Whether it’s because of their financial or sentimental value, or both, pianos hold a special place in the hearts of their owners. That emotional attachment makes shipping a piano cross country a risky proposition. Pianos are heavy, awkwardly shaped, and rely on thousands of delicate parts to work properly. Any mistake while shipping cross country could render a piano unplayable or require expensive repairs. If you’re shipping a piano cross country, here are a few things to consider.
Shipping a Piano
Don’t wait until the last minute. Moving a piano is a lot of work. If you wait until the last minute to start preparing to ship, you’re more likely to make a serious mistake. Whether you’re moving the piano on your own or using a professional shipping service, it’s important to start taking measurements and making arrangements as soon as possible.
Can you move a piano on your own? Moving a piano cross country is a significant undertaking for even the most experienced movers and shippers. Maneuvering the piano out of your property, loading the piano into a vehicle, and securing the piano for the long haul requires skill, the appropriate tools, and plenty of know-how. If you have the right resources and you’re confident in your moving skills, it could be worth it to give it a go on your own.
We recommend using an experienced shipping service. It’s important to remember that moving a piano cross country is a different experience than moving a more conventional item. Pianos are unique, and some shipping services lack the experience and resources to properly ship a piano across long distances. And local moving services are likely to have limited service ranges if you’re moving cross country.
Be sure to choose a shipping company that specializes in piano shipment. Navis Pack and Ship has the expertise that comes with more than 30 years of experience in piano packing and shipping. Choosing a specialized service provider ensures that your valued piano is handled with care. Choosing to pack and move a piano on your own might save you money in the short term, but those savings are lost if your piano is damaged due to mishandling.
How to prepare for shipment. One of the biggest advantages of using a packing and shipping service is convenient pickup service. You can either drop off the piano at a coordinated pickup location, or the service can come directly to your residence or property. For the most accurate quote and quality of service, we recommend these actions before shipment:
Measure: Provide accurate measurements of the piano to the shipping company. This not only gives the movers an idea of the piano’s size, but also allows the company to give you an accurate price quote.
Inform Movers of Intricacies: Will you be moving the piano down a flight of stairs or perhaps out of a window? Is the back left leg more fragile than the others? It’s important to provide the packing and shipping company all of the intricacies of the property and piano, so they can plan the best course of action.
Clear Moving Area: We’re happy to help you move your piano out of anywhere on your property. But the process is easier for everyone if you can clear the moving area as much as possible. This will keep your costs down and limit any potential hazards for you and the movers.
Shipping a piano cross country is a unique task that requires unique solutions. For more information on piano shipping services, contact your local Navis Pack and Ship location.
