Article takeaways
- Pianos are heavy, awkwardly balanced, and easy to damage, which is why professional piano movers are strongly recommended over a DIY move, especially for uprights and grands.
- If you do move a piano yourself, you’ll need a piano dolly, moving straps, furniture blankets, and at least three to four capable helpers.
- Never tip or drag a piano on its legs or casters. This is the most common cause of damage during amateur moves.
- Get quotes from at least two piano moving specialists, since pricing varies based on piano type, distance, and building access.
- If you’re not moving your piano into your new space right away, a climate controlled storage unit helps protect it from temperature and humidity damage in the meantime.
Moving a piano is not like moving a couch or a dresser. Pianos weigh anywhere from around 300 pounds for a small upright to well over 700 pounds for a grand piano, and their weight is distributed unevenly, which makes them prone to tipping or damage during a move.
Here’s how to move a piano, whether you hire a specialist or attempt it yourself.
Should You Hire a Professional Piano Mover?
For most pianos, yes. Professional piano movers have the equipment, training, and insurance to move a piano safely, and they carry liability coverage in case something goes wrong.
This matters both for protecting the instrument, which can be expensive to repair or tune after a rough move, and for protecting your home from damage during the move itself.
Upright pianos are somewhat more manageable for a DIY move than grand pianos, but both carry a real risk of injury or damage without the right equipment and experience.
If your piano has sentimental or significant monetary value, hiring a specialist is the safer call.
What Piano Movers Typically Charge
Piano moving costs vary based on the type of piano, the distance of the move, and building access at both ends, including stairs, tight doorways, or the need for a crane or hoist for upper-floor moves.
Because pricing varies so much by these factors, getting quotes from at least two piano moving specialists in your area is the most reliable way to know what your specific move will cost.
What You Need for a DIY Piano Move
If you’re moving a smaller upright piano yourself, gather these before you start:
| A piano dolly (a four-wheeled platform rated for the piano’s weight) | |
| Heavy-duty moving straps | |
| Furniture blankets or moving pads to protect the piano’s finish | |
| A ramp if you’re loading into a truck without a lift gate | |
| At least three to four physically capable helpers |
Step-by-Step: Moving an Upright Piano
- Close and lock the keyboard lid to protect the keys during transport.
- Wrap the piano in moving blankets, securing them with tape or straps so they don’t shift.
- Tilt the piano back carefully with at least two people supporting it, and slide the piano dolly underneath.
- Strap the piano to the dolly securely before moving it.
- Roll the piano slowly on the dolly, keeping it upright at all times. Never drag it on its legs or casters.
- Use a ramp, not stairs when possible, to load the piano into the truck. If stairs are unavoidable, this is a strong signal to call a professional instead.
- Secure the piano in the truck with straps anchored to the truck’s frame, positioned so it can’t shift or tip during transport.
- Unload in reverse, using the same care and the same number of helpers.
What Not to Do When Moving a Piano
- Don’t tip the piano onto its legs or casters and roll it. Piano legs and casters aren’t designed to bear the piano’s full weight in motion, and this is the most common cause of cracked legs or structural damage.
- Don’t attempt stairs without professional help. Even experienced movers use specialized equipment for stair moves.
- Don’t skip the moving blankets. Even a short move without padding risks scratching or denting the finish.
- Don’t move a piano without enough helpers. Attempting it short-handed significantly increases the risk of injury and damage.
Storing a Piano Before or After a Move
If there’s a gap between when you move out and when you can place the piano in its new location, piano storage is a reasonable option, but not every storage unit is a good fit.
Pianos are sensitive to temperature and humidity swings, which can affect tuning, warp wood components, and damage internal parts over time.
A climate controlled storage unit keeps temperature and humidity more consistent, which matters if the piano will be in storage for more than a few weeks.
Now You Know How to Move a Piano
Moving a piano safely comes down to the right equipment, enough help, and realistic expectations about the risk involved. For most people, hiring a professional piano mover is worth the cost, especially for grand pianos or moves involving stairs. If you do move one yourself, take it slow, never roll it on its legs, and consider climate controlled storage if it won’t go straight into its new home.
