Said yes to an old organ or harmonium? Here's a calm way to get it home

Old home organs, chapel harmoniums and pump organs often come up in house clearances, when a chapel or village hall replaces an instrument, or as "free to a good home" listings. They're lovely to own, but they're heavy, top-heavy and usually in a front room or up a few steps. Here's how to get yours home without drama.

1. Find out what you're collecting

Ask what kind it is (electronic home organ, reed harmonium or pump organ), its height, width and depth, and roughly how heavy it is. Ask whether the top section or pedalboard comes off. Only the seller or a specialist should take anything apart.

2. Close everything up

Lock or tape the lid shut, fold away the music rest, and secure any pedals or knee levers so they can't swing out. Take off the stool, bench and music books and move them separately.

3. Unplug and tidy

For electronic organs, unplug them, then coil and tape the cables to the back.

4. Check the route at both ends

Measure the doorways, note any steps, tight turns or narrow hallways, and say where a van can park. Organs are heavier at the top than they look, so access matters.

5. Keep it upright and padded

Ask for it to travel upright, wrapped in blankets and strapped in so it can't tip.

6. Describe the job clearly

What it is, its size and rough weight, where it's collected from and going to, the steps and parking at both ends, and when the seller needs it gone.

7. Get quotes and choose

You can ring round, or post the job once and let quotes come to you. Pink Pumpkin Logistics, the site I run, lets you post it for free at pinkpumpkinlogistics.co.uk. Drivers send quotes and you pick the one you're happy with, with no obligation.

8. Let it settle

Once it's home, keep it away from radiators and damp walls, give it a little while to settle, and then enjoy playing it.

Disclosure: I run Pink Pumpkin Logistics, the site mentioned above.