Can I Move a Kimball spinet 1962 up a Tight Staircase

by Karen Benak
(Punta Gorda, Florida, USA)

The movers (3 men) did not attempt to move my piano upstairs because I have a narrow staircase and landing with a half wall rather than a banister. Now the piano sits in my living room in a completely awkward place. I am wondering if I should attempt to hire someone else to try to get it upstairs or if I should just get rid of it and free up the much needed space downstairs.

Answer

I think you mean that there is a turn on the stairs with a wall separating the two flights.

I wonder if the movers were experienced piano handlers?

If they were not, they may not have known how to do it... so full marks to them for declining to damage your piano and walls!

If they were, and concluded there was not room to turn the piano on end in order to make the turn on the stairs...that may be the end of it.

However to help you decide... the size of your landing is the difficult area... and this is the place to start.

If you go and measure the height of the piano, probably about 3ft 3inches without the castors, and also the length and breadth of the landing area...measure the depth from the back wall to the edge of the partition wall (in the middle of the landing) and not the edge of the steps. These two measurements are often different.

Post the results via a 'comment' on this page, I will see if it helps us understand your chances.

Stephen

You can find more information on our piano moving tips pages.