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For many of us, our piano is a sentimental item, something that’s been passed down through generations, or a prized possession that represents a deep love for music.  

Whether you’re shifting houses or looking at moving your piano from one room to another, pianos are a notoriously difficult item to shift, making even the most seasoned mover nervous!

Not only are they heavy, with the average upright piano weighing more than 220 kg, and grand pianos often weighing in excess of 300 kg, but they’re bulky and fragile too.  If you’re facing the prospect of needing to move your beloved piano – it’s understandable that you may be feeling daunted.

Hiring a piano moving company to do the job can be pricey, with piano moving estimates varying widely – influenced by factors like distance, size and weight. This leads many to explore the DIY route. However, moving your family’s priceless heirloom across the country, or even just down a set of stairs, isn’t a task that should be taken on lightly. You’ll want to consider the potential risks to the piano itself, not to mention to your walls, flooring and other furniture. Then, there’s also the chance that you could injure yourself, ending up with something nasty like a slipped disc or a crush injury.

That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to piano moving, covering off the pros and cons of DIY versus hiring professional piano movers.

If after reading this blog you decide doing it yourself is just too risky, but you don’t have a massive budget at your disposal - not to worry! Ezy Peazy offers a range of affordable moving services, including piano moving specialists, who are ready to help in a pinch.

Contents: Best Ways to Move a Piano

  • The DIY Approach to Piano Moving
    • Planning your Route
    • Assembling your Equipment and Team
    • DIY Piano Moving by Type
    • Costs to Consider
       
  • Using a Piano Moving Company
    • Costs to Consider
       
  • Finding Local Piano Movers with Ezy Peazy
    • Why Use Ezy Peazy?
       
  • Moving a Piano in New Zealand: Key Takeaways

The DIY Approach to Piano Moving

Kiwis love a bit of DIY - and moving pianos is no exception.

If you’ve decided to move your piano yourself, there are a number of factors you’ll need to consider before diving in. These include carefully planning out your route, assembling your equipment and moving team (this is not a one-person job!), the type of piano you own and costs.

Below, we’ve detailed all of these various considerations, so you can make the most informed choice when it comes to shifting your piano.

Planning your Route

Whether you’re moving a piano upstairs, from one room to another, or needing to relocate it entirely because you’re shifting house, planning out your route is an incredibly important step. As the old adage goes: failing to plan is planning to fail, and this is certainly the case when it comes to moving a piano!

When you don’t carefully map out how you’re going to get your beloved instrument from A to B, your risk of causing damage to yourself, your piano and your home skyrockets.
Even if you’re just moving a piano from one room to another or even within the same room, there are still some important steps to ensure you’re set up for success.  

  • Clear a pathway for your piano. That means moving any furniture, rugs, light fittings, and so on, that could present a hazard or obstacle. As we all know, pets and small children are the ultimate trip hazard – so ensure kids (of both the furry and human kind) are well out of the way!
     
  • Prepare your piano. Ensure any objects, such as sheets of music or ornaments are removed from the top of your piano, and make sure the lid is closed. If you’re moving a piano upstairs and will have gravity working against you or loading it into a truck, we recommend securing the lid to make sure it stays closed. If you’re transporting your piano across town, or over a longer distance, this preparation step becomes even more crucial. You’ll want to bubble wrap any fragile parts, like pedals, and wrap your piano in blankets to prevent damage to your walls, floors and the instrument!
     
  • Measure everything. There’s no point trying to move your piano if you haven’t checked that it’s going to fit through your doorway. Make sure you’ve measured your piano and the space it needs to travel through – such as doorways, corners and the doorway of your moving truck (if you’re using one). In some instances, you might need to remove your piano’s legs so that it fits. If you have particularly steep stairs, the height of the piano is also important. The last thing you want is to have the top of your piano wedged against the ceiling, because you didn’t take the angle of your stairwell into account!

Assembling Your Equipment and Team

Piano moving is not a solo job. You’re going to need a team of people on hand to help you lift and shift your instrument. The number of people you need will largely depend on the weight and size of your piano, plus the strength and confidence of everyone involved – especially if there are stairs involved. Three-to-four people is usually a good rule of thumb. Make sure your piano moving team has ample time on their hands in case of any hiccups. And whatever you do, don’t ask your Uncle Jim if you know he’s got bad knees or a bad back!

