How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano?

Key Points

• The average piano moving cost is around $200 – $400 for local moves and $1,000 – $2,000 for long-distance moves.
• The cost to move a piano depends on several factors, including the type and size of the instrument, the distance of the move, and the details of the pickup and delivery locations.
• There are also extra costs such as special services, packing needs, obstacles, rush jobs, insurance or retuning, which can increase the final piano moving cost.

The sound of a piano is truly beautiful — it can be soft yet powerful, joyful yet serious, calming and emotional all at the same time.

It’s only natural that the instrument making such wonderful and powerful music is also beautiful, delicate, and inspiring.

A piano is both beautiful and grand, with a touch of grace and elegance.

But a piano is also a very large instrument and moving it takes a lot of effort and care. Pianos are not only heavy and bulky but also delicate and sensitive, which makes them easy to damage.

On top of that, pianos are very costly and valuable — many are cherished family heirlooms passed down from one generation to the next.

Moving a piano by yourself is not a good idea. It’s better to leave the job to professional piano movers who have specialized equipment and expert skills to relocate your instrument safely and efficiently.

But how much do piano movers cost?

Will you be able to afford the piano moving price?

Keep reading to learn the average cost to move a piano and the key factors that affect the final price in each move.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano?

What’s the average cost of moving a piano?

The average piano moving cost is around $200 – $400 for local moves and $1,000 – $2,000 for long-distance moves.

Type of Move	Average Piano Moving Cost
Local move	$200 – $400
Long-distance move	$1,000 – $2,000

What’s the Average Piano Moving Cost by Type?

Moving an upright piano usually costs between $150 – $500, while the cost to move a baby grand piano can range from $250 – $2,000.

Type of Piano	Average Piano Moving Cost
Upright piano	$150 – $500
Baby grand piano	$250 – $2,000

Moving a standard upright piano within the same city can cost just over a hundred dollars, while moving a grand piano over a long distance may cost close to two thousand dollars.

How Much Do Movers Cost?

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How is the Piano Moving Cost Calculated?

There are two main ways to calculate piano moving costs:

• An hourly rate – Most local movers charge by the hour, usually with a 3-hour minimum. This covers the time needed to safely move the piano from inside the home to the truck, transport it across the city, unload it and place it in its new location.
• A flat rate – Long-distance piano movers usually provide a flat rate. The price is based on the type of piano, the distance of the move and how complex the job is.

Professional piano movers usually start with a base rate of around $50.

When calculating moving costs, movers usually add mileage — about $1.50 per mile for local moves and $3 per mile for long-distance moves — plus extra charges for steps, stairs or other obstacles on top of the base price.

They also consider how many workers and what equipment will be needed to safely pack, lift, carry and transport the piano. This depends on the musical instrument’s weight, size and shape, its location in the home, and any special packing or handling needs.

Good to know:

1) In addition to specially equipped moving trucks with ramps, piano moving requires a lot of specialty equipment to keep the instrument safe, such as:

• A piano moving dolly – $200
• A hump strap – $25
• A piano skid board – $125
• A locking piano belt – $25

2) Depending on the piano’s weight and size, it may take 3 to 5 movers to handle the job safely and efficiently.

The cost of both labor and equipment is included in the movers’ quote.

On average, moving an upright piano locally costs around $150, while moving a grand piano across the country can be about $1,050.

However, these prices go up by $40–$100 for each flight of stairs and another $40–$240 for any other obstacles, which brings the average piano moving cost to:

• $200 for local moves (for small pianos)
• $2,000 for long-distance moves (for grand pianos)

Additional Costs of Moving a Piano

Now you already know how piano moving costs are calculated but it’s not always that straightforward. Several other factors can also affect the final price:

1. Special Packing Requirements

If your piano is very large, delicate, or valuable, it may need crating or even partial disassembly before shipping — and this will increase the moving cost.

• Partial disassembly: $100. Grand pianos often need to be taken apart to move them safely out of a house. Movers usually remove the legs, pedal box, and music rack, and charge about $100 for this service.
• Crating: $800 – $1,200. Crating a grand piano usually costs between $800 and $1,200, with higher prices for heat-treated crates.

2. Hoisting Services

If a piano can’t fit through doors or stairways, movers may need to take it in or out through a window using a special crane. This service usually costs around $750 – $1,000.

3. Additional Items

If you need extra items moved along with your piano — like a piano bench — movers usually charge about $1 per pound, with a minimum fee of $20 per item.

4. Rush Jobs

If you need a last-minute relocation, the cost of piano moving services can be almost double the regular rate. Movers may charge a rush fee of up to $300 for local moves and $400 – $700 for long-distance moves.

5. Piano Moving Insurance

Most professional piano movers include free insurance coverage of up to $5,000. If you want extra coverage for peace of mind, additional insurance usually costs $10–$15 for every $1,000 of value.

6. Rescheduling

If you’re not ready at the scheduled moving time or if no one is present at the pickup or delivery location when the piano movers arrive, you may be charged a rescheduling or cancellation fee of up to $400.

7. Storage

If you need to keep your piano in storage during the move — for example, if your new home isn’t ready yet — you’ll pay about $50–$75 per month for a climate-controlled storage unit.

8. Re-tuning

It’s strongly recommended to have your piano tuned after a move. Even with the best care from professional piano movers, the instrument’s delicate internal parts may shift slightly during transportation.

Besides, you may need to retune the piano because of changes in climate and humidity. It’s best to wait a couple of weeks after the move so the instrument can adjust to the new environment and then have it professionally tuned.

This piano tuning service usually costs around $100 – $150.

