Specialist Piano Movers Or General Hauliers? Options

[Music Bird]

Hello everyone - I haven't been on the forum for ages but glad to be back! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I wanted to ask your thoughts on the best way of relocating an upright piano. I am moving house soon and the removal company is happy to take my beloved piano, saying that they do this as routine and apparently being a bit surprised when my husband told them that I was thinking of using a specialist company. They said they've never experienced any problems in fifteen or so years apart from one occasion. I still feel a bit uneasy though and have spoken to a lovely 'piano man' who moves them all the time as his job. This will obviously cost me a lot more but he will take individual care of it and make sure that all is well once it is settled into its new home. He also said he'd take care of the floors. This is important as we are moving temporarily into rented accommodation.

I would really value your comments about your own experiences. I feel pretty certain that I will use Mr Piano Man but also feel that I may be going 'over the top' and worrying unnecessarily as well as involving myself in extra expense. HELP!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Thanks for reading this - I look forward to your comments. I know there are no certainties in life but it's good to share the concerns.

[Banjogirl]

We've only ever used the 'normal' removal men and they've been very good. The last lot looked a bit sad when we said the piano had to go up nine steps but they handled it very carefully. When we came to move it from one room to another we realised how very hard it was to get it through the doorway of the room it was in, but the removal men just took it in their stride.

[fsharpminor]

Last time we moved we used Pickfords. No problems for them, but I suppose they are one of the largest national movers anyway.

[muffinmonster]

Years ago I had two bad experiences with general movers that made me think it's better to use a specialist. In the first case the two men got stuck on my stairs and were unable to move either up or down, just to support the piano (looking as if they would lose their hold on it at any second). I had to run next door to seek the help of one of my (new) neighbours.

In the second case, having learned my lesson, I made a point of stressing on the phone that there was a piano among my possessions, and asked the man if he was OK with that. He said he was. Nevertheless, when he had completed the removal, he tried to get me to pay extra because the piano was 'very heavy'. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I have since successfully used general removers, but they were a much bigger firm and knew what they were doing, I suppose

[Fantasia in P major]

Dear Muffinmonster,

Personal experience - get the specialists!

Piano was bashed so badly pedals were vertical and had to end up suing them for the money for the repairs.

Piano has never been the same since.

[astrakhan]

I still have the image stuck in my mind of the general movers we used as they moved my boyfriend's Hammond Organ into our flat using one of those little lift things, then they had to bring it in through the window pushing and shoving all four of them.. It swayed horribly as the lift started up, looked like it was going to fall off... my boyfriend's face was a picture.

The previous move he used specialists; a Hammond is very heavy, but these two guys used harnesses and had no problems at all bringing it up the stairs.

I'd be inclined to go with the specialists, although I suppose a lot of people move pianos and it may not be such a "specialist" job. Good luck with your decision and your move! Hope it all goes well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Misterioso]

I'd go with those who suggest using the specialists.

When I bought my first brand new piano 20 years ago, it was transported from Manchester to Inverness by a specialist piano remover, contracted by the piano seller (Forsyths). At Inverness, it was transferred to a local haulage company to get it across the water (we are in the Outer Hebrides). They had such problems getting it in the house that when they eventually managed it, both front corners had sustained damage. It was relatively minor, but not what most people plan for their first ever piano, and new from the shop at that!

Music Bird, your normal removal men may be fine, but you can never be absolutely sure. Go for the specialists and have some peace of mind. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(By the way, someone mentioned Pickfords - they wouldn't cross the water at all when we moved here. Not impressed.)

[vectistim]

I was once moving a harmonium with a priest and we sort of had it wedged between two doorways, he didn't take too kindly to my question that if it takes a mustard seed of fairth to move a mountain how much is needed to move a harmonium.

[Susie]

I sincerely would NOT recommend Pickfords.

But I have subsequently used general removals firms and they have been ok. I think I just stressed how very heavy my piano seems to be! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[maggiemay]

I sincerely would NOT recommend Pickfords.

Ditto. Never again.

[John451]

I think the circumstances I would use professional piano movers would be:

- if the piano was a grand
- if it was an very expensive upright
- if the access out of your current home/room where it sits was tricky
- if the access into your future home/room where it will go was tricky

If I did use a general removal firm I would stress that I wanted men who had had experience of moving pianos.

[Banjogirl]

We bought our first piano from a dealer in the borders. The owner was a fascinating man who must have been in his seventies. He had loads of pianolas and rolls for them and I was very tempted to add one of them to my basket, as it were. Anyway, when the piano came the movers were the old man's son, and the old man! They wheeled the piano on its trolley to our door and then just lifted it into the house, just the two of them. I was very relieved when the piano was in its place and the old man was still alive!

[SueHM]

Compare the cost of paying a specialist to the cost of repairing or replacing your piano. It's a no brainer.

[Solari]

Compare the cost of paying a specialist to the cost of repairing or replacing your piano. It's a no brainer.

Well, the firm would presumably be insured so it wouldn't be at your cost, certainly inconvenience, though...

You could always get these two in! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
(IMG:http://www.bigparadela.com/route-tt-howto/files/laurel-0026-hardy-vendome-st.-music-box-2.jpg)

[julio]

Definately go for the specialist. I might be tempted to cut corners for some things but my piano is too precious to me to risk!