Moving a piano is one of the most challenging tasks you can face during a relocation. These magnificent instruments combine substantial weight, awkward dimensions, and extreme fragility in a way that makes them particularly difficult to move safely. In Chicago, with its mix of historic buildings, narrow staircases, and tight apartment layouts, piano moving becomes even more complex.
Whether you own a small upright piano or a grand piano, the process requires careful planning, specialized equipment, and often professional expertise. Chicago’s unique architectural landscape presents specific challenges that make piano moving here different from other cities. Let’s explore everything you need to know about successfully moving a piano in the Windy City.
Understanding the Challenges of Piano Moving in Chicago
Chicago’s Architectural Obstacles
Chicago’s buildings present unique challenges for piano movers. Many of the city’s residential buildings date back to the early 1900s, featuring narrow hallways, small elevators, and steep staircases that weren’t designed with modern moving needs in mind.
Three-flat buildings, common throughout Chicago neighborhoods like Logan Square and Wicker Park, often have particularly narrow staircases with multiple turns. Vintage courtyard buildings in areas like Lincoln Park may have beautiful architecture, but their elegant curved staircases can be a nightmare for piano moving.
Types of Pianos and Their Moving Challenges
Upright pianos typically weigh between 300-800 pounds and can be particularly top-heavy, making them unstable during transport. Spinet pianos are the lightest option but still require careful handling to avoid damage to their delicate internal mechanisms.
Grand pianos present even greater challenges, with baby grands weighing 500-800 pounds and full concert grands reaching up to 1,200 pounds. These instruments also require disassembly for most moves, adding complexity to the process.
Digital pianos and keyboards, while lighter, still require careful handling to protect their electronic components and often have awkward shapes that make them difficult to maneuver through tight spaces.
Assessing Your Moving Situation
Measuring Doorways and Staircases
Before any piano move, you need precise measurements of every doorway, staircase, and hallway the piano must navigate. Standard doorways in Chicago buildings are typically 32-36 inches wide, but older buildings may have narrower openings.
Measure the width of staircases at their narrowest point, paying special attention to landings and turns. Many Chicago buildings have staircases that narrow significantly at certain points, creating bottlenecks that can make piano moving impossible without special techniques.
Don’t forget to measure ceiling heights, especially in basements and attics where sloped ceilings might interfere with the piano’s height during transport.
Evaluating Staircase Configurations
Straight staircases are the easiest to navigate, but many Chicago buildings feature L-shaped or U-shaped staircases that create additional challenges. Spiral staircases, found in some older buildings and townhomes, may be impossible to navigate with certain piano types.
Consider the landing space at each turn. Small landings make it difficult to pivot the piano, and you may need to plan alternative routes or consider window/balcony access.
Professional Piano Moving vs. DIY Approaches
When to Call Professionals
Piano moving professionals have specialized equipment designed specifically for this challenge, including piano dollies, ramps, straps, and protective padding. They also carry insurance that covers both the instrument and any property damage that might occur during the move.
For moves involving staircases, multiple floors, or grand pianos, professional movers are strongly recommended. The risk of injury or damage typically outweighs any cost savings from a DIY approach.
DIY Piano Moving Considerations
If you’re considering moving a piano yourself, limit this approach to small uprights or digital pianos moving on the same floor with no stairs involved. You’ll still need several strong helpers, proper equipment, and detailed planning.
Remember that piano moving requires not just strength but technique. Improper lifting or tilting can damage the piano’s internal mechanisms, even if the exterior appears unharmed.
Essential Equipment for Piano Moving
Specialized Piano Dollies
Piano dollies are different from regular moving dollies, designed specifically for the weight distribution and balance points of pianos. Upright piano dollies support the piano vertically, while grand piano dollies accommodate the piano’s legs and curved shape.
Protective Materials
Moving blankets specifically designed for pianos provide better protection than regular furniture pads. Piano boards, which are essentially large wooden platforms with straps, help distribute weight and provide stability during transport.
Stretch wrap and heavy-duty tape protect against moisture and keep protective materials in place during the move.
Lifting and Maneuvering Equipment
Professional piano movers use equipment like piano lifting straps, which distribute weight more evenly than regular moving straps. For particularly challenging moves, they may employ stair-climbing dollies or even crane systems for window access.
Navigating Chicago’s Unique Challenges
Historic Buildings and Vintage Spaces
Many of Chicago’s most desirable neighborhoods feature historic buildings with charm and character, but these same features create piano moving challenges. High ceilings might seem helpful, but ornate moldings and fixtures can interfere with maneuvering.
Historic buildings may also have floors that aren’t perfectly level or sturdy enough to support the concentrated weight of a piano and moving equipment.
High-Rise Living
Chicago’s numerous high-rise buildings present their own piano moving challenges. Elevator size and weight capacity become critical factors, and building management may have specific requirements for moving large items.
