Looking after a piano is no easy feat. You need to spend a substantial amount of time, energy and sometimes also money, to keep your musical instrument in tiptop condition. But more often than not, many piano owners assume that if their piano is acting up, then only a little tuning will fix it. What they don’t realize is that sometimes even a seemingly inconsequential problem needs professional treatment; otherwise, it might turn into a significant issue and severely damage the piano.
Calling over an expert or taking your piano to one may seem like too much work, but you need to do that if you want your keyboard to continue producing melodious tunes. So, what piano troubles can necessitate a call to a piano expert? Well, let’s find out!
Here are the most common four piano problems that might not be as trivial as you believe.

Sticky Keys

Coming across a stuck key on your piano once in a while is not a problem. It can happen, after all, a piano is a machine. However, if you start to encounter the issue frequently, you need to get your keyboard checked. Generally, sticky keys are quite easy and inexpensive to fix. But sometimes, if they are a symptom of a more significant issue, such as a missing component, you might have to pay a considerable amount of money to get your piano fixed. In any case, you will most likely avert a significant piano crisis.

Rattling or Buzzing Sounds

A piano contains hundreds of screws, and when they come loose, they create chaos inside the instrument. The most obvious telltale sign of loose screws in a keyboard is unsettling noises. When you hear strange rattling or buzzing sounds coming from your piano, don’t ignore them. Consult a professional right away; otherwise, you might end up facing a significant piano problem.

Piano sounds Muffled

Muffled piano sounds are a pretty common yet often overlooked piano problem that can become permanent without treatment. If you hear unclear, smothered sounds while playing your instrument, then the chances are that your piano needs high-level tuning and voice adjustments. Take your piano to an expert as soon as you start hearing muffled melodies when using the instrument. But be sure to move it safely to avoid damaging it.

Notes not Sounding Right

One of the most difficult-to-diagnose piano problems is inaccurate note sounds. A piano can sometimes lose its ability to sound a note or a group of notes correctly. It can happen for a host of reasons that a novice piano player or owner may not be aware of; therefore, consulting a technician is essential.
A piano can produce incorrect note sounds if it has broken hammers/strings or is mistuned. In any case, it’s better to consult an expert so that you can be sure your instrument is not at risk of losing its tuning for good.
 
To avoid encountering piano troubles, try to stay on top of your instrument’s upkeep at all times. But if you still run into an issue, don’t try to resolve it yourself instead seek professional help.

A piano is one of the most expensive musical instruments that one can own. If you own a piano, you’ll know how careful one has to be around these super-delicate instruments. It is one of the reasons why piano owners dread having to move their pianos. The stress of moving a piano is several folds higher if you’re moving houses, and your piano is lying on the first floor. The thought of bringing the piano down the stairs and loading and unloading it in the moving truck is just too overwhelming.
To help you manage your stress better, we’ve listed down some important questions that you must ask prospective piano movers before you hire them. Having your queries and concerns addressed in the right way will help you trust the piano movers with your beloved piano a lot better.

For How Many Years Have You Been Moving Pianos?

The most important factor that should form the basis of your decision is how experienced the prospective piano movers are with the job. You should never trust an inexperienced moving company with your piano since it holds a lot of risk. The more experienced a piano moving company is, the safer your piano will be in their hands.

How Do You Go About the Job?

You should ask the prospective piano movers clearly about the techniques they will use to move your piano. The company’s response should be detailed and satisfying. Any response that either cuts the discussion short or avoid discussing the topic altogether should be treated as red flags. A professional piano moving company should be able to tell you how many people do they usually send as a team, the techniques and the tools they use and what measures do they take to ensure that your piano stays unharmed during the move.

What Are the Chances of My Piano Getting Damaged?

If the response to this question is, ‘no way!’ you need to know that the piano movers aren’t the best after all. The overconfidence goes against their favor. A professional piano mover company will be as honest with you as they possibly can. Depending on the distance they’ll have to move your piano, for example, from the 2nd floor, they’ll inform you that there are always chances of slight damage. What makes prospective piano movers a good option is how well they can satisfy you that they’ll do their best to keep your piano safe during the move.

Can You Provide Any References?

Always ask for references from previous customers they worked for. You can always call their past clients and have a word regarding the quality of services and level of professionalism. If the company is reluctant to provide references, you need to look around for other options. This is one of the most important questions to ask prospective piano movers before you seal the deal!

Summary

Asking the prospective piano movers the right questions is the best way to judge whether or not they’re the right company to hire for moving your piano. Pianos are highly valuable musical instruments, and you should only trust a reliable piano moving company to do the job!

