How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Piano Move
How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Piano Move
Moving a piano safely involves more than preparing the instrument itself. Clear access, suitable parking and a dry, unobstructed pathway all help the moving team complete the job safely and efficiently.
A little preparation before JM & SONS Piano Movers arrives can reduce delays, protect your property and make the move easier for everyone involved.
Have questions about preparing for your piano move? Contact JM & SONS Piano Movers and we’ll be happy to help.
Before Your Piano Movers Arrive
1. Make Sure the Piano Is Accessible
Please ensure the piano can be reached without furniture, boxes or household items blocking the pathway.
Before moving day:
- remove chairs, tables, rugs and decorative objects near the piano;
- clear hallways and doorways;
- move boxes, shoes and other items from the access route;
- remove objects sitting on top of the piano;
- make sure the piano lid and keyboard area can be accessed safely.
For grand pianos, the moving team will require enough space around the instrument to protect it and prepare it for transport.
Do not attempt to move the piano away from the wall unless specifically asked. Pianos are extremely heavy and can damage floors or cause injury if moved incorrectly.
2. Reserve Enough Parking Space
Our piano-moving truck needs to park as close as reasonably possible to the property.
Where possible, please arrange approximately two car spaces outside the pickup and delivery addresses.
This may involve:
- moving household vehicles out of the driveway;
- parking your own vehicle outside earlier to reserve space;
- checking local parking restrictions;
- arranging a temporary parking permit where required;
- confirming whether loading zones have time restrictions;
- ensuring the truck will not be blocked by bins, trailers or other vehicles.
A long carry between the house and the truck can make the move more difficult and may require additional time or equipment.
Please do not rely on a space still being available when the truck arrives, particularly in busy streets, apartment areas or near schools and shopping strips.
3. Let Your Neighbours Know
If the truck may briefly affect a shared driveway, lane way or nearby vehicle access, it is helpful to let neighbours know in advance.
In some cases, the truck may need to stand temporarily across part of a driveway while the piano is loaded or unloaded.
Advance notice can prevent vehicles becoming trapped and reduce pressure on the moving team while the piano is being handled.
4. Keep Driveways, Tiles and Paths Dry
Please do not hose down:
- driveways;
- tiled entrances;
- verandas;
- garden paths;
- external steps;
- decking;
- concrete access areas.
Wet tiles, moss, loose leaves and damp surfaces can become extremely slippery when moving a heavy piano.
If rain is expected, please keep the access route as dry as possible and advise us of any exposed or slippery areas.
5. Clear and Clean All Steps
Any steps along the moving route should be clear before the team arrives.
Please remove:
- pot plants;
- shoes;
- garden tools;
- hoses;
- toys;
- loose mats;
- leaves;
- gravel build-up;
- branches and overhanging plants.
Garden steps should be swept and checked for mud, moss or unstable surfaces.
Please tell us in advance about all steps, including small single steps at doorways. Even one step can affect the equipment and moving method required.
Photographs of the steps and surrounding access are extremely helpful when preparing your quote.
6. Check Gates, Doors and Hallways
Open or unlock all gates and access doors before the movers arrive.
Please check that:
- gates can open fully;
- keys are available;
- security doors can be held open;
- fly-screens will not obstruct access;
- doorways are not blocked;
- removable doorstops are taken out if necessary;
- pets cannot escape through open doors.
Do not remove doors, handrails or gates unless this has been discussed with us first.
7. Secure Pets and Keep Children Away From the Moving Area
Piano moving involves heavy equipment and concentrated teamwork.
For safety, children and pets should be kept away from:
- the piano;
- ramps;
- moving equipment;
- the truck;
- doorways and access paths.
Dogs should be secured in another room or enclosed area before the team arrives. Even friendly pets can move unexpectedly or become distressed by unfamiliar people and equipment.
8. Tell Us About Any Difficult Access
Please advise us before moving day if the property includes:
- internal or external stairs;
- narrow doorways;
- tight hallway turns;
- low ceilings & bulkheads;
- gravel driveways;
- sloping or uneven ground;
- garden steps;
- long carries;
- lifts;
- apartment loading bays;
- restricted truck access;
- balconies;
- timber decking;
- polished timber or delicate flooring;
- building-management requirements.
Clear photographs or a short access video can help us determine the correct equipment and number of movers required.
Surprises on moving day can cause delays and, in some cases, may prevent the move from being completed safely.
9. Apartment and Building Access
For apartments, offices and managed buildings, please confirm access arrangements before booking.
Check:
- lift dimensions and weight limits;
- loading-bay availability;
- truck-height restrictions;
- loading-bay booking times;
- building-manager approval;
- protective lift covers;
- access keys or swipe cards;
- permitted moving hours.
JM & SONS operates a six-ton truck, so underground car parks and loading areas must have suitable height and turning clearance. We do not enter car parks with inadequate clearance.
Where a loading bay must be booked, please allow enough time for the piano to be moved safely without rushing.
