How to Prepare a Piano or Gun Safe for Moving
Pianos and gun safes are the two household items most likely to injure someone or damage a house when they are moved badly. The moving is a job for a trained crew. The preparation is yours, and it makes the day shorter and safer.
Pianos: measure first
Write down the piano’s type and size, then measure every doorway, hallway turn and staircase between it and the street. Count the steps at both homes. Those numbers decide the crew size and the equipment.
Pianos: before the movers arrive
- Clear the whole path of rugs, furniture and wall hangings
- Take everything off the top and empty the bench
- Close the keyboard lid, and lock it if it has a lock
- Photograph the finish so existing marks are on record
- Keep children and pets in another room
- Do not roll it on its own casters, which are not built for it
Pianos: after the move
Place the piano away from air vents, exterior doors and direct sun, which matters in Florida humidity. Let it settle for two to three weeks before having it tuned.
Safes: know what you have
Find the make, model and weight, usually on a plate inside the door or in the manual. A home gun safe commonly weighs 300 to 1,000 pounds empty, and large models weigh far more. Tell your mover the figure before move day.
Safes: before the movers arrive
- Remove firearms, ammunition, documents and valuables
- Take out or secure loose shelves and drawers
- Close the door and throw the bolts
- Remove the anchor bolts if the safe is fixed to the slab
- Measure doorways and thresholds on the way out and the way in
- Check that the floor at the new home can carry the weight, especially upstairs
What not to do
- Do not try to walk a safe or a piano across a floor
- Do not lay a safe on its door
- Do not use an ordinary appliance dolly for either
- Do not leave the job to helpers who have never done it
Common questions
Do I need to empty a gun safe before it is moved?
Yes. Remove firearms, ammunition and valuables. It makes the safe lighter and protects what was inside.
Can a grand piano be moved on its side?
Yes. Grands are moved on their side on a padded piano board with the legs and lyre removed. Uprights stay upright.
How soon can a piano be tuned after moving?
Give it two to three weeks to adjust to the new room first.
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