When it comes to equipment, you’ll want to make sure you're well-prepared ahead of time. 
Here are some of the essential items you might need in your toolkit:

  • Packing supplies. If you’re moving home, make sure you’re equipped with packing supplies like bubble wrap and tape to ensure your piano is well protected and so that any parts like pedals and lids are secured
     
  • Piano moving blankets. These are essential when it comes to giving your piano an extra layer of protection and preventing damage to walls and corners in your home
     
  • Bungee cords and/ or strops. These are helpful when it comes to keeping your moving blankets in place to ensure they don’t slip and become a hazard. If you are using a moving truck to shift your piano, strops and bungee cords are essential for ensuring your piano doesn’t shift around while it's enroute
     
  • Piano trolley. While some pianos have casters (wheels attached to the base), not all pianos come equipped with these – and you may have had to remove your casters to get your piano through narrow doorways. Additionally, because you probably haven’t ever used your piano’s casters, it’s possible they’ve become seized over time.  A piano trolley (sometimes called a piano dolly) is an essential tool which makes shifting your piano both easier and safer. These are typically a sturdy, weight bearing platforms, complete with wheels, which you lift your piano onto. These come in different sizes and weight capacities to suit a range of piano types. Keep in mind that if you’re pushing your piano dolly across carpet, you’ll be met with more resistance than you would with a hardwood floor or linoleum. Strapping your piano to the platform to prevent it from toppling off is a must
     
  • Ramps. Moving a piano down stairs? This is where ramps come into their own. Using a ramp means you can simply roll your piano up or down short flights of stairs – like patio steps - rather than needing to strain yourself lifting or carrying it
     
  • Shoulder dolly. A shoulder dolly,, also called lifting straps or furniture moving straps are special lifting straps with harnesses used for lifting heavy items. Consider using a shoulder dolly  if you think you’re going to need to carry your piano at any stage – for instance, if you have a cobbled outdoor path that will make using a piano trolley difficult, or if you don’t have access to a ramp for your patio steps
     
  • Appropriate clothing and footwear. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, plus closed-toe shoes to protect your feet. If you have steel-capped boots - even better! These will prevent your toes and feet from being crushed if the piano is dropped. Gloves can also be a sensible addition. Sweaty hands are not your friend when you’re moving a 300 kg grand piano!
     
  • Piano moving truck or trailer. If you’re shifting your piano to a new home, you’re going to need a piano moving trailer or truck for the job. If you can hire a truck with a ramp or hydraulic lift, this will make loading the piano into the truck far easier (and safer) than if you were lifting it.

Many of the above items can be hired or purchased depending on your needs. For instance, piano trolleys can be hired from suppliers like Kennards Hire starting at around $36 per day.

DIY Piano Moving by Type

When it comes to moving pianos, not all pianos are created equal! Whether you’re moving an upright piano, baby grand or digital piano, here are some specific considerations:

Moving an upright piano
While upright pianos are typically lighter than baby grands and grand pianos, they’re still a heavy item – weighing well over 100kg. You’ll definitely want to assemble a reliable moving team and ensure your piano is protected with moving blankets and/or bubble wrap if you’re doing anything more than moving it a short distance (i.e. across the hallway), plus make sure the lid and pedals are secured. Given its weight, we’d strongly recommend purchasing or hiring either a trolley or shoulder dollies to help transport your upright piano.

Moving a grand piano
Moving a grand piano is a mammoth task and much more involved than other piano types. Generally, grand pianos will need to be partially dismantled before moving. Because they come with a top lid, it’s unlikely your grand piano is going to fit through most spaces. You’ll need to remove the top lid and it’s likely the legs, lyre and pedals will also need to be removed. These will need to be wrapped carefully for safe transport. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure your piano trolley is sturdy enough to accommodate the weight of your grand – and you’ll definitely want to call upon your strongest mates!

Moving a baby grand piano
Moving a baby grand is similar to moving a grand piano – only it’s a little smaller and lighter. You’ll likely still need to remove parts of your instrument before you shift it.

Moving a digital piano
A digital piano is probably the easiest type to move on your own – particularly if it’s on the lighter and smaller side. For instance, some digital pianos will be able to fit in the backseat of a car – what a breeze! Before moving your digital piano, make sure you’ve unplugged and removed all its cords and cables. If your digital piano has a removable base or legs, taking these off will make it much easier to shift. And, if you’re taking your instrument any further than the next room, we’d recommend wrapping it to ensure the instrument is protected during transit.

Costs to Consider

While moving a piano yourself may seem like a cheaper option, the costs can quickly begin to mount up. If you don’t have the necessary equipment, you’ll need to rent or hire these items first. Depending on the size of your piano, a piano trolley can start at as little as $30 to rent, but this increases for larger pianos. If you’re needing to hire a truck, shoulder dollies and ramps too, this adds up.
If you end up causing damage to your piano or home while shifting it, this will of course add extra expenses – think insurance excesses or repair costs! According to Consumer NZ, the standard excess for house and contents insurance in New Zealand is between $250 - $400.
Additionally, just the process of moving a piano, even if you don’t drop it or bang it against something, can hurt your instrument. For instance, tilting a piano on its side or laying it flat can damage its internal mechanisms.

Using a Piano Moving Company

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of moving your piano? We get it!

Thankfully, there are a huge range of piano moving companies across the country who specialise in carefully moving these fragile instruments – and there are plenty of advantages to calling in the professionals.

Not only will specialist piano removal companies come equipped with all of the skills, tools and manpower to do the job, they’ll also have their own insurance cover in the event of a mishap.

Enlisting the help of a piano removal specialist is also something we highly recommend if you are dealing with a particularly heavy instrument, like a grand piano, or a difficult space, such as a steep staircase. Getting a piano upstairs or downstairs, for instance, can be dangerous – and sometimes it’s just not worth putting your own body on the line.

