How Do You Reposition a Grand Piano

Updated on January 28, 2008
J.B. asks from Glenview, IL
9 answers

I need to reposition a grand piano over a hardwood floor. Just a couple feet, but I'm told it will scratch the floor if we just try to push it. Far too heavy to lift; I don't think I could even get a movers blanket under the feet to drag it. Do I need to call piano movers? Any recommendations, ideas, etc?

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W.L.

answers from Chicago on

How heavy is it, approximately? I moved a one-piece entertainment center that weighed 400 lbs with something very inexpensive that you can buy at Home Depot over a hard-wood floor without any scratching. I need to talk to the MR. to find out brand and how he did it, but for now....is it 400 1bs or less? How many legs or parts touch the floor?

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

I have a grand piano I've moved as well. No need to even use a movers blanket - any blanket or large towel folded up will do underneath each leg/wheel. One strong person can lift by a leg of the piano, and the other person slides the blanket underneath the leg. Do that for each leg.

Make sure the top is down before doing this. Then gently try to push the piano to where you want it.

My previous piano was quite heavy, where it would have taken 2 strong people to get it moved, but my current piano, I can do it!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

We have these things called "moving men" that have helped us move some very large pieces of furniture. They are circular disks that fit under the legs of the furniture and then you just slide it on the floor. We, too, have hardwood floors and they work great. You do have to be able to lift up the furniture a little to put these underneath, then you can slide then under and you are good to go. You may be able to lift it if you just have to lift one leg at a time. My in-laws got these for us, but I think they got them at a bed bath and beyond or maybe home depot. Good luck!

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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

Moving Men.. I think that is what they are called
Little orange saucers that would go under the legs.
I believe Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens and thigs carry them

My mother in her mid 70's uses them and moves things around
She doesn't have a piano to move so I don't know it for sure, but I think every house should have a set. I'm sure they have saved a lot of injured backs as well.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Here is a hint and im hoping it will work...I know you said you cant lift it to put something under the wheels...but next to all four wheels(or however many there are) put like a hand towel by them. Then role the piano over the towels, then when you clear the towels move them again....keep trying this till you get the piano where you want it...hope this helps.
K.

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K.W.

answers from Chicago on

Go to Walgreen's or any store that sells "Only seen on TV products". Buy these discs called MOVING MEN. Place the discs under the feet of the piano and it will glide across the floor. Read instructions carefully.

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A.B.

answers from Chicago on

My husband and I are both piano technicians and I can guarantee that rolling the piano on hardwood floors will gouge the wood badly. The edges of the piano wheels are very sharp and the weight is an issue - particularly if the piano is old and the wheels a bit rusty.

The best way to move it is to lift the piano. A grand piano weighs between 1500 to 3000 lbs. Three very strong men should be able to lift it a little to move if it is only a few inches. Another possibility is to place moving sliders under each wheel. Sliders can be purchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond, or any hardware store. Be sure to place the wheels sideways so they don't move off the sliders. It is easiest to place the sliders under each wheel by getting on hands and knees and lifting the piano with your back (or you significant other). It will most likely take two people to do this but my husband and I frequently place casters under piano wheels this way.

Finally, if no luck any other way- call piano movers. It will be cheaper than repairing your floor. I would also recommend placing casters under the wheels after the piano is positioned. This keeps kids from trying to push the piano around, hurting themselves on the wheels by getting their fingers pinched and most importantly disctributes the weight of the piano on more than just an inch of flooring. Many homes in CHicago are not reinforced enough to withstand the weight of any piano (even the smallest ones) so casters help to distribute weight a bit more evenly and prevent your floor from bowing inwards towards the pianos.

If you have any other questions, or need names and numbers of reputable movers, please feel free to contact me.

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

If it doesn't have wheels you'll have to pick it up to move it. If it has wheels, move it very slowly. Our has wheels and we moved it that way without damaging the floors.

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J.M.

answers from Chicago on

I have a grand piano too...we have moved it over carpet before, very short distances & had no problem with moving it or with the carpet afterwards. But it does take several men to move. I can't see why you couldn't have those same strong men pick up each end & slide a mover's quilt under each leg. You should have no trouble with that.

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