How to move a piano - FL to GA

We're giving our piano to my cousin. What's the best way to move it without spending a fortune?

I always thought the rule of piano ownership transfer is that moving it is the responsibility of the new owner.

What size piano? Uprights aren't too bad. Piano dollies may help. Stairs suck 

Upright, no stairs on either end

When I was a much younger man, I moved a couple of upright pianos with a buddy or two and my 5x8 utility trailer. We just used regular furniture dollies. There wasn't much to it. If I were going some distance, I'd probably rent an enclosed trailer. 

If you have access to sufficient muscle, it's pretty straightforward.  Obviously, a trailer deck is going to be easier to get onto than a pickup bed, but I've always found myself with just a truck and no trailer.  Three or four stout guys highly recommended.  Don't die.

+1 to dollies.  Be glad there's no stairs.  Stairs suck.

Consider the value of the piano, as after any move they will require a few tuning sessions.  And given the availability of free pianos almost everywhere this might be a better option.  My mom's Baldwin, a rather expensive piece when new is only worth a thousand now.  It has required 3 tuning sessions in 1.5 years to stabilize.  In this case it is a family thing and my daughter will take it next.  But it has cost me about a grand to move and tune.

I'd think the best way is telling them to come get their piano out of your house. 

porschenut said:

Consider the value of the piano, as after any move they will require a few tuning sessions.  And given the availability of free pianos almost everywhere this might be a better option.  My mom's Baldwin, a rather expensive piece when new is only worth a thousand now.  It has required 3 tuning sessions in 1.5 years to stabilize.  In this case it is a family thing and my daughter will take it next.  But it has cost me about a grand to move and tune.

I don't think this piano is worth anything but it's been in the family since the 1940s iirc. I got it from my uncle. It's now going to his daughter (my cousin) who grew up playing it. She has 2 little kids of her own now who will learn to play on it. 😊

In reply to dyintorace :

UHauls with loading ramps make it super simple. Roll it in. Tie it to the side. Roll it out when you get there. 
 

I've done several alone with no help from anyone. 

I couldn't give my mom's piano away. It's still rotting in the family farmhouse.  Sad.

Clarification...

I've done it alone, but I don't recommend it.  The last thing you want to do is lose balance of an upright when you are halfway across one of those ramps. 
 

Have a helper. 

People give pianos away for free all the time because the movement is expensive.  Unless this is a special piano. Just have your cousin find a local one and pay to move it there. 

my dad tried for two years to donate a piano. No one wanted it.  So he sawzalled it apart I. His back yard and put it in the trash. 100 year old mahogany piano. Ivory keys.  Not a famous maker. So many of them out there that no one wants them. 
 

sorry to be the grinch. 

What does the average old Piano weigh ?

I would think the bouncing in potholes on the road trip would do the most damage.

Check the local craigslist where your cousin lives and see if you can buy one locally.

californiamilleghia said:

What does the average old Piano weigh ?

I would think the bouncing in potholes on the road trip would do the most damage.

Check the local craigslist where your cousin lives and see if you can buy one locally.

The person wanting it grew up playing it. I assume she wants this piano, not just a random one. 

californiamilleghia said:

What does the average old Piano weigh ?

Moversville.com: Piano Weight Guide & Chart Of All Sizes (With Pictures)

Steve_Jones said:

californiamilleghia said:

What does the average old Piano weigh ?

I would think the bouncing in potholes on the road trip would do the most damage.

Check the local craigslist where your cousin lives and see if you can buy one locally.

The person wanting it grew up playing it. I assume she wants this piano, not just a random one. 

Bingo

My dad bought an 1890's no name upright in the mid-60's and five kids suffered through years of lessons.  Sent the local church piano teacher on a Jerusalem trip based on all the lessons my mom paid for.  

In 2013 we're clearing out my dads house and giving it away. Worthless - ivory keys removed decades prior and replaced with plastic - 8-10 key mechanisms were broken.  Firewood or a catapult to its death. 

Brother-in-law feels it's rare, rents a Uhaul and puts it in his apartment to restore.   Moves nine months later and leaves it with no way to get it to his new place - money lost on security deposit. 

My goal was to get it out of my dads house. 

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Sounds like you succeeded 

Family pianos are like that movie "The Ring"

Best thing you can do is break the cycle of the curse and burn/destroy it to keep it from continuing to curse other people.

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

My friend was also subjected to "mandatory piano" because his mom was a piano teacher.

93gsxturbo said:

Family pianos are like that movie "The Ring"

 

Best thing you can do is break the cycle of the curse and burn/destroy it to keep it from continuing to curse other people.

 

 

No wonder people say Americans have no culture. 

85 years ago, families gathered 'round the piano and made music together.  Now, junior locks himself in his room and blasts death metal.

Evolution. 

took piano lessons and can play anything more than one or 2  songs ?

My girlfriend  had lessons when she was a Pre-teen and could play a few songs , 

I think part of it was all the teachers were old and really only knew old clasic songs , 

If they had tried to teach songs that you heard on the radio the students might have wanted to practice !

And yes we moved that piano a few times ...........Heavy sucker !