Moving with a piano: what we actually do

An upright weighs 200 to 400 kg. A baby grand is 250 to 350 kg. A full concert grand can hit 500 kg. The weight is unevenly distributed, the legs and pedals are fragile, and the soundboard does not like being knocked.

Two crew members and the right hardware is the minimum. Trying to muscle a piano with three blokes and a couch trolley is how floors get damaged and pianos get cracked.

Piano dolly. Specialised four-wheel platform that takes the full weight, with leverage points for steps.

Piano blankets and straps. Heavier than standard furniture blankets, designed to wrap a casing without scratching.

Floor protection. We lay carpet or board down on hardwood and tile so the dolly wheels don't mark the surface.

On a baby grand, we de-leg before loading. Lay the body on its side on a cushioned dolly, separate the legs and pedal lyre, and crate them. Reverse on delivery.

Most Northern Rivers homes are single-storey, but Bangalow and Mullumbimby have plenty of two-storey jobs. Stairs are doable for an upright with two crew and a stair-climbing dolly, no power tool gimmicks.

Spiral stairs, narrow Queenslander hallways, or external steps with a sharp turn are the hard ones. We'll do a walk-through before quote so we know what we're dealing with.

Local Northern Rivers piano move with normal access: $280 to $480 above a standard hourly rate.

Long-distance piano move (Byron to Brisbane, say): $580 to $920 above the standard interstate quote.

Hard access (stairs, tight driveways, second-floor without lift): adds $120 to $300 depending on what's required.

We always quote a clear number up front, including the piano. No surprises on invoice.

Always. Any move shifts the soundboard slightly and a tune is recommended within 4 to 6 weeks of moving in to let the timber settle in the new climate.

We can recommend Northern Rivers piano tuners who do good work. Just ask.