How Much Does Piano Moving Cost in 2025?
Moving a piano costs an average of $424
The average piano moving cost is $424, with prices ranging from $259 to $589.
Factors like piano size, type, weight, distance, and complexity affect the cost.
Additional costs may include stairs, special packing, and insurance.
Hiring a professional piano mover ensures your piano arrives safely at its destination.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Moving a piano is more than transporting a large item—it's about ensuring the safe relocation of a valuable instrument that may hold sentimental value or be essential to your musical pursuits. The average cost to move a piano is $424, ranging between $259 and $589, influenced by factors like location, size, piano type, and complexity.
Pianos are intricate and heavy, with uneven weight distribution that makes them challenging to move safely. Upright pianos are top-heavy with delicate feet, while grand pianos, though heavier along their length, have fragile legs and components that require specialized care. Professional piano movers have the expertise to transport your cherished piano safely to its new home.
Piano Moving Cost Factors
Several factors influence the cost of moving a piano, including the instrument's size and weight, the distance of the move, insurance costs, and any complexities involved in the route from your home to the moving truck. Understanding these factors will help you anticipate expenses and ensure a smooth relocation of your piano.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of your piano significantly affect moving costs. Larger and heavier pianos require more effort and specialized equipment and occupy more space in the moving truck, increasing the price. For instance, moving a small upright piano locally might cost $150, while transporting a grand piano across the country could cost up to $2,000 due to its substantial size and weight.
Distance
The distance of your move plays a crucial role in the overall cost. Local piano moves cost between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile, while long-distance moves range from $2.50 to $10 per mile. As the distance increases, so do the time and fuel expenses, leading to higher delivery fees.
Stairs
Navigating stairs adds complexity to moving a piano, resulting in additional average costs of $5 to $10 per step or $40 to $100 per staircase. These fees cover the extra labor and care required to transport your piano safely without causing damage during maneuvers on stairs.
Moving Equipment
The type of piano being moved determines the specialized equipment required, which can affect the cost. Below are average prices for equipment that professional piano movers may use during the move:
Dolly: $125–$200
Hump strap: $25
Locking belt: $25
Skid board: $125
Protective pads and blankets: $30–$35
Hoist and crane: $750–$2,000
Packing tape: $3 per roll
Special Packing
Grand pianos often require dismantling or crating to ensure safe transport. Professional movers will partially disassemble the piano, carefully lay it on its side, and reassemble it at the destination. Dismantling costs approximately $100, while crating your instrument costs an average of $800, potentially increasing to $1,200 for heated crates. In contrast, upright pianos are wrapped and moved using a dolly or skid board, making them less expensive to pack and transport.
Insurance Costs
Insurance for your piano is typically included at no additional cost for instruments valued at $5,000 or less. For pianos exceeding this value, professional movers may charge an additional $10 to $15 for every $1,000 of declared value to ensure adequate coverage.
Piano Tuning Costs
The cost of tuning a piano ranges between $200 and $150. Moving a piano exposes its delicate parts to vibrations and changes in climate and humidity, which can affect its tuning. It's essential to have your piano re-tuned after it has settled in its new location to ensure optimal sound quality.
Humidity Control
Humidity control is often included in the moving service. Reputable companies use climate-controlled trucks to prevent dramatic changes in humidity that can cause the piano's soundboard to swell or shrink, leading to tuning issues or even cracks in the wood. Climate-controlled transportation is essential to preserve the integrity of your valuable instrument.
Additional Items
The cost to move additional items averages a $20 flat rate per item or $1 per pound. Piano benches are common items added to the trip for convenience and cohesiveness.
Storage
Piano storage through professional movers costs between $50 and $75 per month in a climate-controlled space. Alternatively, if you are renting your own climate-controlled storage unit, expect to pay $240 per month on average, or $1 to $1.80 per square foot.
Labor
Professional piano movers can bill you by the hour or at a flat rate. If they charge by the hour, a minimum hourly payment is often required. This can get expensive if unforeseen complications happen, which add work hours to the minimum. And as the weight and dimensions increase, so do the labor and price of delivery.
It's more common for pros to charge a flat rate based on the following:
Instrument type
Length and width
Distance from the original location to the destination
Overall job difficulty
You're likely to be better off going with an hourly rate for short distances. However, you'll likely get a better price at a flat rate over long distances. Additionally, with an agreed-upon flat rate, there won't be any surprises at the end of the journey. Regardless of the charging method, calculating the moving price involves knowing what equipment and time are required for the job. Be prepared to share your instrument's size, type, make, and model to get an accurate estimate for your piano move.
