Moving Piano Between Homes? Plan the Storage Stage Too
A step-by-step planner for moving house in Sydney when your piano needs somewhere safe to wait
Planning a piano move?
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✔️ Steps 1 and 2: Before the Move and on Moving Day
Start with a calendar. Write down the day you leave the old place, the earliest day the new home is ready, and any buffer you want in case settlement moves. That tells you whether you need a few days of piano storage or several months. Share those dates when you ask for a free quote so the piano removal and the later delivery from storage can be planned as one job. Availability is often same-week, but a fixed moving date is easier to secure with a little notice.
Walk Both Routes Before the Truck ArrivesLook at the path out of your current home and the path into the new one. Count the stairs, note narrow hallways, tight turns, gates and sloping driveways, and measure doorways if you are unsure. Tell the removalists about all of it, including parking limits in the street. Nothing on this list stops a move, but knowing it in advance lets the crew bring the right gear and avoids surprises on the day.
What Happens When the Crew Turns UpOn moving day a team of three of our own employees does the lifting, never subcontractors. A grand piano is wrapped, strapped to a padded piano skid and walked out on trolleys; an upright travels on a dolly under heavy-duty blankets.
Tail Lift, Enclosed Truck, Insured
The piano is raised by a 1-tonne wide platform hydraulic tail lift into a fully enclosed, waterproof truck with GPS tracking, then secured with ratchet straps, with insurance applying from pickup to drop-off. Your job is simply to keep the path clear and keep children and pets out of the way.
✔️ Step 3: Choosing Piano Storage Conditions in Sydney
Wood, felt and strings react to their surroundings. Big swings in humidity and temperature make timber swell and shrink, which can loosen parts and pull the instrument out of tune. Sydney's humid summers make this more than a theory. When you compare storage options, ask how the space holds a stable climate through the year. A dry, even environment is worth more than a cheap unit that bakes in January and turns damp in winter.
Where the Piano Sits Inside the SpacePlacement matters as much as the building. Ask for the piano to stand clear of outside walls, roller doors and windows, where sun, draughts and moisture are strongest. Leaving room around the case lets air move freely and keeps other stored items from being stacked against it.
Wrapping That Lets the Piano BreathePianos placed in storage by our crew stay wrapped, and a grand piano rests on wooden skids rather than on its legs. Breathable wrapping keeps off dust and knocks. Avoid sealing a piano in plastic sheeting, which traps moisture against the finish and invites mould.
Checking In During a Long StayFor long term piano storage, plan an occasional look at the instrument. A piano technician can spot early signs of trouble, such as sticking keys or finish damage, before they grow into repairs. Short stays of a few weeks usually need nothing more than good conditions.
✔️ Step 4: What Shapes the Moving Part of the Bill
Size and weight come first. An upright is the simplest job, while a baby grand or concert grand piano needs extra handling, a skid and more time to wrap and manoeuvre. That is why moving a grand piano generally costs more than shifting an upright, and the same applies to pianolas and piano organs.
Two Legs Instead of OneWith storage in the middle, there are really two trips: old home to storage, and storage to new home. Each leg has its own access, so stairs or a tight entry at either end add effort, especially with a grand piano. Ask for both legs to be priced together so you can see the full piano moving costs up front.
What the Quote CoversCheck exactly what is included. Our quotes include insurance for damage to the piano and to property, during the piano removal and in transit, so there is no separate add-on. Tuning is not part of any removal price, because we do not tune pianos; budget for a tuner separately.
Choosing Your DaysTiming can also affect the price. Busy periods such as month-end and peak moving seasons fill up first, so a weekday or a quieter week may be easier to book and sometimes cheaper. We work Monday to Saturday across Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Hawkesbury and the Southern Highlands.
✔️ Step 5: Budgeting for Piano Storage
Duration is the biggest variable in piano storage pricing. Facilities usually charge by the month, and longer commitments often attract a lower monthly rate than a short booking. If your settlement date is uncertain, ask how easily the stay can be extended or shortened.
A Grand Piano Needs More FloorA grand piano occupies far more floor than an upright, so it usually costs more to keep. Weight and shape also affect how the piano has to be handled and positioned once it arrives.
Where the Facility IsLocation plays a part. Storage close to the city or in high-rent suburbs tends to cost more than a site further out, although a convenient spot can save travel time on the delivery leg.
Security MeasuresSites with controlled entry, cameras and staff on hand may charge a little more. For a valuable instrument, many owners see that extra as money well spent, alongside proper insurance.
Insurance While It WaitsAsk whether insurance for stored goods is included in the storage fee or offered as an extra. Cover against theft, fire and damage while in storage is separate from the insurance that applies during the move, so confirm both before you sign anything.
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Upright, grand, pianola or organ — anywhere in Sydney, the Central Coast and surrounds.