Usually a piano belongs rather to the 'immobile' objects because of its enormous weight of ~175-300kg on average. Nevertheless, experience shows that a piano has to be moved around in the house as well as when moving house. If at all possible, have a specialist company or at least experienced porters do this. This is especially true for transport laymen, as very serious health problems can quickly occur. Of course the piano can also be damaged - or floors and walls.
A piano should be carried as little freely as possible, but rather pushed safely on suitable trolleys. A piano almost always has handles on the back for easy handling. Special straps are more gentle on the back. The piano can be lifted by two people to allow a third person to push a dolly underneath it. The piano must also be held firmly on the dolly - and preferably secured with a lashing strap. Children, and preferably adults as well, should never be within a certain distance of the piano. If in doubt, always 'sacrifice' the piano if it falls over, instead of risking personal injury.
If you have to move the piano over floors, we generally recommend a specialist carrier - the risk of an accident is simply too great for laymen. Without experience, special belts and enough people it is very dangerous.
At this point one of our Dick&Doof favourite clips with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy "The Music Box", in which a pianola is transported.
More details about the Oscar-winning short film "The Music Box" at Wikipedia.
If a piano has to be transported further, it needs a trailer or transporter/truck, for example. Ceilings are required to protect the piano from scratches and temperature changes / humidity. The piano must be secured at least twice with suitable straps. In case of unforeseen braking manoeuvres or even accidents, these instruments will otherwise become life-threatening projectiles.
The same considerations apply to grand piano transport as to upright piano transport. Although it is generally advisable to have a grand piano transported only by a specialist shipping company, as handling is more difficult - and the weight is higher at approx. 250-500 kg. You need special material such as grand piano tops, wing slides etc. and a lot of experience and at least three people. Then the wing is skillfully folded over (never tilt the wing over the lyre) and moved on the side with the wing sled on a trolley. Over stairs the wing should be carried (and not pushed) to avoid damage.
Often a stairwell or a narrow entrance does not allow the crane to be carried up - then the crane has to get to it. Sometimes it is also cheaper with a crane - than trying complex carrying actions.
Here is an example of a crane transport when picking up a Blüthner anniversary concert grand from the 4 OG in Amsterdam.
