Stephen Swancer and his movers are second to none. These guys are serious about moving heavy pianos. I have a Steinway 1905 model "A" that I wanted moved into my third floor condominium living room (this piano weighs over 700 pounds). I have a staircase with 26 steps, three 180 degree turns, and a final 90 degree turn at the top. I thought the job would be impossible, especially after the delivery personnel from Havertys and Ethan Allen had trouble getting couches and a bed up the staircase.
Despite my gut feeling that it would not be possible to get the piano up the staircase, I called several different well known professional piano moving companies; the national company that I was using to move my piano from FL to Northern Virginia turned me down because they didn't have enough guys to do the job, but agreed to leave the piano in the garage and suggested calling some local companies as they would have more available muscle.
So I called a well known local company in Fairfax County used by the Steinway Piano Gallery; they said they thought it was impossible to carry it up the steps after I sent them photos, but then offered to charge me a large sum to crane it in through my balcony. They also offered to come out and look at the staircase for $50 to basically tell me it wasn't possible.
Then I shopped around online for other companies, and found Empire Piano Movers owned and operated by Stephen Swancer. I sent Stephen the pictures, and the response I got was "We can do this job, when do you want it scheduled" and the price was EXTREMELY reasonable.
Stephen showed up today with his two movers. Not only did these guys get the piano up to my third floor living room in less than 45 minutes (taking it apart, hauling it up, and putting it back together in the exact spot I wanted it), but they did absolutely NO damage to either my drywall or the piano!
BOTTOM LINE: If you have a large piano, or some seriously heavy furniture that the regular moving company can't handle, and you have a tight staircase, give Steve a call. Worst case if it is not physically possible to fit in the staircase he will use a Scissor Lift to go through a window or a balcony. Steve and his movers mean business; they are polite, and they don't damage your house. You will not be disappointed. read more