location, location, location
What is the Best Location for the Piano?
1. Away from direct heat such as radiators, heat ducts and fireplaces. Leaving a piano next to one of these over several years will do irreparable damage.
2. Away from direct sunlight. The light will discolor or crack the finish and the heat will make the tuning less stable. However, diffused sunlight is usually alright.
3. Away from outside walls, outside doorways and drafts. Outside walls tend to be colder and wetter and cause tuning instability. However, if you have to make a choice between an outside wall and a heating duct, the outside wall is preferable.
4. Out of the basement or garage, if possible. Basements tend to be too wet and may, over time, warp and rust the parts. Also, many basements flood. If you must have the piano in the basement, proper humidity control is essential. Never, never, never store a piano in a garage. The humidity extremes in a garage that is not climate controlled will quickly render the piano unusable.
Moving
When moving a piano always use a piano mover, who specializes in pianos, and not a furniture mover, who says they also move pianos. Almost everyone who has had their piano moved has horror stories of broken lids, scratches and ineptitude by unqualified movers. The piano mover may cost a bit more, but they'll do it right and it always pays off in the long run. Your technician usually will be happy to refer you to a tried and true piano mover.
The flexing of the soundboard while moving a piano, and the change in humidity from one environment to another after a move, may cause a piano to go out of tune. After moving, you should wait a week or so before scheduling a tuning so the piano has a chance to adjust itself to the new humidity.