Some buildings require piano moves to occur during specific hours or days, and you may need to reserve elevators or pay additional fees. Freight elevators, when available, are typically much better suited for piano moves than passenger elevators.
Weather Considerations
Chicago’s weather adds another layer of complexity to piano moving. Cold temperatures can make pianos more brittle and sensitive to impact, while humidity changes can affect tuning and potentially damage wooden components.
Winter moves require extra protection against snow and ice, both for safety and to protect the instrument. Summer moves need protection against heat and humidity, particularly during Chicago’s notoriously humid summers.
Planning Your Piano Move Route
Interior Route Planning
Walk through your planned route multiple times, considering the piano’s dimensions at every turn. Pay attention to light fixtures, railings, and other obstacles that might not be immediately obvious.
Consider whether removing doors from their hinges or temporarily removing railings might create additional space. Some moves require minor modifications to the path to accommodate the piano’s size.
Alternative Access Points
When traditional routes through doorways and staircases won’t work, consider alternative access points. Windows, balconies, and external staircases sometimes provide better options, though these approaches require professional equipment and expertise.
Some Chicago buildings have service elevators or freight access that might accommodate a piano when passenger elevators won’t.
Protecting Your Piano During the Move
Internal Protection
Before moving any piano, secure the keyboard lid and pedals to prevent damage during transport. For grand pianos, the legs typically need to be removed and the lid secured or removed entirely.
The internal mechanisms of pianos are extremely delicate. Even minor impacts can knock strings out of tune or damage the action that makes the keys work properly.
External Protection
Wrap the entire piano in appropriate moving blankets, paying special attention to corners and edges where impact damage is most likely. The finish on quality pianos can be easily scratched or dented, requiring expensive repair.
For longer moves or storage, consider climate-controlled transportation to protect against humidity and temperature changes.
Special Considerations for Different Piano Types
Grand Piano Disassembly
Grand pianos almost always require some disassembly for moving, particularly the legs and sometimes the pedal assembly. This process requires knowledge of the piano’s construction and proper tools to avoid damage.
The piano’s lid may need to be removed and transported separately, requiring additional protective measures and careful handling.
Upright Piano Challenges
While upright pianos don’t typically require disassembly, their tall, narrow profile makes them prone to tipping. Proper strapping and support are essential to maintain stability during transport.
The weight distribution of upright pianos is different from most furniture, with much of the weight concentrated in the cast iron harp inside the instrument.
Building Management and Permit Considerations
High-Rise Building Requirements
Many Chicago high-rise buildings have specific policies regarding piano moves. These may include required insurance certificates, deposits for potential damage, and restrictions on moving hours.
Contact building management well in advance of your planned move to understand all requirements and reserve necessary elevators or access.
Street Permits and Parking
For moves requiring trucks or equipment on Chicago streets, you may need parking permits or street closure permits. The city’s parking restrictions can complicate piano moves, particularly in dense neighborhoods.
Consider whether you’ll need to reserve parking spaces for moving trucks or if alternative loading locations might work better.
Insurance and Liability Concerns
Piano Value and Coverage
Quality pianos represent significant financial investments, often worth thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Standard moving insurance may not provide adequate coverage for these valuable instruments.
Consider whether your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provides coverage during moves, and whether additional coverage might be necessary.
Property Damage Risks
Piano moves carry risks of damage to floors, walls, staircases, and other property. Professional movers typically carry liability insurance, but DIY moves leave you responsible for any damage that occurs.
Hardwood floors are particularly vulnerable to damage from piano moving equipment, and repairs can be expensive in Chicago’s competitive real estate market.
Post-Move Piano Care
Settling and Tuning
Pianos typically need time to settle after a move before they can be properly tuned. Temperature and humidity changes during the move affect the instrument’s tuning stability.
Plan to have your piano professionally tuned several weeks after the move, once it has had time to acclimate to its new environment.
Placement Considerations
Piano placement in your new home affects both the instrument’s longevity and its sound quality. Avoid locations near heating vents, windows with direct sunlight, or areas with significant temperature fluctuations.
Consider the acoustics of the room and how the piano’s placement will affect both your enjoyment of the instrument and any impact on neighbors in Chicago’s often close-quarters living situations.
Making the Right Choice for Your Piano Move
Moving a piano in Chicago requires careful planning, appropriate equipment, and realistic assessment of the challenges involved. The combination of Chicago’s architectural features, weather considerations, and the inherent difficulty of piano moving makes this a task where professional help is often worthwhile.
Whether you’re moving within the same building or across the city, the investment in proper piano moving techniques protects both your valuable instrument and your property. For those handling their own residential moving, piano moving often represents the one aspect where professional assistance makes sense even for otherwise DIY moves.
Remember that a damaged piano can cost far more to repair than the expense of professional moving services. When it comes to preserving your musical investment and ensuring a successful move, proper planning and execution are essential for navigating Chicago’s unique piano moving challenges.
