Piano Moving Services

Relocate Your Piano Safely and Swiftly

Moving a piano requires more than just heavy lifting; it demands specialized knowledge of the instrument’s internal mechanics and a strategic approach to maneuvering massive weight through tight spaces. If you are preparing to move a spinet, console, upright, or grand piano and need to ensure it arrives in the exact same condition it left, contact our scheduling team immediately to secure your moving date.

Whether you are relocating within Airway Heights, moving a family heirloom to a new home in Coeur d'Alene, or transporting a concert grand across Spokane, the risks of improper handling are high. Pianos are top-heavy, irregularly shaped, and contain thousands of delicate moving parts that can be misaligned by a single jolt. Movher provides the specific expertise required to mitigate these risks. We operate extensively throughout the region, serving homeowners in Cheney, Davenport, Greenacres, Hayden, Liberty Lake, Mead, Medical Lake, Newman Lake, Nine Mile Falls, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Sandpoint, and Valleyford. Check our current specials.

• Expert handling ensuring zero damage to your instrument: Our team utilizes technique, not just brute force, to protect the cabinet, keys, and internal action.
• Same-day moving available to meet tight schedules: We understand that closings and lease dates change, and we offer flexible scheduling to accommodate urgent relocation needs.
• Comprehensive insurance for every move: Your asset is fully covered from the moment we touch it until it is placed in its new location.

Fully licensed and insured, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees for stairs or mileage.

Specialized Handling for Uprights, Grands, and Baby Grands

Different pianos require vastly different moving strategies. The center of gravity on an upright piano is completely different from that of a grand piano, and treating them the same leads to accidents. We tailor our approach based on the specific architecture of your instrument.

Moving Upright Pianos

Upright pianos, including spinets and consoles, are notoriously top-heavy. The primary challenge is maintaining balance while navigating thresholds, stairs, or the sloping driveways common in areas like Nine Mile Falls or Rathdrum.

• Protection: We wrap the piano in heavy-duty moving blankets, securing them with bands to prevent scratches to the finish.
• Leverage: We utilize specific piano dollies with rubber wheels that protect hardwood and tile floors.
• Stabilization: The team is trained to lift from the bottom key bed, ensuring the back structure—which holds the tension—is never compromised.

Moving Grand and Baby Grand Pianos

Grand pianos cannot be moved on their legs. The legs are decorative and structural only when static; lateral pressure during a move can snap them instantly.

• Disassembly: We carefully remove the lyre (pedal assembly) and the legs.
• Skid Board Mounting: The body of the piano is placed on a padded piano board (skid board) and strapped securely. This effectively turns the awkward shape into a manageable, protected unit.
• Reassembly: Upon arrival in cities like Liberty Lake or Post Falls, we reverse the process, reattaching legs and pedals and checking for stability before leaving the premises.

The Professional Piano Relocation Process

A successful piano move is a sequence of calculated steps. We do not improvise on move day. From the initial assessment to the final placement, every action is deliberate to ensure safety for the movers, the home, and the instrument.

Assessment and Pathway Clearance:

• Before lifting, we evaluate the exit and entry pathways. We measure door widths, assess the angle of turns in hallways, and check the stability of staircases.
• In older homes found in Davenport or Cheney, narrow door frames may require the removal of doors or hinges to gain extra clearance.
• We identify tripping hazards and lay down floor runners to protect carpets and hardwood from heavy traffic and equipment wheels.

Preparation and Disassembly:

• For grands, the lid is secured or removed, and the music rack is packed separately.
• For uprights, the keyboard lid is locked or strapped shut to prevent keys from bouncing, which can damage the internal hammer shanks.
• All hardware removed during disassembly is labeled and packed in a dedicated parts bag to ensure nothing is lost during transit.

Loading and Transport:

• The instrument is loaded onto the truck using hydraulic lift gates or heavy-duty ramps.
• Inside the truck, the piano is strapped to the wall using E-track systems. It is never left free-standing.
• We use air-ride suspension trucks to minimize vibration from the road, which is critical for maintaining the tuning stability of the instrument as much as possible.

Unloading and Placement:

• We do not just drop the piano in the living room. We place it exactly where you want it.
• We advise on placement away from direct heating vents, fireplaces, or drafty windows to preserve the wood and tuning.
• Once reassembled, we perform a final inspection to ensure the pedals function correctly and the instrument sits level on the floor.

