Yes. Lake City Mover moves pianos.
Moving pianos is one of the specialty services we offer at Lake City Mover. Every piano is different and requires a different set of tools and strategy to move, especially if there are additional obstacles like stairs involved. All pianos are recommended to be tuned after every move. Pianos also may incur a bulky item fee when moved. We will need to know the make and model of your piano prior to your move to determine the weight and assign the correct amount of movers and equipment to your project.
Moving Spinet Pianos
Spinet pianos generally weigh between 100 and 400 lbs. These pianos are the lightest type of piano to move. Regardless of the weight being only a couple of hundred pounds, spinet pianos still require extra safety precautions when moving them. Spinet pianos are also referred to as upright or vertical pianos.
Spinet pianos should have at least 3 movers available on-site to safely move. Spinet pianos do not require any assembly work in most circumstances. You may find it necessary to remove the music stand before wrapping the piano to avoid potentially damaging the piano.
A spinet piano is usually moved with a four wheel dolly and rolled slowly from one location to another. The piano is tipped upright at a 90 degree angle and the dolly is placed underneath the main area that houses the piano harp. Every piano, besides electric pianos, have a cast-iron harp or plate that is attached to the strings. The piano harp is the heaviest part of the piano.
There are also studio, console and digital pianos that look extremely similar to spinet pianos but weigh a little more and are a little larger. If you are moving one of these models and, or, any stairs are involved, you may require a four person moving team or other types of equipment to complete your move.
Moving Player Pianos
Moving a player piano is very demanding and can require special equipment. Player pianos weigh between 300 and 700 lbs. Player pianos are shaped similar to a spinet or upright piano, but are taller and shaped a little different.
Player pianos are pianos that play music automatically by the use of music rolls. These music rolls are housed in the top area of the piano, known as the spool box. Player pianos are extremely old and require extra care, as they date back 100 years in most cases.
Most player pianos can be moved safely with one or two – four wheeled dollies. The player piano can be tipped up at a 90 degree angle, then set onto the first dolly and then lifted onto the second. Another option is to lift the piano up and set it onto the dolly using multiple professional movers. Moving a player piano usually requires 3 movers minimum, but may require more depending on the different obstacles involved.
Moving Grand Pianos
Moving grand pianos can be a lengthy and extensive process, involving assembly and intricate moving strategies. The grand piano is the most expensive and the largest type of piano to move. For these reasons, we take the most care when moving grand pianos. Grand pianos can weigh between 600 and 1,200 lbs depending on the model.
A grand piano must first be disassembled. First, we remove the pedals, key cover and then the harp cover also called the piano lid. Next, we lift the piano slightly and remove the front right let. The piano is then set down at an angle onto moving pads. The remaining legs are then removed and the piano is completely wrapped.
Once the piano is wrapped completely it is hoisted or lifted up with straps onto a four wheeled dolly for moving. The piano is then rolled safely from one location to another. The process can be slightly different depending on the piano brand and the size of the piano. Moving grand pianos usually require four movers to safely accomplish the task. Some movers will attempt to move grand pianos with just two movers, but this is not recommended due to the safety issues and the potential cost of any damages.
