4 Questions to Ask Prospective Piano Movers

Piano movers provide a much needed service, because very few people can move their own piano without destroying it. With that said, you have to be careful in selecting the right piano movers, to avoid paying for someone else to damage your piano. The following is a short list of 4 questions to ask prospective piano movers, to help you decide who to hire.

1.  How Will You Move the Piano?

Don’t just assume because they say they’re piano movers or offer it as an additional service that they know what they’re doing. Some moving services companies will send five or more movers to lift the piano like they’re moving a heavy box, but that’s not a professional way to move the piano. Those moves often result in “nicks” on the piano, and in the worst cases, a dropped piano that can no longer be used. There’s also the added labor costs for all those movers to move the piano. A professional piano mover will have at least three to five other helpers. Their response to your question should be detailed, and offer specialized techniques for moving your piano. They can often get the job done quicker, which means less labor costs to you.

2. Can My Piano Get Damaged?

The answer is yes, but getting an answer to the question can give you a sense of how honest the piano movers are. If someone says, “No, we’ve done this a thousand times,” then move on. No moving company has a spotless record, and that’s why they press you to buy insurance. You want someone to be truthful up front about the risks of moving your piano based on your situation, so that you can make the right decision. For example, if you live on the fourth floor or a 4 unit building that has no elevator, and the movers have to maneuver the piano down a steep stairway, it may be impossible to move it without it getting damaged. An honest piano mover would tell you so, and work hard to minimize the damage.

3. What Is Your Experience?

Don’t risk moving your piano with a novice. It’s very difficult to move a piano and it takes specialized skill and experience to get the job done. You shouldn’t be the first, second, third or fourth person hiring a prospective piano mover. It’s an unnecessary risk and a piano can be too special to replace with insurance money. Find someone with many years of experience, or at least one or two years under their belt with more than 30 piano moves.

4. Can You Give Me References?

This is one of the most important questions on your list. Don’t hire a prospective piano mover without first calling references. If they refuse to give you a reference, then look for a company who will. When you call the references, ask them if their piano was damaged in any way and how the piano mover worked (or did not work) to resolve any issues or complaints. Also, ask if the piano was delivered in a timely manner and whether they were responsive to calls or questions.

When you get these questions answered, you should ask all prospective piano movers for written estimates. Compare the written estimates and choose the best company to move your piano.