[deb133]

Hello everyone, we have a grand piano up North that MUST make the trip to TV. It will be about a 1200 mile move. Has anyone moved a similar item and how did that go? Any advice would be appreciated.

[CaliforniaGirl]

If you hire a professional mover, they will arrange for a third-party service to disassemble and reassemble your piano. Once disassembled, it can be moved safely. The third party service will remove the lyre, the lid and support rod, the pedal assembly, the legs, and will either remove or lock down the keyboard. After delivery, the third party service will put it back together. You will then have to have it tuned (not part of the cost of your move.)

Almost all items that require servicing prior to being moved (front load washers, gas dryers, icemakers, grandfather clocks) can be serviced much cheaper by a local contractor you hire yourself than having your mover arrange the servicing. Grand pianos are no exception - you can hire a local service yourself and save money. However, your piano will be listed as DBO (disassembled by owner) and your mover will deny liability if there is any damage. This is the one instance where it's worth it to pay the extra $$ to have the mover arrange for service and accepting liability for it.

[deb133]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGirl

If you hire a professional mover, they will arrange for a third-party service to disassemble and reassemble your piano. Once disassembled, it can be moved safely. The third party service will remove the lyre, the lid and support rod, the pedal assembly, the legs, and will either remove or lock down the keyboard. After delivery, the third party service will put it back together. You will then have to have it tuned (not part of the cost of your move.)

Almost all items that require servicing prior to being moved (front load washers, gas dryers, icemakers, grandfather clocks) can be serviced much cheaper by a local contractor you hire yourself than having your mover arrange the servicing. Grand pianos are no exception - you can hire a local service yourself and save money. However, your piano will be listed as DBO (disassembled by owner) and your mover will deny liability if there is any damage. This is the one instance where it's worth it to pay the extra $$ to have the mover arrange for service and accepting liability for it.

Thanks so much! We got a quote for $1800 to move the piano alone but, I now think we will have it moved with what is left of our furniture by a reputable professional moving firm and just have it insured the way you suggested. Just the answer I was hoping for...

[graciegirl]

A friend moved her beautiful grand piano from the midwest to a rental home while they were looking for a home to buy. Then she moved it to the home they chose where it lives beautifully.

[LELANDJANE]

My piano was moved by the moving company that moved the entire house. They also reassembled the piano in the new house. I saw that it travelled tied to the side of the van. It arrived in perfect condition.