Photo courtesy: MiniMovers
Not to put too fine a point on it, you should only attempt moving specialised items such as pianos and pool tables yourself if you really cannot afford to pay professional movers. Paying a moving company might well be a better alternative than the money you'd have to spend on damaged pianos or repairing friendships! And don't even think about moving a grand across town, let alone up and down stairs, without professional help!
Before you ring and book your move it is important that you know the size of your pool table or piano. Most professional movers are equipped to move regular sized pool tables as well as being able to move upright pianos and baby grand pianos.
Pool tables over 8' x 4' or any piano bigger than an upright or baby grand normally require specialised equipment, so are better to be moved by a specialist company rather than a removalist. Having the correct information - dimensions and definitions - at the time of booking gives your movers a clear idea of what to expect, meaning your piano or pool table will be properly looked after.
How can I help?
However, even if you're taking the sensible option and using professionals, there are still a few simple things you can do to help. Packing away your pool balls and cues, or removing anything from on top of the piano before your movers arrive will help ensure a speedy move - and if you're paying an hourly rate, that'll bring the cost of your move down considerably.
Before moving anything your movers will assess their surroundings taking particular notice to the layout of the house. This will usually involve a walk through of the intended route - again, the more you can do to clear the house in advance, the quicker the job will be.
Checklist
- Make sure you know the type and size of your piano or pool table before you contact your removalist
- Tidy and pack away all loose items - cues, balls, anything on top of a piano
- Lower the lid and lock it before having a piano moved
- Make sure the piano or pool table you want to move is easily accessible from all sides
- Make sure the new location you have chosen is suitable for a piano. Do not move it into cold drafts or close to heating devices
- Be certain there are no obstacles along the route the piano or pool table is moving
- Give your movers very specific instructions on where to move the piano or pool table. It could be impossible for you to shift it around the room once they've left
MiniMovers have fully trained operators and the all the equipment needed to move most pianos and pool tables as part of a normal house move, as a single item, or even just to move them between rooms. You can book online in just a few minutes at minimovers.com or give them a call on 1300 366 000.
MiniMovers suggests:
- For grand pianos and pianolas try Piano Movers.
- For pool tables over 9' x 5' try World Class Billiards.