We all love the idea of having a piano in the house. It’s a wonderful instrument that is a great source of joy and entertainment. But have you ever thought of how stressful it can be to move a piano? If you’re planning to move or get a new piano in the house, you will need to hire a professional piano mover to successfully move your piano.
Don’t even think of moving it by yourself because it won’t be a walkover. Not convinced yet? Read on to learn why hiring a professional piano mover is the right choice.

1.     Prevent Injury or Damage

If you have ever tried lifting a piano, you may have noticed how heavy this musical instrument is. Different pianos have different sizes and shapes, and thus, they vary in their weight. Despite their size and shape, pianos can be difficult to move around. And if there are stairs involved, it can be even dangerous for you to move the piano.

Moving pianos is always a risky business. You can easily fall or injure yourself if you don’t lift the instrument properly. The piano can also slip out of your hands and get damaged or broken down as a result. However, a professional piano mover is trained to move the piano without any hindrance. So, hiring them will always save you from getting injured or your piano from getting damaged.

2.     Saves Time and Money

Since you lack training and experience, it will take you a lot of time to move the piano. First of all, you will have to figure out the right way to move the piano which can take a while, then lifting the piano and getting it out of your room or house can be a hefty job on its own; and if in the process, you drop the piano, then getting it repaired can cost you a fortune. Therefore, it’s better to hire an expert to do the job and save your precious time and money!

3.     Has the Proper Moving Truck

Professional piano movers always come with a proper moving truck to transfer the piano from one place to another. However, in case if the piano mover does not have a moving truck, it means they are not someone you should easily trust. So, before you hire any piano mover or piano moving company, make sure you confirm if they feature a moving truck. If not, look for another piano moving service.

Conclusion

Moving a piano with the help of professionals can be expensive but totally worth it. Gilbert Piano Movers are known for their grand piano moving services. Give us a call at 480-386-1783 to learn more about our services!

Piano owners are extremely cautious around their pianos to make sure they don’t damage it. Pianos are super-expensive and extremely delicate musical instruments that require special care. Apart from regular maintenance and tuning, you need to go the extra mile to ensure your beloved instrument goes a long way. 
We know how precious your piano is to you, which is why we want to help you keep it in the best condition. We’ve listed down some piano care tips which you must know as a piano owner.

1. Get Your Piano Tuned Regularly

The pitch of a piano falls every year as a result of the soundboard’s contraction and swelling. Piano specialists recommend that the first four piano tunings should be done during the first year, followed by twice a year afterward. The more regularly you get your piano tuned, the more your piano will maintain its tune all year round. It forms one of the most essential piano care tips that all piano owners must know about.

2. Place Your Piano Away from Sunlight, Air Currents, and Moisture

Sunlight causes the piano finishing to warp, fade, and crack. Air currents from windows, vents, and doors can cause the wood to dry out that can result in cracking. Moisture affects the metal components of the piano, causing the rusting, deterioration, and corrosion of tuning pins and strings. Therefore, a very important piano care tip is to keep your piano against a wall that is away from all the factors mentioned above.

3. Do Not Touch Piano’s Inner Workings

The inner workings of a piano, like strings, action, soundboard, etc. are incredibly delicate components. You should leave the cleaning and service of these components on a piano professional only. Many piano owners think they can clean the piano themselves. While there is no harm in cleaning the exterior surfaces yourself, you shouldn’t try your hands at internal cleaning.

4. Maintain the Exterior of Your Piano

Another important piano care tip is to clean the exterior of your piano regularly to maintain its grandeur. Use a dry cloth to wipe the dust off and a damp cloth to clean the keys. Keep liquids away at all costs! It means no flower vases, fish bowls, or drinks should be placed on your piano.

5. Keep the Interior Temperature and Humidity Consistent

Keeping the temperature and humidity levels of the room where you’ve placed your piano is as important as protecting it from sunlight, moisture, and air currents. It forms an extremely critical piano care tip. Pianos thrive best at a 42% relative humidity.

6. Play Your Piano on a Regular Basis

While this may not sound much of a piano care tip, you must play your piano regularly. It will highlight even the smallest of problems that you can get fixed on time. If you don’t play your piano regularly, underlying issues may escalate.

Summary

A piano is nothing short of grand, and it deserves more care and attention than other musical instruments. By following the aforementioned piano care tips, you can prolong the lifespan of your beloved piano! One thing to remember here is – always rely on a piano specialist for piano related tasks, be it repair, maintenance of moving your piano!

