Whether the piano is coming from a showroom, a private seller or your old apartment, somebody has to carry it. In New York City that often means stairs, tight landings and building rules. This guide covers the part people tend to skip: what the law requires of movers, what you should get in writing and what happens if the piano is damaged.
Movers need state authority
The New York State Department of Transportation licenses moving companies that carry household goods within the state. Its consumer advice is direct: make sure the mover is licensed by the Commissioner of Transportation, and do not use an unlicensed mover. You can verify a mover by calling the department at (518) 457-6512 or emailing nymoving@dot.ny.gov, giving the mover’s exact name and, if available, its NYDOT number.
If your move crosses a state line, for example a piano bought in New Jersey and delivered to Brooklyn, it falls under the federal government instead, even if it starts or ends in New York. The state directs those questions to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Before moving day
The department’s list of do’s and don’ts for consumers is short and worth following:
- Get at least three estimates, preferably from movers who inspect in person.
- Ask for the “Summary of Information” booklet, which describes your rights as a shipper.
- Before anything is moved, get an “Order for Service” showing how much you will have to pay at delivery.
- Read everything you sign and keep a copy.
- Have the mover explain its liability and how you can buy more coverage.
- Do not assume a phone or written estimate will be the actual cost of the move.
The state’s summary booklet adds that section 196 of the Transportation Law requires movers to give a free on-site estimate if you ask for one. For a piano, that visit is where the estimator sees the stairs, the turns and the elevator, so tell them everything; the booklet notes that conditions at the new location also affect the estimate.
Tip: Send every mover the measurements and building rules from Will a Piano Fit in Your Apartment? Measuring the Route and the Rules before they quote. An estimate made without them is only a guess.
How much you pay at delivery
The state booklet explains what happens if the final charges come in above a non-binding estimate. At your request, the mover must deliver your goods on payment of:
| Type of move | You can take delivery on paying |
|---|---|
| Hourly-rated, charges more than 25% over the non-binding estimate | The estimate plus 25 percent |
| Weight-rated, charges more than 10% over the non-binding estimate | The estimate plus 10 percent |
| Written binding estimate, dispute over quantity or services | The binding estimate plus 10 percent |
The rest must be paid within 15 days, excluding weekends and holidays. The booklet also warns that services you add beyond the estimate, including destination charges such as long carries, extra stair carries and elevator charges, can be charged and collected in full at delivery. With a piano, that is exactly where surprises come from, so describe the destination in detail.
Liability for damage
The booklet is blunt: in most cases, you will not be paid anything near the value of your goods after loss or damage unless you declare their actual cash value on the bill of lading or buy full replacement value protection, both of which raise the cost of the move. You may also be able to buy additional insurance through your own agent or broker. For a valuable piano, ask about these options before the move, not after.
If something is damaged
Note any damage on the bill of lading, inventory or delivery receipt when the piano arrives; the booklet calls that your best proof. Then:
- Notify the mover in writing as soon as possible; unless there are unusual circumstances, file within 90 days of delivery.
- The mover must acknowledge a claim in writing within 30 days and resolve it in writing within 120 days, or write to you every 30 days explaining the delay.
- If you are unhappy with the settlement, the state points you to Small Claims Court; the Department of Transportation cannot decide loss or damage claims.
- If you win a judgment, the mover must pay within 30 days, and the department says it will help with collection if it does not.
For other problems, such as a mover not honoring the contract or failing to give you the required paperwork, you can file a complaint with the department using its consumer complaint form.
Piano movers and general movers
A piano needs equipment and experience that a general moving crew may not have, especially for a grand, which has to be partly taken apart. Ask each company how many piano moves it does, what equipment it uses on stairs and whether the piano will be padded and strapped to a board. Whoever you choose, the licensing and liability rules above still apply to moves within the state.
After the move
Let the piano settle into its new room before the first tuning; a change of room and climate affects pitch. Place it with care, away from radiators and direct sun, as explained in Where to Put a Piano in a Small Apartment.