Hiring a Local Piano Mover

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Finding a Piano Mover
Licensing and Insurance
Prices
Damage

Finding a piano mover. As with most other services, the best way to find a piano mover is by word-of-mouth referral from another piano owner or from your piano technician. A piano dealer can also recommend a mover (Beethoven Pianos Transfer is our licensed in-house moving service.) Some movers move pianos only, some move all kinds of household goods but specialize in piano moving, and some otherwise competent general movers don't know the first thing about piano moving. Since piano moving requires some specialized knowledge and equipment to do properly, always have the piano moved by a specialist.

Licensing and insurance. Most states require that anyone offering to move household goods for hire be licensed by the state department of public utilities or similar state regulatory agency. To get a license in those states that require one, a moving company must show that there is a need for its services, that it has the proper equipment, and that it has at least the minimum amount of cargo insurance required by state law. In addition, the mover's rates must be approved by the regulatory agency. We've all seen ads of the "two men and a truck--$40/hr." variety, but in regulated states these ads are illegal unless the firm is licensed, and newspapers are not supposed to carry ads for unlicensed firms. Ads for licensed firms will usually be accompanied by their license number. Since the deregulation of the interstate trucking industry in 1980, there has been an increasing tendency on the part of the states to deregulate too. You should therefore check with your state regulatory agency about the current status of moving regulation in your state.

Most regulated states require that movers carry around five or ten thousand dollars worth of cargo insurance, the amount varying from state to state. But this is simply an upper limit or aggregate amount. It does not mean that each item moved is insured for that much. A careful reading of the moving contract will reveal that your piano (for instance) is insured for only so much per pound, the amount again varying from state to state, but usually somewhere between fifty cents and one dollar. This may be fine for your funky old upright, which is very heavy but not worth much, but won't help much if your expensive Baldwin grand is dropped from a third-story window.

To protect yourself against the latter kind of loss, you can buy extra insurance either from your insurance company or from the mover. The cost can run from as little as five cents to more than a dollar per $100 of declared value, depending on whether the piano is insured for replacement value minus depreciation or full replacement value with no deduction for depreciation, and on what deductible is chosen, if any. In some cases, your homeowner's insurance may provide the coverage you need.

Some states may not require it, but you should also be sure that your mover carries personal liability and worker's compensation insurance. The former will protect you in case, for instance, your walls are damaged. Without the latter you may be responsible for hospital bills if a mover is hurt on your property. Don't just accept the mover's word that he's "fully insured;" ask to see his insurance certificate.

Prices. Some movers charge by the job. Others charge by time and mileage and are willing to give only a rough estimate of the total charge, if that. At least you should assume it's an estimate unless otherwise told. It's definitely worth getting several estimates for a piano moving job because prices often vary enormously, even among equally reputable movers in the same locality. However, be sure you are dealing with a skilled piano mover; the lowest estimate is not necessarily the best choice. Also, when comparing estimates, be sure you factor in insurance charges, as some movers include generous insurance coverage in their base price, whereas others include only the state-mandated coverage and charge extra for additional coverage.

The price of a moving job will depend on the type and size of piano and the complexity of the job, because the larger pianos and more complex jobs require more workers. A first-floor-to-first-floor move of a small vertical or small grand usually requires only two people. Moving a full-size vertical or a smaller grand piano up or down stairs requires three, and moving a large grand may require more than three.

* Typical prices for first-floor-to-first-floor local moves vary with respect to the area in which you are moving. For example, a piano move in Omaha, Nebraska is likely to cost less than one in New York City.

Damage. Before the piano is moved, both you and the mover should inspect it carefully and note any pre-existing damage, such as scratches, dents, and loose veneer, on the bill of lading. Then after the piano is moved to its destination, inspect it again and note any new damage on the bill of lading. Most damage to pianos in local moves is quite small and is repaired or touched up by the mover or by a piano technician or refinisher hired by the mover. Only in rare cases, or with some large interstate movers, will you need to file an insurance claim, but if you do, the mover is required to furnish you with the claim forms and process them for you (unless you obtained your insurance coverage independently).

If you are moving locally in the New York City or tri-state area, please give us a call. We specialize in quick, easy, expert piano moving that will give you peace of mind and won't dent your wallet! Please call 1-800-241-0001.