Piano Delivery Day: The Checklist Before It Arrives
Decide and tape out the spot before the truck arrives — interior wall, no vent beneath, no direct sun, no exterior door — measure the route, and have caster cups ready so the movers set the piano down on them. Check the case, lid, pedals and keys before the movers leave and note any damage on the paperwork, then don't tune it that week: wait two to four weeks for it to settle into the room.
A piano's first day in your home sets up its next twenty years — and most of what goes wrong later (the vent underneath, the sun on the lid, the tuning that never held) was decided in the ten minutes the movers were in the room. Here's the delivery-day checklist we wish every new owner had, whether the piano is new from a dealer, used from Marketplace, or inherited from across the city.
How do I choose a spot for a piano before delivery day?
Do this the night before, with tape on the floor. The rules (full placement guide):
- Interior wall, not exterior. Away from heat vents, radiators, fireplaces — check for a floor vent under the intended spot; it's the classic hidden mistake.
- Out of direct sun. Away from exterior doors.
- In a room you'll actually use — a piano exiled to a formal room gets visited, not played.
- Footprint: an upright needs about 5 × 4 feet against the wall including the bench; a baby grand about 6 × 7 with lid and bench clearance.
- Floor: any normal floor holds a piano (why) — but buy caster cups ($20–$40) now, so the movers set it down on them. Bare casters dent hardwood the moment the piano lands.
Once movers put a piano down, "we'll shift it later" rarely happens. Get it right the first time.
What should I measure before a piano is delivered?
Doorways, hallway turns, stair widths, the elevator if it's a condo (and book it — many buildings require a reservation and a movers' insurance certificate). Give the movers the measurements in advance; surprises on the day cost time and occasionally trim.
How do I get a room ready for a piano delivery?
Clear the path and the destination. Rug down if you're using one (under and behind the piano softens tone and protects floors). Caster cups in hand. Hygrometer bought — put it beside the piano from day one so you know what the room is doing to it.
What should I check while the piano movers are there?
- Watch the piano go onto the caster cups, on the spot you taped.
- Check the piano before they leave: case for fresh scuffs or cracks, lid opens and closes, all pedals present, a quick run up the keys (movers jostle actions; a slipped part shows immediately). On a grand: legs and lyre secure, lid props correct.
- Note anything on the delivery paperwork before signing — dealers and movers both honour documented damage; nobody honours remembered damage.
What do owners get wrong after a piano is delivered?
Don't tune it this week. A piano that's just moved is still adjusting to your room's temperature and humidity; tune now and you'll pay for a second tuning within a month. Give it two to four weeks to settle, then book the first tuning. Dealers often bundle that first tuning — check your paperwork.
Don't "baby" it. Play it — fully, loudly, everywhere on the keyboard. Normal playing beds in the action evenly. The only things to protect a piano from are sun, vents, and furniture polish.
How often does a newly delivered piano need tuning in its first year?
A new piano needs three or four tunings in year one — fresh strings stretch fast (the settling year explained). A used piano that's new to you needs the post-delivery tuning and usually one more that first year while it acclimatizes. Both settle to an annual rhythm after that, provided the room stays steady: humidifier in winter, air conditioning or a dehumidifier in summer, hygrometer telling you which.
Delivery-day checklist (print this)
- Spot chosen: interior wall, no vent beneath, no sun, no door.
- Floor taped; caster cups bought; rug down if using.
- Route measured; elevator booked (condo); movers briefed.
- Hygrometer beside the piano.
- Inspect case, lid, pedals, keys before movers leave; note issues on paperwork.
- Play it freely from day one.
- Tuning booked for 2–4 weeks out.
- Humidity plan in place for the coming season.
Common questions
Should I tune a piano right after delivery?
No — wait two to four weeks for it to acclimatize to your room's climate. Tuning on delivery day means paying for a second tuning within the month.
What should I check when a piano is delivered?
Case and finish for new damage, lid and fallboard operation, all pedals, and a quick run across every key. Note anything on the paperwork before signing.
Where should a piano be placed when it's delivered?
Interior wall, away from heat vents, radiators, sun, and exterior doors — decided and taped out before the movers arrive, with caster cups ready under each wheel.
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