How to Prepare Your Piano for a Move: A Step-by-Step Guide

Imagine guiding a 700-pound instrument with over 200 strings and 10,000 moving parts through a narrow hallway. It’s easy to see why piano moving requires strategy, not just strength. Whether you’re relocating across town or preparing for a cross-country move, understanding how to prepare a piano for a move can make all the difference between a flawless relocation and a costly disaster. Proper preparation protects your piano’s delicate components, prevents damage to your home, and ensures a smoother, safer move from start to finish. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly what to do before, during, and after the move to keep your instrument secure and sounding its best.

Why Proper Piano Preparation Is Critical

Before you start wrapping or lifting, it’s important to understand why proper piano preparation matters so much. A piano is both massive and fragile, and even small mistakes during a move can lead to costly damage.

Pianos Are Heavy and Delicate

A piano is a fascinating contradiction: it’s built from solid wood and metal, yet inside, hundreds of delicate components work together in perfect harmony. The strings, soundboard, and hammer action are precisely balanced to create rich, resonant tones. But that precision also makes them vulnerable. Even a slight bump or tilt can shift internal parts out of alignment, affecting how the instrument feels and sounds. Recognizing this balance between weight and fragility is the first step toward moving your piano safely.

The Cost of Damage Can Be High

The smallest mishap can result in a big repair bill. A scratched finish or broken leg might cost a few hundred dollars, while internal issues such as cracked soundboards or damaged strings can run into the thousands. Even minor impacts can cause the piano to lose its tuning stability. Proper preparation isn’t just about convenience; it’s about protecting your investment, maintaining your piano’s sound quality, and preserving your peace of mind throughout the move.

Step 1 – Gather the Right Supplies

Before you start, assemble all the tools and materials you’ll need. A solid piano move checklist ensures you won’t scramble mid-process or risk moving your instrument unprotected.
Moving blankets or piano pads – These thick, padded covers are essential for protecting your piano’s finish from scratches and dents during wrapping and transport.

• Heavy-duty straps – Straps provide stability and control, preventing the piano from shifting or tipping during movement.
• Packing tape – Use strong, high-quality tape to secure blankets and wraps, but never place tape directly on the piano’s surface.
• Screwdriver – Handy for safely removing detachable parts such as legs, pedals, or music stands.
• Piano dolly – Upright pianos usually move best on a four-wheel dolly, while grand pianos require a specialized skid board for support.
• Measuring tape – Measure the piano and all doorways, hallways, and stairwells to avoid last-minute surprises.
• Plastic wrap – Great for securing padding and protecting surfaces from moisture during the move.
• Moving truck – Ensure you have a properly sized truck ready for transport. A truck with a lift gate or ramp makes loading and unloading easier and safer.

Step 2 – Measure Doorways, Hallways, and Stairs

One of the most overlooked piano moving tips is measuring the exit path. Before moving your piano an inch, map out your route. Measure every doorway, hallway, and stairway to confirm the piano will fit. Take note of sharp corners, tight turns, or narrow spaces that might require some creative maneuvering. If certain areas seem too tight, consider temporarily removing doors from their hinges to gain extra space. This proactive step can prevent frustrating and potentially dangerous last-minute adjustments when you’re already handling a heavy load.

Step 3 – Prepare the Room and Pathways

Now that you know your piano will fit through, it’s time to prepare the space. A clear, protected path can prevent accidents and speed up the moving process.

Clear Obstacles and Cover Floors

Move furniture, decor, and small items out of the way. Secure or remove rugs that could cause slipping, and cover hardwood floors or tiles with thick blankets or cardboard sheets. This not only protects your floors but also allows movers to roll equipment more smoothly.

Check for Slippery or Uneven Surfaces

Inspect the floor for moisture, loose tiles, or uneven areas that could cause the dolly to tilt. If your route includes ramps or sloped surfaces, ensure they’re stable and non-slip. A secure, flat path greatly reduces the risk of accidents or tipping while the piano is in motion.

Step 4 – Secure and Protect the Piano

With your space ready, it’s time to safeguard the piano itself. This step is crucial for preventing cosmetic and internal damage.

Close and Lock the Lid

Always close and, if possible, lock the keyboard lid to protect the keys. If your lid doesn’t have a lock, wrap it tightly with a moving blanket and secure it with straps. This keeps it from flying open during transport and protects the delicate key mechanism underneath.

Wrap the Piano Properly

Use moving blankets or specialized piano pads to wrap the entire instrument. Cover corners and edges thoroughly, as they’re most prone to dings. Secure the padding with packing tape or straps, but avoid putting tape directly on the wood to prevent damage to the finish.

Remove and Label Detachable Parts

Detach removable components such as the music stand, pedals, and, for grand pianos, the legs and lyre. Wrap each item separately and label them clearly to make reassembly easier later. This step lightens the load and reduces the chance of breakage during the move.

Step 5 – Use the Right Moving Equipment

Moving a piano is all about leverage, balance, and teamwork. The right equipment can make all the difference in ensuring both safety and control.

Piano Dollies and Straps

For upright pianos, use a heavy-duty four-wheel dolly that evenly distributes the instrument’s weight. Grand pianos, on the other hand, require a skidboard to support the body horizontally after removing the legs. In both cases, secure the piano firmly to the dolly or skid using strong straps. Proper stability prevents tipping and helps movers maintain complete control throughout the process.

Team Effort is Key

A piano move isn’t a one-person job. It typically takes three to five people to move even a medium-sized upright safely. Assign specific roles: one person to guide, others to lift, and one to monitor clearances and communication. Coordinated teamwork prevents accidents and keeps both the movers and the piano safe from start to finish.

Step 6 – Hire Professional Piano Movers

Even with preparation, piano moving is not a typical DIY project. The risks, to both you and the piano, are simply too high.

Why Professionals Are Worth It

Professional piano movers have the proper training, equipment, and insurance to handle these delicate instruments. They know how to balance weight, navigate stairs, and load pianos into trucks without straining or tipping. Hiring professionals reduces your risk of injury and protects your piano from costly damage.

How Piano Specialists of Arkansas Can Help

At Piano Specialists of Arkansas, our trained movers handle every piano with expert care. From upright models to concert grands, we provide tailored moving solutions to ensure your instrument arrives in perfect condition. Whether you’re moving across town or across the state, our local team is equipped to protect your piano every step of the way.

Step 7 – After the Move: Don’t Forget Tuning

The move isn’t complete until your piano sounds its best again.

Let the Piano Acclimate Before Tuning

After relocation, give your piano one to two weeks to adjust to its new environment. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause the wood and strings to expand or contract slightly, affecting tuning. Letting it settle ensures a more stable, lasting tune.

Schedule a Tuning with a Technician

Once the piano has acclimated, schedule a professional tuning. This restores its full tonal quality and ensures the soundboard, action, and strings are perfectly balanced. Regular maintenance after a move also helps detect any hidden issues early on.

Final Prep Tips for a Smooth Piano Move

Before you wrap up, here’s a quick piano move checklist to keep in mind:

• Plan your route and measure every doorway, hallway, and stairway.
• Gather all your moving supplies before you begin.
• Wrap, secure, and label each part carefully.
• Never lift or move the piano alone — always have a team or hire professionals.
• Protect floors and walls along your moving path.
• Schedule a post-move tuning after the piano has acclimated.

Taking these precautions ensures your piano reaches its new location safely, looking and sounding as beautiful as ever. For a stress-free experience, trust the professionals at Piano Specialists of Arkansas, your local experts in careful piano moving and handling.