience. Hiring general movers for the job just because the price seems right can result in permanent damage.
2. Not Preparing Your Home
Neglecting to clear pathways, measure doors and stairwells, and inform building management about your move can lead to delays, denied entry, unexpected fees, or inability to move your piano on the scheduled day.
3. Not Having a Written Estimate
Failing to request a written estimate that includes a detailed breakdown of the fees can lead to surprise charges, budget overruns, and disputes.
To ensure a smooth and safe piano move, avoid some common mistakes
Need To Move Your Piano? Imperial Movers Can Help
At Imperial Movers, we treat every piano as if it were our own, following a process that is as much art as the music your instrument creates.
From a Steinway grand to a vintage upright or an electric console, our team has experience handling pianos of all shapes and sizes.
We don’t just move your piano; we give you peace of mind as we:
- Use specialized gear.
- Use climate-controlled transportation and protective crating.
- Are fully insured to protect your instrument.
- Know NYC buildings, parking permits, and traffic.
- Provide transparent piano move quotes.
- Have top ratings across NYC.
We have moved thousands of pianos across NYC. Trust us with yours!
In addition to moving your piano, we can help you with anything else you need, from moving furniture to packing pictures and TVs.
Dreading the stress of moving your piano? Imperial Movers can help
Piano Movers in NYC: FAQs
If you need more information about moving a piano, read on.
Can I move my piano myself?
While it’s technically possible, it’s not recommended to move a piano on your own. Pianos are extremely heavy and delicate and have a shape that’s hard to handle without specialized tools, training, and experience.
What damage can occur if my piano is moved improperly?
If your piano is moved improperly, you can expect exterior and interior damage such as scratches, dents, broken legs, or soundboard and strings that are jarred out of alignment.
How do professional piano movers protect my piano during the move?
When moving a piano, professional moving companies use custom dollies, padded wraps, skid boards, and sometimes lift gates. They have climate-controlled trucks to protect the piano from humidity and temperature extremes. Movers also take care to not scratch or damage your floor or walls.
Dreading the stress of moving a piano? Call Imperial Movers
