Keys To Success: Choosing The Right Piano Removals Company For Moving Your Instrument

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Any pianist will tell you just how much time, effort and money goes into maintaining their instrument, and keeping a piano safe while you move homes or relocate to a new town can be a nerve-wracking affair. As such, you will want to take every precaution to keep your expensive instrument as safe as possible, and hiring a professional team of piano movers is the best way to ensure that your piano arrives at its new home in one piece.

However, you shouldn't just throw your money at the first piano removals company you find, as not every outfit out there is fit for purpose. Instead you should keep the following things in mind when choosing between piano removalists, to ensure that your piano receives the best treatment possible.

Is the piano removals service properly insured?

It goes without saying that pianos can be tremendously expensive objects, and ordinary removalist company insurance may not be sufficient to pay you back in full if your piano should suffer a mishap on the road. As such, you should ask your removals company about the maximum value of goods they are insured for before your piano goes anywhere. If it is not sufficient, you may wish to choose another company -- alternatively, you can contact your home insurance company for a temporary extension of contents insurance to the piano, which will increase your premiums but give you added piece of mind.

However, it's not just the piano that should be properly insured -- if a piano mover is injured while moving your piano and lacks the proper worker's insurance coverage, you may be liable for their medical expenses. If possible, make sure your removalist company has a comprehensive worker's insurance scheme in place.

Does the service possess the right equipment?

Any self-respecting piano removals company will possess basic tools for piano moving, such as wheeled dollies for easy movement, protective padding for fragile piano corners and security equipment to keep the piano static and safe while in transit. However, depending on the moving job you have in mind, they may also need more specialised equipment -- lifting straps and hand-operated lifts may be required if you have to take your piano up or down stairs, for instance. Other piano movers may be adept at moving upright pianos but do not possess the capacity to move grand pianos. Make sure to give the service a full account of the circumstances of your move before you receive your quote, as movers may pass the cost of hiring extra equipment on to you.

Is my piano properly protected while in transit?

You should also closely inspect the vehicle your piano is to be transported in to make sure it is fit for purpose. The cargo compartment of the vehicle should be free of leaks and other sources of moisture which can severely damage the internal mechanisms and external finish of a piano. You should also make sure that the piano will be firmly held in place while in motion -- check that straps and ties are secure and unworn.

How does the piano removals service charge its customers?

Some piano moving services charge an hourly rate similar to regular furniture removalists, with added premiums tacked on for specialist equipment and labour. However, it may be more economically viable to choose a mover who quotes flat rates. These rates are based on a number of factors, such as the size and weight of the piano, the distance it is being transported and even the difficulty of the journey itself (twisting roads and heavy traffic can make piano moving more difficult and time consuming). Make sure that you receive a quote from movers operating both billing schemes, as flat rates can work out much cheaper than hourly rates in certain circumstances, such as for long journeys or journeys made at peak traffic hours.

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31 August 2016