Whether you are relocating to another neighbourhood, another city or another country, moving high-quality musical instruments such as pianos, harps or violins is a delicate process, which needs to be handled with extremely care since any minor action can damage these valuable items. Therefore, knowing the best measures to take for protecting them during the relocation is one of the best ways to ensure a safe arrival at their destination. As it is said, “prevention is the best medicine”. 1) Take enough time to prepare for the move Musical instruments need special handling due to their particular characteristics. When moving them to another location, try to set time aside for arranging their move well in advance! Leaving things for the last minute might increase the risk of making non-satisfactory choices. At this point, it can be a good idea to list all the moving details. Consider things such as: - Where is the musical instrument currently placed (is the area easy to access with a lorry, is there a lift in the building…)? - Where will your musical instrument be placed (is it an easily accessible area, is it on a high floor…)? - Which is the approximate weight of the musical instrument (this is relevant to know the number of people required to move it)? - Is your instrument sensitive to temperature? - Will you require your instrument at the destination by a particular deadline? - Do you have a receipt of its purchase to prove its value in case of any problems? 2) Should you take care of the move on your own or should you consider a professional moving company? This might depend on your resources and the type of the instrument. For delicate and big size music instruments, it is worthwhile to contact a specialised provider. They have experience on moving and handling musical instruments, so they can advise you on the best way to move them. What to look for in a moving specialist for your instrument? - Experience in moving musical instruments - Professional handlers - Great communication before, during and after your move in order to ask them any question you might have 3) Preparing the move: The packaging Regardless of who's packing your valuables, it is worth to consider some basic aspects when packing your instrument to ensure the maximum protection: - Check if you can take some parts apart of your musical instrument. For example, in the case of brass instruments, you can remove the mouthpiece; for drums, you can separate some pieces; for string instruments, you can lose the strings… - Musical instruments need extra cushioning and protection: using bubble wrap or other special packing materials to add extra coverage will ensure that they do not move in their packaging and that they are protected during the transport. - Choose packages or boxes that fit the size of the instrument perfectly so it doesn’t move. - Indicate on their package that they are fragile 4) After your move Wait some time before using the instrument, or at least until it has adjusted to the environment, especially if it is sensitive to temperature. If you are planning an international move, submit a quote request here or contact our team for more information about your upcoming move!