FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Calling A1 Pianos
What Type of piano is to be moved. The 3 main types of pianos are uprights, baby grands and full sized grands.
1. The address where the piano is located, and the address where the piano is being delivered too.
2. Any steps, stairs, turns or landings, inside or outside of both locations.
3. Preferred move date. (if you have one available).
Any other special needs or circumstances need to be made clear before the move. Otherwise you may incur additional charges on the delivery day.
The amount of notice that is needed will depend on when you need the piano to be collected and delivered. It is common for A1 piano removals to work on a first come, first served basis.
You may need to give us up to 2-3 weeks notice, especially at busy times of the year (People moving house). When it is not that busy, you might only need to give them a day or two’s notice. If you do need your piano to be moved on a certain day, you should let us know as much in advance as possible.
We’ve all wondered how much it costs to move a piano, and it can depend on a few factors. The size of the piano, the distance it needs to travel, and any obstacles that need to be overcome can all play a role in the cost. Also, many professional movers will charge an extra fee if they need to move the piano up or down a staircase.
The cost of a professional piano move can range from £80 to £2,000, depending on the factors mentioned above. If the move is short and simple, you may be able to find a professional mover for as low as £90. However, if the piano needs to be moved up or down a staircase or if it has to travel a long distance, the cost can increase significantly.
It’s also important to note that some movers may charge extra for insurance or for the use of specialized equipment. If you’re considering hiring a professional mover, make sure to ask about any additional fees before you agree to the service.
You may also be able to save money by moving the piano yourself. However, it’s important to know that moving a piano on your own can be a difficult and dangerous task. It’s best to leave it to the professionals if you have any doubts.
We’ll show you how to prepare a piano for moving. Before taking on a piano move, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that the piano is properly secured and transported safely.
First, it’s important to make sure the piano is properly tuned and cleaned. If the piano hasn’t been tuned recently, you should have it professionally done before the move. You can also clean the exterior of the piano to remove any dust or grime.
Next, you should disconnect and secure all of the pedals and other removable parts of the piano. This will help to protect them from being jostled during the move. You should also protect the keyboard by covering it with a sheet or blanket. You should also secure the interior of the piano so that it won’t shift during the move.
Once the piano is secured and all of the removable parts are disconnected, you can begin the process of wrapping the piano in blankets or other protective materials. You should use blankets or moving pads to ensure that the piano isn’t exposed to dirt, grime, and other debris during the move.
The last step is to secure the piano in the moving truck. You should use straps and other securing materials to make sure the piano doesn’t shift during the move. Once the piano is secure in the truck, then you can begin the move.
Following these steps will help to ensure that your piano is properly prepared for a move, and that it arrives safely at its destination.
Moving a piano
We use specialized equipment and tools, such as straps, dollies, and ramps, to move a piano safely. Here are a few pieces of equipment that are essential for a successful piano move:
- Piano dolly: A wheeled platform with a long handle for easy manoeuvrability.
- Straps: Securing the piano to the board helps steady the instrument for transport.
- Ramps: Moving a piano up or down a ramp requires careful manoeuvring and strength.
- Soft moving blankets: Wrapping the piano in blankets helps protect it from bumps and scratches.
Each of these pieces of equipment is essential for a successful piano move. Professional piano movers have years of experience and understand the best methods for safely moving a piano. They understand the weight and size of a piano and know how to use the right equipment to get the job done. They also use the correct techniques to ensure that the piano is transported safely and securely.
Measure the space | Get the right tools | Use a dolly or cart | | Wear sturdy shoes | Remove obstacles | Secure the piano | | Be aware of surroundings | Protect the floor | Use the right technique |
We should also consider the weight of the piano. Grand pianos can weigh up to 1000 pounds while upright pianos weigh around 400 pounds. This means that we need to make sure we have the right tools and equipment for the job. We should also wear protective gloves, eyewear and shoes to protect ourselves from any potential injuries.
When it comes to preparation, we need to measure the space to ensure the piano will fit. We should also remove any obstacles that could get in the way. Additionally, we need to protect the floors from any possible damage.
It is important to consider whether it’s better to move a piano ourselves or hire professional movers. When deciding, here are a few key considerations to keep in mind:
- Cost: Moving a piano yourself may be cheaper than hiring professional movers, but the cost of renting the necessary equipment and/or hiring additional help should be factored in.
- Safety: Professional movers are experienced in safely transporting large, heavy items like pianos. Attempting to do it yourself may put yourself, your property, and the piano at risk of damage.
- Time: Moving a piano yourself will likely take longer than it would take professional movers.
- Difficulty: Pianos can be difficult to move, and may require special equipment or multiple people to safely transport it.
- Logistics: Professional movers are familiar with the logistics of moving pianos. They’ll be able to coordinate the best route and plan ahead for any road closures or narrow passageways.
When deciding whether to move a piano yourself or hire professional movers, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Professional movers may be more expensive, but they can provide the experience and expertise needed to transport your piano safely and efficiently.
