Pianos in flats

DoctorAl · Post by **DoctorAl** » 12 Mar 2007, 19:54

Does anyone have any tips or experiences to share about acoustic (i.e. non-digital) pianos in flats (apartments, tenements, condos etc.)?

My particular piano is a 1920s Broadwood 5'2" grand, if that flavours your thoughts. I don't have a particular flat in mind yet, but this is all in the UK.

I'm specifically interested in:
a) getting the piano into the flat - I know there are some clever movers with cranes etc., but if that wasn't an option are there people who will shift it up four flights of stairs?

b) structural issues - I've heard of a grand dropping into a cellar before now, but are there likely to be any structural issues with the weight of a grand piano in a flat?

c) noise issues - is noise transmission likely to be an issue, and are there any tips for reducing this?

d) cost - assuming a move of maybe a hundred miles, easy at the start, harder at the end, what ball-park figure would we be looking at? My guess would be £300 but I'd be grateful for any correction on that. I'm NOT looking for precise quotes - just whether I'm in the right order of magnitude.

I'm facing a potential move from a cheap bit of the UK to one of several more expensive parts, and thus a flat may be my only option. I'm reluctant to part with my piano unless I have to!

Thanks for any tips,

Al

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 12 Mar 2007, 22:45

Use a company that move pianos regularly. I once asked a 'white van man' outfit to move my upright up 5 flights of steps whilst I was at work. They assured me they could carry it upstairs, which strictly speaking they did. Sadly they also removed chunks of the walls, staircase and piano on the way up before discovering the piano wouldn't go round the final corner. A reprise of their demolition job on way back down left me owing my landlord over five hundred pounds in repairs to the walls and staircase. Guess what I sold to pay for that...

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 12 Mar 2007, 22:48

PS, are you a real doctor? I've got this rash...............

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 13 Mar 2007, 13:37

Pianos can be taken upstairs you can be looking at £50 to £100 per flight so over 4 it may be more cost effective to use one of the company’s that do Crain work.
Some like piano logistics have Crains on their own wagons for a grand to go through a window it need to be 21" x 62" min

If it is going upstairs most companies like to look at the stairs first

If is a new flat look at the agreement some don’t allow musical interments
For soundproofing look at these
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-forums/piano3410.html
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-forums/piano1468.html

Barrie,

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 13 Mar 2007, 16:44

If they carry it upstairs make sure they've measured the width at the top of the staircase as well as the bottom - my upright fitted perfectly at the bottom of the stairs but it was a very old building and the staircase got wonky near the top; something you only really noticed when you got a piano stuck up it.

Obviously the same thing applies to anything built or designed in Britain in the past forty years.

DoctorAl · Post by **DoctorAl** » 13 Mar 2007, 20:09

Thanks for the tips - very useful to bear in mind. If I move I hope my neighbours are as understanding as my current ones - they never notice and have even asked if I ever play the piano!

Al