In addition to this, expert piano movers have years of experience to call upon. Many people are unaware that the very act of moving a piano can affect the sound of the instrument, with pianos often needing re-tuning after they’ve been moved. Simple things like changes in temperature and humidity can affect the strings and soundboard within your piano, and therefore the sound of your instrument. So, if you’re moving from humid Auckland to a cooler part of the country, chances are your piano will need a re-tune! Piano moving specialists are equipped with all this knowledge, and will be able to advise you accordingly, ensuring that your precious instrument receives the best care.  

Costs to Consider

The cost of hiring a piano moving company to transport a piano all depends largely on the size and weight of the piano you’re moving; plus the distance you need to travel. For instance, a move from Avondale to  New Lynn in Auckland, will be cheaper than a move from Christchurch to Dunedin.
Some Kiwi piano moving companies charge anywhere from $200 - $500 for moving an upright piano locally and as much as $2,000 for a long-distance piano moving job.
While this may seem like an eye-wateringly high price to pay, when you consider the potential stress, personal injury and damage you could be avoiding – you may decide it’s well worth shelling out.

Finding Local Piano Movers with Ezy Peazy

Looking for an affordable, convenient and flexible option for moving your piano? Ezy Peazy has you covered! Our extensive network of skilled taskers located across New Zealand makes getting virtually any job done simple and stress-free.

Our community of skilled professionals includes piano moving specialists, ready to help you when you need it. Just like any piano moving company you might hire, they’ll come to you with the skills, knowledge and tools to ensure your beloved piano is moved expertly, safely and affordably.

Whether you’re moving house and need help with piano relocation, are facing the mammoth task of moving a grand piano upstairs or are wondering about the best way to move an upright piano to another room in your home – no job is too challenging.

Here’s how local piano movers in the Ezy Peazy community can help you:

  • Completing a callout to your home to assess the scope and difficulty of your piano moving job before preparing a no-obligation estimate.
     
  • Managing your piano moving task from start to finish, including by carefully dismantling and wrapping your piano, bringing a team along to remove your instrument from your home, lifting your piano into a truck and then unloading it and expertly reassembling it at the other end – all while you sit back and relax without the stress of doing it yourself.
     
  • Assisting you with just one part of the piano moving process, such as pick-up and delivery,  or by providing extra muscle to help you and the team you’ve already assembled. Your job is totally flexible and configurable to your unique needs.
     
  • Removing an old, broken piano and taking it away for responsible recycling or disposal.
     
  • Providing a vehicle for transporting your piano and taking it to its new home.
     
  • Taking care of tricky moving jobs – such as moving a baby grand piano up a flight of stairs and ensuring it settles into its new location in one piece


Why use Ezy Peazy?

Thanks to Ezy Peazy, finding reliable, local piano movers is a cinch. 

Simply post a job on our innovative platform, free of charge, list the details of the task that needs completing (whether that’s moving a piano to the second floor of your home, or across town) including your location, preferred budget and ideal timeframe. Then, sit back and relax while you wait to receive offers from trusted taskers near you. Choose the offer that suits you and breathe easy while your piano is carefully and expertly handled without you ever needing to lift a finger.

Your payment will be secured and only released once you’re 100% happy with the work that has been done.

What’s more, if you need further assistance, such as moving other heavy items or help with more in-home moving, Ezy Peazy can help with that too. Whatever it is, there’ll be a tasker for the job.  

With Ezy Peazy, your piano moving job goes from daunting to do-able in just a few clicks!
 

Moving a Piano in New Zealand: Key Takeaways

As Kiwis, it’s often said that DIY is in our DNA. However, there are some jobs, like moving a piano, where things are best left to the professionals.

While some pianos, such as smaller electronic keyboards, are easy to shift, most pianos are incredibly heavy, bulky and awkward - and shifting one, even if it’s just from one room to another, shouldn’t be underestimated.

If you’re dead set on taking the DIY route, don’t forget that doing so comes with some hefty risks – not only to your piano itself, but to your home, joints and spine, too! And while going it alone may seem like a cheap option, costs can quickly stack up if you don’t have the necessary equipment, or you land yourself with an insurance claim if things go awry.

All things considered, at Ezy Peazy, we recommend enlisting the help of an experienced professional piano mover. And, luckily, doing so doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. With Ezy Peazy, piano moving isn’t just affordable, it’s also convenient, straightforward and flexible.

Save yourself the stress, and enlist the help of a local piano mover via Ezy Peazy for your piano moving job!


About Ezy Peazy

Ezy Peazy is an innovative platform that connects Kiwis with skilled professionals to help get all sorts of jobs done. Founded in 2019, we’ve built a wide network of skilled, highly rated-taskers across New Zealand.

From e-waste removal, gardening services and window repairs, through home moving services, Ezy Peazy makes it convenient, simple and safe to find reliable help for virtually any task you can think of. With transparent reviews, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly experience, Ezy Peazy is transforming the way tasks are completed in New Zealand.