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Can anyone recommend some good piano movers in the DC metro area?

How difficult is the move?

I've had good success with Johnson Piano Movers. My tech uses them quite a bit as well. They won't be the cheapest however. Good luck.

Thanks for the feed back.

• 5'2" baby grand, currently located in a one-story house with one step up at the front door.
• 230 miles from there to my home.
• First floor delivery, in through the garage or front door, two steps up either way, and one step down into the family room.

D&H Movers and D&E Movers are both also excellent.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've never had a piano moved before--are there any particulars I should be worried about, like insurance? Who covers the piano and/or the movers if there's an accident or injury?

Check with the moving company and make sure they are fully insured and what exactly is covered.

Steve would certainly know who is good in your area.

Any mover should be insured and bonded. Many are not.

Good point.

Also, Duffy piano movers in Philadelphia frequently go to DC. It might be worth a phone call - (215) 592-8411.

Ok, one of my short-list pianos is up in central PA, so it might not be too far out of their way in terms of a round-trip.

I need to make some calls and figure out how much this is going to cost!

By the way, what's the usual procedure to pay for a second-hand piano? If I don't want to make the trip again, can I send a check with the movers? Certified check?

When we have something to pick up in the DC area or anything near Baltimore we use D&E for the inside pickups then just send an 18 wheeler to their warehouse so we don't have to deal with the crazy DC traffic & construction zones.

Crazy traffic! On Sunday we drove around part of the beltway, through Baltimore, and Delaware and through Philadelphia. Traffic was light, and we made awesome time right up to the PA border approaching Philly, when traffic came to a stand-still and it took us about 2 hours to get to the north side of town! Had seen a lot of bumper-to-bumper stretches headed south, so we opted to drive back through the country (east through Lancaster to Gettysburg and then south through Frederick and Leesburg). It's officially an hour longer, but almost guaranteed to be faster when I-95 is heavy. Plus more relaxing and scenic!

Thanks for the tips everyone!
How does $675 sound for the move described above?

Sounds good. So, what piano did you choose?

Baldwin M!

The advert has expired, else I'd link it.

It was built in 1950, but is musically and mechanically sound. It's been tuned regularly and otherwise maintained periodically as needed. Owner's daughter was a long time music student and singer/songwriter but no longer lives at home and the owners are downsizing.

Being 60 years old, it's got an assortment of scratches, and the overall finish is naturally showing its age (the sheen is gone). I like its non-glossy look, but am also intrigued about refinishing it. Anyway, it's only issues seem to be cosmetic, which I can handle myself (and will enjoy doing).

Sellers were asking 2000. I haggled a bit off and split shipping. After delivery (next week) I'll be in for 2200. I've looked at a lot of pianos, and most recently several Baldwin M's. I've posted periodically about enjoying the hunt, but all-in-all I think it's a pretty good value.

Congratulations!

The Baldwin M is a very nice and well designed piano. I'm sure that you will enjoy it.

I think your purchase is a pretty good value, too!