Upright Piano Moving Costs
Moving a piano is separate from the average moving cost for standard household items, which costs between $500 and $1,500. The larger and heavier the piano, the more it costs to move. For example, moving a small upright unit locally into the first floor of a building is more affordable than transporting a grand onto the fifth floor of a condo two states away.
| Upright Piano Type | Short Distance Cost Range | Long Distance Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Spinet (under 40”) | $150–$300+ | $500–$700 |
| Console (40–44”) | $150–$250 | $500–$700 |
| Studio (44–47”) | $150–$250 | $500–$800 |
| Upright (over 47”) | $150–$300 | $500–$800+ |
Expect to pay between $150 and $300 for a local move and between $500 and $800 for long-distance shipping for an upright or spinet piano. These instruments weigh less—300 to 800 pounds—than grand pianos and are more compact units that don't require dismantling before travel.
Grand Piano Moving Costs
Moving a grand piano takes more preparation and space, which increases labor costs and overall totals. Here’s what you can expect to pay for moving a grand piano.
| Grand Piano Type | Short Distance Cost Range | Long Distance Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Petite | $250–$400 | $1,000+ |
| Baby | $250–$500 | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Medium | $250–$500 | $1,200–$1,500 |
| Parlor | $300–$600 | $1,200–$1,700 |
| Semi-concert/ballroom | $300–$650 | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Concert | $300–$650 | $1,500–$2,000+ |
Moving a grand piano costs between $250 and $650 locally and $1,000 and $2,000 for a long-distance job. They weigh between 600 and 1,200 pounds and require some level of dismantling before the move to prevent damage and make them easier to maneuver.
DIY vs. Hiring Piano Movers
Hiring a professional piano mover near you is highly recommended for several reasons. Moving a piano is often stressful and challenging due to its size, weight, and delicate nature. Professional piano movers have the specialized equipment and expertise to handle your instrument safely. Here are three key considerations that make hiring a pro the better option:
Weight: Upright versions can weigh around 900 pounds, and grand pianos can weigh as much as 1,300 pounds.
Worth: These instruments are expensive; some may even be antiques. A DIY effort means that any mistakes don't have insurance behind them. Pros are insured to do their job, and they'll also give the owner a risk assessment on the move.
Dismantling: This is required for large instruments to move them out of a house and into a new one. Most owners may not know how to do this safely. It’s also important to realize that regular household movers aren’t trained for this job.
Information to Provide Your Piano Mover
It's important to provide the movers with detailed information to ensure a smooth moving process. Be prepared to share the type and size of your piano, pickup and delivery locations, details about stairs and door sizes, and any time constraints. The more information the professionals have, the more accurate your moving quote will be. Likewise, having thorough information about the moving company can help you feel confident in trusting them with your instrument. Ensure your piano is moved safely—hire a professional piano mover to complete the job with expert care.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, clients tip piano movers between 5% and 10% of the total moving job cost, divided among the workers. If your movers have done an exceptional job moving your piano to your new home, you might choose to exceed 10% and provide a tip that reflects your appreciation for their excellent service.
Yes, hiring movers who specialize in piano handling is essential for ensuring the safe relocation of your instrument. Specialized piano movers have dedicated training and use advanced equipment designed to secure pianos' heavy, delicate structure. Their expertise guarantees that every lift and maneuver is executed with precision, protecting all internal and external components during the move. Moving a piano yourself can result in personal injury and damage to your instrument.
Professional piano movers protect your instrument with a precise and systematic approach. They begin by wrapping the piano in a high-quality, padded blanket that safeguards the finish and main structural elements. Next, they securely strap the wrapped piano onto a dolly and apply additional stabilization using supportive materials such as plywood to ensure the instrument remains motionless during transit, particularly when navigating narrow spaces or uneven terrain.
To prepare your piano for the move, you must first document its condition by taking clear photographs and securing every delicate part. This preparation builds a solid foundation for a safe transition. After taking photos, securely fasten the lid and wrap the piano in bubble wrap and heavy-duty furniture blankets. Measure doorways and confined spaces to guarantee proper clearance, and ensure that children and pets are kept at a safe distance on moving day.
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