The Final Piano Moving Cost Equation

The total piano moving cost can be broken down like this:

Base rate ($50) + Cost per mile ($1.50 for local / $3.00 for long-distance) + Cost per stair ($5.00) + Cost per obstacle ($40–$240) + Extra charges (special services, insurance, storage, etc.)

To sum it up:

Type of Move	Upright Piano	Grand Piano
Local move	$150 – $300 (average cost: $200)	$250 – $650 (average cost: $400)
Long-distance move	$500 – $800 (average cost: $600)	$1,000 – $2,000 (average cost: $2,000)

Piano Moving Cost Factors

The cost to move a piano depends on the type of instrument, the kind of move, and the specific circumstances of each relocation.

1. Type and Size of the Piano

Pianos come in different shapes, sizes, and weights, and each type needs specific handling and equipment.

Therefore, the type of piano you own has a big impact on the moving cost:

• Heavier pianos need more movers and specialized equipment which makes them more expensive to move.
• Larger pianos may need partial disassembly or crating, plus extra padding and wrapping materials, adding to the cost.
• Grand pianos have a unique shape that makes them harder to handle than upright pianos, so they cost more to move.

To accurately calculate the moving cost and decide what equipment, how many movers, and how much time will be needed, piano movers must know the piano’s type, size, make, and model of the musical instrument.

So, when looking for piano movers and asking for cost estimates, be sure to:

1) Specify the type of your piano correctly:

• Spinet pianos are under 40 inches tall and weigh about 300–400 lbs.
• Upright pianos are compact and usually weigh between 500–800 lbs.
• Grand pianos have a unique curved shape, are longer than they are tall and can weigh anywhere from 600–1,200 lbs.

2) Measure the size of the piano carefully:

• For an upright piano, measure the height from the floor to the top lid.
• For a grand piano, measure the length from one end of the keyboard to the curve (bow). Baby grand pianos are usually under 6 feet long, while concert grands can reach up to 7 feet.

3) Find out the make and model of your piano

Sharing the make and model helps movers understand the exact shape and weight of your musical instrument, so they can plan the move more accurately.

2. Move Distance

The distance to your new home is the second most important factor in the cost of moving a piano. As a rule of thumb, the longer the distance, the higher the moving cost.

Moving a piano across the country costs more than moving one across town because the movers need to cover the extra time and fuel required for a long-distance move.

When figuring out the moving cost, professional piano movers take the distance into account and calculate mileage. They usually charge about $1.50–$2.50 per mile for local moves and $2.50–$10 per mile for long-distance moves.

3. Peculiarities of the Pickup and Delivery Locations

Any obstacles that make it harder to take a piano in or out of a home will also raise the final moving cost.

Stairs are the biggest challenge when moving a piano. Carrying such a large, heavy instrument up or down is very hard and risky, and it usually takes 2–3 strong movers with specialized equipment to do it safely.

Moving companies usually add an extra fee for staircases — about $5–$10 per step or $40–$100 per staircase.

So, when talking about costs and conditions with your piano moving company, be sure to mention any stairs at the pickup or delivery location in advance — this includes both inside stairs and outside steps leading to the entrances.

This way, the movers can give you a more accurate cost estimate and know exactly what equipment to bring to move your piano up and down the steps safely.

If there’s an elevator at either location that the piano can fit into, it can lower the moving cost a lot — especially when moving into or out of an upper-floor apartment.

Other obstacles that can raise the piano moving cost include:

• Spiral staircases
• Tight spaces or sharp turns
• Narrow doorways
• Gravel, brick or grass walkways between your home and the moving truck
• Hilly terrain

Each of these makes moving a piano more difficult and adds to the overall moving cost.

Good to remember: Always tell your piano movers about any possible obstacles at both your old and new homes. This helps them assess risks correctly, bring the right equipment, send trained workers and make sure your piano is moved safely and smoothly.

How to Find the Best Piano Movers

As you can see, moving a piano is not only difficult but also costly. To protect your instrument and keep expenses under control, it’s important to find the best piano moving services at the best possible price.

It’s definitely possible to find affordable piano movers who are skilled and reliable — you just need to know how to search properly.

• Step 1. Fill out a moving quote to connect with several trusted piano movers in your area.
• Step 2. Visit the companies’ websites for more details — check the services they offer, their prices, how long they’ve been in business, their credentials and verify their USDOT numbers.
• Step 3. Read customer reviews from people who recently used the piano movers you’re considering to see if they were satisfied with the services.
• Step 4. Request on-site estimates from the piano moving companies that best match your needs, requirements and budget.
• Step 5. Show the movers your piano and let them know about any possible challenges at both your old and new homes — such as stairs, narrow spaces, gravel paths or limited access.
• Step 6. Talk through any special handling needs, extra services you want and your preferred pickup and delivery dates. Don’t forget to ask about insurance options too.
• Step 7. Compare all offers and choose the piano movers that suit you best. Before booking, double-check that the company is licensed, experienced and reliable.
• Step 8. Once you’ve made your choice, book your piano moving company right away to secure your spot.

The experts will handle the job safely and without hassle, and your valued piano will be set up in your new home before you know it.

You’ll get to enjoy the beautiful sound of your piano in your new home — without overspending on the move.

And that should feel pretty great!

Choose STI Moving & Storage for Your Piano Move

Moving a piano isn’t something to take lightly — it requires care, skill and the right equipment. With STI Moving & Storage, you get trained professionals with the right equipment and the full care your valuable piano deserves, ensuring it’s handled safely. Whether it’s a local move or a long-distance relocation, STI makes sure your piano reaches its new home safely and at a fair price.

📞 Call us today at (847) 675-1223 to get your free quote!