Moving large-sized objects is extremely daunting, even more so when the large object to be moved is an expensive piano! While you may think that you can move your piano by yourself, you will only realize how difficult of a job it is when you actually get yourself to do it.
Many people make a mistake of trying to move their pianos themselves, but by the time they realize it was a bad idea, it is already too late. They end up incurring significant losses in terms of piano repair or injury treatment costs! This isn’t the only mistake people make. There are many common piano moving mistakes you should avoid to keep yourself and your piano safe from any harm.

1.     Insufficient Helping Hands

One of the most common mistakes that people make when moving a piano is underestimate the weight of the piano overestimate their strength. Having a friend or two who you work out with might seem more than enough to move your piano from one room to the other until you actually start moving it. Pianos are mighty musical instruments that need a proper team of trained professionals to move. Therefore, the first piano moving mistake that you need to avoid is trying to do it yourself!

2.     Wrong Moving Equipment

Do you think your muscles are all the equipment you’ll need to move a piano? Well, we’re sorry to break it to you, but that just won’t be enough. Moving a piano requires a complete set of necessary equipment, including a piano cover, dolly, and straps. If you try to move a piano without the essential moving equipment, you might not only end up damaging your piano but hurting yourself too. This is one of the most common mistakes that people make when moving a piano, which you have to avoid at all costs.

3.     Relying on Casters

Casters are small wheels that are present on the bottom of a piano. However, while they’re there, they aren’t strong enough to bear the weight of your piano when you’re moving it. They are majorly for decoration. This is one more of the common piano moving mistakes that people make. When a piano is moved on its casters, they might break, causing you to lose balance and grip of the piano, resulting in costly damages to the piano and serious injuries to the people at work.

4.     Rushing Through the Process

Piano moving isn’t something you can rush through. It is a very difficult job, even though it doesn’t seem like it. You should always take your time when it comes to moving your piano, dedicating all your focus and effort to the job. Moving a piano yourself isn’t recommended, but if you really think you have enough helping hands and all the necessary moving equipment, you should spend at least a day making the preparations for the move and then move it the next day.

Summary

There are numerous piano moving mistakes that people end up making only to suffer huge piano repair or medical expenses. If you are mindful and smart enough, you’ll always hire a professional piano moving company for the job instead of attempting to do it yourself. 

Pianos are incredibly expensive musical instruments. They are nothing short of grand (pun intended), which is why they’re so expensive in the first place. Pianos have a class that sets them apart, and if you own one, you would know just how delicate these musical instruments are.
If you want to move your piano from one room to the other, you may think you can do it yourself; however, in reality, moving a piano is not something you can do on your own. Pianos are insanely heavy to begin with. They are also very delicate, which means even the slightest jerk can damage them.  We have listed a number of reasons why moving a piano yourself is not such a great idea.

1.     Moving A Piano Requires Skills and Technique

While you may think that moving a piano is the same as moving any other piece of furniture, that is not the case at all! Moving a piano is anything but a DIY project. A piano can weigh more than 500 pounds, and moving such a heavy-weight item is a technical job. To be able to do it right, you need to have certain skills and techniques. Since you are not equipped with what’s needed to do the job right, you are bound to make a mistake that might cost you!

2.     You Might Damage Your Piano

Let’s say you have enough people to help you move a piano from one room to the other; even then,  moving a piano yourself is not recommended. As we mentioned earlier, apart from being heavy, pianos are also incredibly delicate. You can easily scratch the beautiful exterior or break any of the pedals. The keyboard has to be properly covered and secured too. The mechanics of the piano are extremely fragile, and even the slightest jerk can do significant damage.

3.     You Might Damage Your Home

Pianos are bulky. It is extremely difficult to move them through doorways, corridors, and stairways. The chances that you might damage the paint on the walls or damage a door during the task are fairly high.

4.     You May Get Tangled With Insurance Company

Any damages that occur to your property or the piano during the piano moving job can turn out to be a nightmare for you. The first possibility is that you simply pay for damage repair out of your pocket. The other possibility is filing an insurance claim, and this is where things can turn a bit frustrating. Claims tend to increase your rates. This is another reason why moving a piano yourself is looked down upon. When you hire a professional piano moving company, their insurance covers your damages.

Summary

​Moving a piano yourself is not recommended for a number of reasons, including damage to the piano, your home, or both, and trouble with insurance claims. Hiring a professional to move your piano is what you should do to move the piano around your home!

