Policy and Procedure
Thank you for choosing Modern Piano Moving to handle the transportation of your piano.
We take a great deal of pride in our company and the work we do. We will do our best to ensure that your move is a smooth one.
YOUR RIGHTS: As required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move is readily available on our website. If you have trouble viewing this document, please contact a Sales Representative.
RATES: All rates quoted are based on moving a typical piano from a typical residence with walk out access located within 20 miles of a major interstate to another such location using two movers. The rate is an estimate based on the information provided by you at the time of booking. Additional charges will apply to situations that require additional services or manpower. Step charges range from $5-$24. Difficult turns range from $40 - $240.
SCHEDULING: In order for us to maintain reasonable rates and quality service, we must combine your move with other moves. This requires constant change and updating to our schedule. We will attempt to give you a 48-hour notice when dates are scheduled or changed. The day of the move, we give a four-hour window. If you need to be elsewhere during this time, please provide us with a contact number that the driver can call 30 minutes prior. We strive to have pianos/organs picked up within 30 to 60 days after booking and delivered 30 to 90 days after they are picked up. However, weather and other circumstances beyond our control sometimes prevent us from meeting these goals. Therefore, we cannot guarantee specific dates and times. You are welcome to call the office at any time for an update. Once on the road, our crews work seven days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM. The price quoted is based on open dates/times for pickup and delivery. If you have special requirements, please notify us and we will do our best to meet them. An additional charge may apply. If someone is not available for delivery, we will store your piano until our next trip starting at $60/month provided we know before loading or setting a delivery date. If we attempt delivery and no one is available, a charge of $100 will apply to cover the additional handling/mileage required. Also, a $100 charge will be applied if customer cancels a move after it has already been scheduled onto a trip and is confirmed.
PICK UP/DELIVERY: We may ask you to be prepared to offer directions using exact distances, exit names/numbers, street names, and unique landmarks. Alert the driver to low underpasses, restricted routes, low trees, sharp turns, etc. If your location is difficult, it may be necessary to meet the driver at an easy location so the driver may follow you. Please provide a clear path free from snow, ice, mud, etc for your safety and others. Again, in our effort to maintain reasonable pricing, we use trucks (some up to 70 ft long) capable of holding many pianos. If there is a situation which prevents us from getting to your location, we carry a shuttle vehicle on most trucks. Please notify us if a situation exists so we can be prepared. Shuttle charges are $200. While we are occasionally considered miracle workers, sometimes a piano is larger than the hallway, stairs or passage it must pass through in order to be moved out of or into its desired location. Providing measurements or pictures is helpful but does not always guarantee success. While most obstacles can be overcome, there may be additional costs or risks involved. Always have a Plan B available if it is too close to call.
PAYMENT: The Company must have payment info on file before a pick-up is scheduled. Payment may be in the form of a cashiers check, money order, or credit card (MC, Visa, or DISC). Payment via credit card is due upon pick-up of the piano. WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS OR CASH. Note: Any customer change of payment method after initial booking process may incur a 5% processing fee.
VALUATION (OUR LIABILITY): We will be responsible for any damage to the piano up to the limit set forth by you on the Order For Service (i.e. valuation) which is completed and signed at the pickup. As we do not have technicians assess the internal workings of your instrument, we cannot be liable for anything which is internal, electronic, mechanical, extremely fragile (glass), or beyond our reasonable control such as pad marks or an inherent vice like adhesion failure. We only cover pianos and organs. If you have a humidifier on your piano, it must be emptied at least 3 days prior to pickup.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS: We may take a limited number of additional items, related to the instrument, with the piano/organ and bench. Space is very limited and the cost of items must be quoted in advance. We will not know if there is room on the truck until we arrive. Thus, we do not guarantee any additional item in advance. Charges for extra items are additional and based on actual size or weight. All items must be properly pre-packaged. Items that require special handling may cost more. Items cannot be glass or other highly fragile materials. We do not cover additional items with valuation. *A piano bench is included in your piano move and additional benches are $50 extra.
INVENTORY: We will complete an inventory sheet at pickup describing your piano by labeling any pre-existing damage which appears to be recent. Old scratches, dings, etc. may not be labeled. The pick-up contact will sign the inventory and release the piano to us for shipping. A copy will remain with the piano and will be provided to the destination contact. Upon comparison, the driver will present a driver’s report to be signed indicating the piano has been received in good condition. Any discrepancies must be noted on the driver report, prior to signing, for a damage claim to be considered.
TUNING: Tuners and technicians will tell you the climate change between the pickup location and the delivery location is what causes most or all of the tuning change. It is suggested you wait 2-3 weeks before having your piano tuned to allow it to become acclimated and settle.
GRATUITIES: We are often asked about gratuity. Excellent service is customarily acknowledged by gratuity. Average tip is typically $20-$40 per mover. However, tipping is not required.
PHOTOS: We may use a photo of a customer’s move in our online Gallery. If you choose to opt out, please contact us and we will not use your photo.
Communication and proper planning are the keys to a successful move.
Please call us at anytime for updates, questions or changes at 1-800-737-5600.
Office hours are: Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am-12pm CST.