Determining the Viability of Moving Your Instrument

There are instances where the cost of moving a piano may exceed the value of the instrument, or where the instrument’s condition makes moving risky. Understanding when to move and when to reconsider is part of the decision-making process.

Structural Integrity:

• If a piano has a cracked pinblock (meaning it cannot hold a tune), the stress of moving can widen the crack, rendering the instrument unplayable.
• Severe water damage or mold issues should be addressed before introducing the piano to a new environment or moving truck.

Sentimental vs. Market Value:

• Many clients in the Inland Northwest move pianos that have been in the family for generations. In these cases, the market value is irrelevant, and the focus is purely on preservation.
• If the piano is a standard older upright with no sentimental value, compare the moving cost against the price of acquiring a similar unit at the destination.

Size Constraints:

• Measure the space in your new home. A concert grand that sounded perfect in a large hall in Spokane might overwhelm a smaller living room in Medical Lake.
• Ensure that turns in the staircase of the new property can accommodate the length of the piano board used for grands.

Navigating Local Moving Regulations and Seasonal Challenges

Moving a piano in the Pacific Northwest and the Idaho Panhandle presents unique environmental challenges. The weather and terrain in this region directly impact how we schedule and execute a move.

Winter Conditions (Ice and Cold):

• Winters in Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, and surrounding elevations can be harsh. Extreme cold can cause the finish of a piano (especially lacquer) to check or crack if the temperature change is too sudden.
• We aim to minimize the time the piano spends outdoors. We may ramp directly to the door or build temporary traction paths over icy walkways to ensure footing is secure while carrying 500+ pounds.
• Salt and grit on shoes can scratch floors; our teams use shoe covers or swap footwear once inside.

Humidity and Wood Expansion:

• Pianos are made of wood, felt, and metal. Drastic changes in humidity between a damp basement in Newman Lake and a dry, climate-controlled apartment in Greenacres can cause the soundboard to swell or shrink.
• While we cannot control the weather, we ensure the piano is tightly wrapped in blankets to provide a layer of insulation against rapid humidity shifts during transit.

Terrain and Access:

• Many properties in Hayden or Valleyford have long, gravel driveways or are situated on hills.
• We account for the distance from the truck to the door. If a shuttle vehicle is needed because a large moving truck cannot navigate a steep grade or narrow bridge, this is planned in advance.

Comprehensive Protection for High-Value Instruments

When you hire a professional service, you are paying for risk mitigation. The difference between a general household mover and a specialist lies in the equipment and the insurance coverage provided. Movher prioritizes the safety of your property above speed, ensuring that every step is calculated.

Specialized Equipment:

• Piano Skid Boards: These are essential for moving grands. They are padded, reinforced boards that the piano is strapped to, allowing it to slide up and down stairs or ramps without the piano itself touching the ground.
• Heavy-Duty Dollies: Standard furniture dollies can collapse under the focused weight of a piano. We use dollies specifically rated for the high-density weight of cast-iron plates and hardwood cases.
• Locking Straps: We use high-tensile strength logistical straps that lock into place, ensuring the piano does not shift on the dolly or the skid board.

Floor and Wall Protection:

• Moving a piano involves tight turns. We use door jamb protectors to prevent gouges in your woodwork.
• Hardwood floors are protected with neoprene runners or plywood sheets if necessary, preventing wheel indentations from the extreme weight.

Insurance and Liability:

• General movers often have limited liability coverage that pays by the pound (e.g., 60 cents per pound). For a high-value instrument, this is insufficient.
• We offer comprehensive coverage options that reflect the actual replacement or repair value of the instrument.
• Our team is bonded, meaning you are protected against liability should any injury occur on your property during the move.

Why Professional Execution Matters

Attempting a DIY piano move or hiring general labor is the leading cause of damage to these instruments. The sheer weight, combined with the fragile nature of the internal mechanisms, leaves zero margin for error. A dropped piano is often a total loss, not to mention the severe risk of personal injury to inexperienced movers.

We handle the logistics so you do not have to. From dismantling the legs of a baby grand to navigating the tight stairwells of a historic home, our process is designed to be seamless. We understand the acoustic and sentimental value your piano holds. Whether it is a practice instrument for a student in Mead or a performance-grade Steinway in Spokane, it receives the same level of white-glove service.

Secure Your Piano Move Today

Don't leave the fate of your piano to chance or inexperienced handling. Ensure your instrument arrives ready to be played and enjoyed in its new location.

Contact us now to request a quote and schedule your professional piano move.