10. Protect the Access Route From Other Trades
If the move forms part of a renovation, flooring job or house move, ensure that other trades are not working across the piano’s access route.
Avoid scheduling the piano move at the same time as:
- removalists;
- cleaners;
- painters;
- flooring installers;
- gardeners;
- builders;
- delivery drivers.
Wet paint, unfinished flooring, loose building materials and crowded access areas can make the move unsafe.
11. Remove Items From the Piano
Before the movers arrive, remove:
- photographs;
- ornaments;
- lamps;
- sheet music;
- candles;
- vases;
- piano covers not required for transport;
- objects stored underneath or behind the piano.
Please check benches and stools for personal belongings before they are moved.
JM & SONS will provide the professional wrapping and protection required for the piano itself.
12. Do Not Lock the Piano Unless Necessary
A locked piano can sometimes create complications if access to part of the instrument is needed during preparation.
Unless you have been advised otherwise, leave the piano unlocked and ensure the key is available.
If the piano has a missing key or damaged lock, let us know beforehand.
13. Confirm Someone Will Be Present
A responsible adult should be present at both addresses unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance.
That person should be able to:
- provide access;
- confirm where the piano is going;
- answer questions about the property;
- approve its final position;
- identify any known damage or property concerns.
Please make sure the contact telephone is switched on and answered on moving day.
JM & SONS generally calls approximately 20–30 minutes before arrival.
14. Decide Where the Piano Will Go
Before the delivery team arrives, decide on the piano’s intended position.
Consider:
- adequate room around the piano;
- direct sunlight;
- heating vents;
- fireplaces;
- exterior doors;
- damp walls;
- high-traffic areas;
- flooring condition;
- sufficient space for the piano bench.
Avoid positioning the piano directly beside heaters, open fireplaces or areas subject to major temperature and humidity changes.
The movers can place the piano in the agreed position, but repeated repositioning after it has been unloaded should be avoided.
15. Check the Final Path Into the Room
It is common for the outside access to be clear while the final room remains crowded.
Please confirm that the complete route is ready, including:
- the entrance;
- hallway;
- room doorway;
- final floor area;
- turning space near the piano’s position.
Measure narrow access points if there is any concern, particularly for large upright or grand pianos.
16. Have Photos Ready When Requesting a Quote
For the most accurate assessment, provide photographs showing:
- the front and side of the piano;
- the full staircase, not only one step;
- the doorway and surrounding walls;
- the driveway and truck approach;
- narrow turns;
- gravel or garden access;
- lifts and loading bays;
- the intended delivery position.
Wide photographs are generally more useful than close-up images because they show the overall access.
Moving-Day Preparation Checklist
Before JM & SONS arrives, confirm that:
- the piano and pathway are clear;
- vehicles have been moved;
- approximately two car spaces are available where possible;
- neighbours have been advised if necessary;
- steps and pathways are clean and dry;
- gates and doors are unlocked;
- pets and children are secured away from the work area;
- apartment or loading-bay access is confirmed;
- all items have been removed from the piano;
- the delivery position has been selected;
- the contact person is available by phone.
Why Preparation Matters
Many upright pianos weigh more than 250 kilograms, while grand pianos can be considerably heavier. Their small castors are not designed for moving over ordinary household flooring, external paths, gravel or steps.
Professional piano moving requires the right equipment, sufficient access and a coordinated team. Preparing the property helps protect:
- the piano;
- timber and tiled floors;
- walls and doorways;
- garden paths and steps;
- the moving team;
- your moving schedule.
Why Choose JM & SONS Piano Movers?
- Family-owned and operated—no outside contractors.
- More than 40 years of specialist piano-moving experience.
- Recommended and used by Steinway Australia, Yamaha Australia and Kawai Australia.
- Specialist equipment for upright and grand pianos.
- Experienced with stairs, difficult access, gravel and long carries.
- Video condition report completed before handling.
- Fully insured professional piano-moving service.
- Careful protection of your piano and property.
Related Articles
Rural and beachside properties can involve gravel driveways, uneven ground or difficult access.
Learn how professional piano movers handle gravel driveways.
Once your piano has been delivered, allow it time to adjust before arranging a tuning.
Read when to tune a piano after moving.
Needing a piano moved for that special event Concert or conference
Learn more about our specialist concert and event piano moving services.
Properties with stairs, narrow turns or difficult access may require additional planning.
Read our guide to moving a piano upstairs
Request a Piano Moving Quote
To request a quote, please provide:
- pickup and delivery suburbs;
- piano type and approximate size;
- photographs of the piano;
- photographs of all steps and access;
- your preferred moving timeframe;
- information about parking, lifts or loading bays.
Contact JM & SONS Piano Movers to discuss your event requirements and arrange a free, no-obligation quote.
JM & SONS Piano Movers
📞 0421 085 335
📧 info@jmremovals.com.au
🌐 www.jmremovals.com.au
Family-owned and operated—no outside contractors or inexperienced movers.
Trusted by Steinway, Yamaha and Kawai Australia for a reason.