Imagine this: your guests are sitting in your living room. There is complete silence in the room. Every eye is on you. You play one of Beethoven's composition on your shiny black, grand piano. The guests loved it and your room echoed with applause. Fast forward to today, you are now in the middle of moving out. The entire house is filled with brown cardboard boxes. There, in the center of your room is the covered piano. You now think about how to take your prized possession to your new abode.
Thank your stars that you have found this article because here, we will tell you how to move your piano. Read the article to find out how you can safely move your piano from one place to another.

Tips to Safely Move Your Piano

1. Prepare the Piano

Before you start the moving process, it is recommended that you prepare the piano for the big move. For that, all you have to do is take the legs of the piano off it. This will help you move the instrument in a better manner. It also ensures that the legs are not broken during the move - which can be a bit rough. Taking off the legs also makes the piano a bit lighter, which makes it easier for you to move it around.

2. Dress for the Job

Wear comfortable clothes that don't have tussles or buttons that can get attached to the piano. Clothes or jewelry pieces that will get caught in any of the gears will end up damaging your piano and since this musical instrument doesn't come under the affordable range, it is best that you be extra careful when handling it.

3. Pianos first

When you are moving out, you are likely to fill a moving truck with plenty of items. In that case, it is better if you load the piano before you load other items. This way, the piano will be deep inside the truck and you can support other boxes.

4. Keep the Piano in Balance

Even though pianos are heavy, they have delicate legs. Before moving the piano, it is important to understand how to balance the instrument. If your piano is off-balance, you may end up hurting its inner workings. So, don't rush when moving the piano and go slowly.  If you are moving it on a ramp, go with the bass-key side as it is much heavier.

Summary

​The piano is perhaps the most expensive musical instrument. You will have to pay thousands of dollars to own a set of piano. Even though the piano is a large-sized instrument, it is extremely delicate from the inside. If it is not handled properly, you will end up breaking its strings - making the entire instrument useless. This is why it is important to take care of the piano when moving it from one location to another. And this is why it is recommended to avail the services of professional movers who know all about moving a piano safely.  

Pianos are extremely delicate instruments and can get damaged very easily. Moving a piano requires a lot of skill, technique, and professionalism. You may think you can do the job yourself, but trust us when we tell you this – you will need the services of a professional piano moving company.
If you want to get your piano moved and are looking for professional piano movers, you might benefit from the following tips that will help you choose the right piano moving company:

1. Ask for Referrals and Look Around

The most promising way to find the right piano moving company is by asking around and taking referrals from people who have gotten their pianos moved earlier. Individuals who have dealt with piano moving in the past can tell you about their experiences with the movers they hired. A professional piano moving company will leave its customers fully satisfied with their services, which will be evident in the feedback their past customers will tell you about.

You can also look for piano moving companies in your area on the internet, go through their websites, and make a decision based on customer reviews.

2. Check the License

Moving a piano is not the job of a layman. It is a specialized job that requires a license. For a company to provide piano moving services, they need to be legally qualified. A prerequisite to choosing the right piano moving company is to check if the company holds a valid license. A professional piano moving company will produce a license upon your request without any hesitation.

3. Enquire About Their Experience

Moving a piano requires expertise. The more experienced a company is, the better they will be at the job. Before you hire a piano moving company, make sure to ask them about how long they have been working in the field.

4. Make Sure the Company Is Insured

One of the most important things when choosing a piano moving company is to check if they are insured. When a company is insured, you’ll be compensated in full if any accident or mishap occurs while the company is moving your piano. If the company is not insured, you will end up bearing the loss and expense if something does go wrong during the move.

5. Evaluation Visit

The right piano moving company won’t just show up at your door with the equipment required to move your piano. Instead, a professional piano moving company always does a pre-visit to see how big your piano is, where it is placed, and where you want to get it moved so that they can come prepared.

6. Right Equipment

Since moving a piano is a highly technical job, it will require one or more specialized pieces of equipment. A professional piano moving company will have the right equipment that is needed to move a piano safely.

Summary

​A professional piano moving company will have a good reputation among its past customers; it will have the equipment and the licenses needed to do the job, will be ensured, and will also ensure that it offers the highest quality services. 

Moving pianos isn’t an easy task. Pianos are quite heavy and highly valuable in price. Moving a piano is notably more difficult if it has to be moved into an elevator, down a flight of stairs, or through tight spaces. If you try moving a piano yourself, the chances of you either damaging the piano or hurting yourself are quite high.
The tips listed below will help you move your piano safely without damaging the piano or inflicting any sort of injury on yourself.

1.     Ask for Help

As we said, pianos are quite heavy. Their large size and heavy weight make it almost impossible for you to move them alone. Ask around for help and gather at least four people to move the piano. If you own an upright piano, most of its weight will be distributed on the upper half. The legs of a piano are fragile. You will, without a doubt, need some extra hands to move your piano without damaging its delicate legs.

