Whenever the unfortunate need to move a piano arises never take it lightly. Having been involved in many different kinds of piano moves I always recommend you have a professional mover handle the moving of it especially if stairs are involved. Be very careful and never underestimate the weight or difficulty involved in moving them down stairs. You need to be strong and know what you are doing or else you can easily be at risk of injury or even death. I know a mover that fractured his spine and can no longer walk because of moving a piano.

Professional movers will use specialized piano moving skid and a piano moving dolly to safely move it. Movers will use special moving straps to strap the piano to the skid VERY SECURELY and then lift the skid or slide it by using the special straps on the piano skid. 

Remember having the equipment is only half the battle now you need to have the muscle to still carry and balance the piece while going up or down stairs. If possible always use professional movers to move your piano and make sure to advise the mover that there is a piano and ask them if they will have qualified piano movers regardless if the move is a local or long distance move.

MOVING A PIANO TO THE USA? VERIFY IT DOESN’T HAVE IVORY KEYS

If you are moving from Canada to the US always remember to check your piano to ensure it does not have ivory keys. If the keys are Ivory you cannot just move it across the border to the US without getting approval from the US Wildlife Dept.