When it comes to moving, there are many elements to consider. After all, it can be a stressful process, only exasperated when determining the best way to move not just those little accent pieces or heirlooms, but those large pieces of furniture like dining tables, dressers, refrigerators, and pianos.

In fact, of all the household items one may need to relocate, moving a piano is one of the dangerous and difficult a homeowner can face. As such, it is the reason most choose to hire piano moving professionals to handle the job. However, if you are planning a move and feel the need to try moving a piano, then there are a number of actions to consider before feeling disappointed and wishing you had called in a professional. Here are some tips from professional moving companies on the best way to move a piano from point A to point B.

1. Call a local piano moving company and hear what they have to say. Even if you don’t choose to hire a professional, you can learn a lot about the process.

2. Gather a group of friends to help you. Pianos can be cumbersome and heavy. You will also need lots of blankets, wraparound padding, and dollies or a flat cart.

3. Move all other furniture out of the way of the move space and chart the course from your current piano location to the door and the moving truck.

4. Wrap the piano in non-slip blankets, fold the blankets under the edge of the piano, then tie them in place. Make sure to close the lid! You should also remove the legs of the piano before moving it, as this will help it fit better through the doors.

5. Know the measurements of your piano to find out how much space to allocate.

6. Slide the piano across the floor, with people on either side of the instrument. Turn the rear wheel carefully so that the weight is on both the dolly and the piano wheels.

7. Pack the piano first so it can rest against the back of the moving truck for better support.

8. Once the piano is in its new location, plan to tune it!

Moving a piano is really a job best left to the experienced. If you are moving soon and have a piano to move, then your best bet is to work with a team that knows what to do. Talk to a local moving company or perhaps the person who tunes your piano to find out who they recommend. You’ll be glad you did, especially when you sit down to play!