2.     Get the Right Equipment

If you are not willing to hire a professional to move your piano, you will have to arrange the right equipment. These include heavy-duty straps, a furniture dolly, and moving blankets or padding.
Heavy-duty straps will provide a stronger hold on the piano. A furniture dolly will support the weight of your piano. The piano can be secured to the furniture dolly with the help of the heavy-duty straps. Moving blankets or padding will protect your piano from bumps, scratches, and cracks.

3.     Protect the Keyboard

Before you start moving your piano, make sure that your keyboard is protected. This is because the keys are extremely fragile, and any sort of fall or bump can damage them beyond repair. Close and lock the lid over the keyboard. If the lid of your keyboard does not lock, it should at least be closed when you wrap your piano. You should never use tape to keep the keyboard lid closed because it will damage the wooden surface.

4.     Wrap the Piano

Use the moving blankets to wrap your piano such that the corners are protected. Secure the blanket in place using tape. Make sure that the tape does not come in contact with the surface of the piano because it will damage the wood. The blanket or padding that you are using to wrap the piano should be thick enough to protect the piano in case it bumps into a wall or any hard surface.

5.     Lifting the Piano

You should never lift a piano by its legs because the legs are highly vulnerable and will break if exposed to any kind of force. Whether you are moving a piano down the stairs or lifting it into a carrier, always hold the upper part of the piano. Moreover, you should be cautious not to lay the piano down sideways as it can damage the internal components of the instruments.

6.     Securing the Piano to the Truck

Once you place the piano carefully into the truck, you should secure it tightly to the back wall. The piano should be the first piece that goes inside the cargo truck and the last one to be moved out.

Summary

​While moving a piano, you should follow all the piano moving protocols to make sure you don’t damage the piano or hurt yourself. Hiring a piano moving company is a better option than trying to move it yourself. 

You are moving out of your house, but you want to ensure that you take all your valuable possessions with you. While you are packing your stuff, you gave a long look at your grand piano sitting elegantly at the center of your living room. Oh, the attention of soirees. How wonderful it was when your guests marveled at the instrument while you play the latest song on it!
Are you going to part with it? Absolutely not! So, how are you going to take it with you to your new apartment? It cannot be packed into a big, brown box that your cat has been suspiciously inspecting. The good news is that you have credible moving companies that gladly take the burden of moving off your shoulder and help you take your valuable items with you.
But, what is the cost of moving the piano? If this is what's on your mind, you have come to the right place. Read the article to find out how much it will cost you to move the piano.

Cost of Moving the Piano

The cost of moving a piano depends on various factors including the type and size of the piano and the distance that the movers have to complete. Here is a general estimate of how much it may cost you to move a piano. (Please note that these are not the actual prices and the price may vary in the area you are living in. This article provides a general guideline about the factors on which the cost depends. All the prices refer to the local moving.)

Piano Moving Cost By Size

Type
Size
Average Cost

Upright Pianos
Up to 47" (tall)
$135

48" +
$160

Grand Pianos
~6'
$185

~7'
$210

~8'
$310

~9'
$425

Square
$210 to $395

Pedestal
$210 to $395

Organs
Spinet
$135

Console
$85 to $310

Piano Moving Cost By Type

Type of Piano
Moving Cost

Spinet or Console Piano
$100-$310

Studio Piano
$100-$250

Upright Piano
$100-$295

Baby Grand Piano
$250-$350

Grand Piano
$350-$450

Concert Grand Piano
$450 and up

Factors that Have an Effect on the Moving Cost of the
Piano

The moving cost of the piano can be dependent on various other factors than the size and type of the piano. In this section, let's have a look at the factors that have an effect on the piano's moving cost.

Distance

The distance that the piano must travel to reach its new home is also taken into account when estimating the moving cost of the piano. Movers normally charged a base rate of $50 and then keep adding mileage as part of the fee. Generally, movers charge somewhere between $1.2 and $2.5 per mile.

Storage

While many movers provide free storage facility, some may charge you if the piano is supposed to be kept for a longer period. Since pianos are supposed to be kept in a temperature-controlled room, you'll be expected to pay around $50-$75 per month as a storage fee.

Difficult Terrain

If the movers have to pass through difficult terrain - a gravel road, a steep driveway, etc., - they may ask for some extra fee. They may ask you to pay around $40-$240 per each dangerous turn.

Summary

​The process of moving a piano is complex and this is why it is recommended that you get the services of a professional mover to get your piano to a safe space.