Over time, as the piano sits in one place, the casters tend to deteriorate. So they can easily jam up on you when you go to push the piano. Pushing a grand piano around on its leg casters can cause a leg to break. Pushing an upright piano could break both front legs. Some uprights have 4 decorative legs with casters and any one of them could be easily broken by pushing the piano. Please be aware that this can also majorly damage your flooring. We have been called out to people that have called up a friend with a van and they do more damage than good.
More Frequently Asked Questions
The answer is no, unless whoever is moving it has a bad accident. Moving your piano cannot actually affect the sound of it. In general, the sound of a piano can change due to variations in humidity and temperature. This causes the steel and wood parts in a piano to contract and expand. Once moved, the tuner may tune the piano only after it has settled in a room for 2-3 weeks.
We’d also suggest considering a few extra factors when moving a grand piano:
- Size: Grand pianos are larger than other pianos, so they require more people to move them safely.
- Weight: Grand pianos are usually heavier than other pianos, so it’s important to have the right equipment to move them.
- Distance: If the grand piano is being moved over a long distance, special precautions may need to be taken to ensure that it’s properly secured and transported.
- Finish: Grand pianos have a delicate finish, so it’s important to take extra care when handling them to avoid scratches or other damage.
- Experience: Grand pianos are complex instruments, so it’s important to hire experienced movers who know how to properly handle one.
Moving a grand piano is a delicate operation and requires a team of experienced professionals. When selecting a piano moving company, make sure to ask about their qualifications and experience with grand pianos. It’s also important to ask about insurance coverage and any additional fees associated with moving a grand piano.
With the right preparation and experienced movers, the process of moving a grand piano can go smoothly.
If our piano won’t fit through the door, we’ll need to take extra steps. The first option is to disassemble the piano. If you’re not familiar with how to do this, it’s best to contact a professional to help. They’ll have the necessary tools and skills to take it apart properly.
The second option is to modify the doorframe. Depending on the size of the piano, it may be possible to remove the door frame and then reassemble it to make it wider. This is a more expensive option, but it might be the only way to get the piano through the door.
Finally, you can look into hiring a third-party company to move the piano. This is more expensive than the other two options, but it’s the most reliable. Professional movers will have the necessary equipment to move the piano safely and efficiently.
When dealing with a piano that won’t fit through the door, it’s important to consider all of your options. Taking the time to explore each option will help you make the best decision for your situation. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a final decision.
We’ll always take extra steps to protect your piano during a move. To ensure your piano is safe, we’ll use the following methods:
- We’ll wrap the piano in special moving blankets to protect against any scratches or dents.
- We’ll use furniture dollies and straps to secure the piano onto the dolly.
- We’ll use a team of experienced professionals to move the piano, and they’ll be properly trained on how to lift the piano.
These methods help ensure your piano is moved safely and without any damage.
We understand how much of an investment a piano is, and we take extra care to make sure it’s treated with the utmost respect. Our team of professionals are experienced and trained in the proper techniques for moving a piano, so you can rest assured that your piano will be in good hands.
We’ll also take the time to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have about the move.
We’d recommend getting insurance for your piano move to cover any potential damages. When moving a piano, it’s important to ensure that the instrument is protected from any unexpected damage or injury. The best way to do this is to purchase an insurance policy that will cover the costs of any unexpected repairs or replacements.
Generally, most insurance policies will cover the cost of repairs or replacements due to any physical damage or loss caused by the move, as well as any legal costs associated with the move. It’s important to note that while insurance may be available for piano moves, it isn’t always necessary.
When searching for an insurance policy, it’s important to look for one that meets your specific needs. For example, if you’re moving a piano within the same city, you may not need to purchase a comprehensive policy that covers all possible damages. However, if you’re moving a long distance, you may want to consider a policy that covers all potential risks. Additionally, it’s important to compare policies from different companies and choose one that offers the best coverage at the best price.
In addition to insurance, it’s also important to take other steps to ensure the safety of your piano during the move. This includes making sure the piano is properly secured and wrapped for transport, as well as hiring a professional to handle the move. This will help to ensure that the piano is protected from any unexpected damages or injuries.
It usually takes us a few minutes to move a upright piano and a couple of hours to do a grand piano. This depends largely on the size of the piano, the complexity of the move, and the distance it needs to go. In general, we can generally expect the following when it comes to moving a piano:
- Accessibility: If the piano is on an upper floor, it may take longer to move as we’ll need to use special tools and equipment to make the move.
- Preparation: We need to make sure that the piano is properly prepared for the move. This may include packing the piano in special wrapping, securing the keys and pedals, and making sure the instrument is balanced.
- Distance: The further the piano needs to be moved, the longer the move will take. We need to factor in the time it takes to get to the destination, load the piano onto the truck, and unload it at the other end.
- Transportation: If the piano needs to be transported by a third-party trucking company, it will take longer as we need to make sure the piano is safely loaded onto the truck and unloaded at the other end.
- Setup: If the piano needs to be setup in its new home, this will also add to the time of the move. We need to make sure that the piano is placed in the correct spot and properly levelled.
