What does it cost to move a piano? Pricing guide and tips

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There are some things in life you can do yourself, but piano moving isn’t one of them. Because it requires specialty knowledge and care, you need to hire the right team for the job — and not all moving companies have the tools and expertise necessary to handle these complexities. And just as important, footing the cost to move a piano requires thoughtful planning and budgeting.

Whether you’re moving a studio piano or a baby grand piano, we’ve dug into the most critical factors of piano moving costs so you can choose a mover wisely.

How much does a piano mover cost?

Piano movers don’t have a concrete price range, as several factors impact the total cost. Distance and piano type are chief among them. Local moves generally cost less than long-distance moves, but even short distances can cost a small fortune if you have a large or antique piano.

Some movers will set a flat rate that includes all parts of the service, while others prefer to set a per-mile or per-hour rate. Shop around, request multiple quotes and compare offers until you find the best value for your budget.

Piano moving costs by distance

We’ve analyzed average piano moving costs based on common distances, including room-to-room, local, long-distance and international averages. Below are the low, average and high estimates we’ve seen in our research.

Sources: HomeGuide and Angi

Average moving costs by piano type

Smaller pianos, such as spinet or upright instruments, generally cost less than grand pianos. Take the estimates with a grain of salt, as prices vary significantly between locations, time of year, and required services.

Source: Bob Vila

Factors affecting piano moving cost

The chief factors to consider when you set your piano moving budget are the type, size and weight of your piano, moving distance, assembly costs and rush fees.

Piano size and weight

Larger and, thus, heavier pianos will cost more to move. Musical instruments require specialized labor and equipment to ensure everything goes smoothly; larger instruments require more time and supplies.

Piano type

Like size, the type of piano impacts the cost of moving it. Upright and studio pianos are more compact, allowing movers to fit them in a smaller truck and save costs. Similarly, larger and older pianos have more intricate parts, increasing the risk of damage during transport. Moving companies account for this risk in their prices and preparation.

Moving distance

Room-to-room and local piano moves are less technical than long-distance or overseas moves. Shorter moving distances require less labor and time commitment, which usually allows movers to price them accordingly.

It’s also important to consider the demand for piano moving services in your origin and destination locations, as the prices can vary depending on average costs in both areas.

Disassembly, crating, reassembly

Piano moving requires a certain degree of “white-glove service” from someone with in-depth knowledge of the instrument.

Sometimes, it’s safer to disassemble it partially and put it back together in its new home. In other cases, a custom crate can be built around it to protect it during transit. There may be situations where a combination of methods is necessary.

Piano specialists will set prices based on additional services required to ensure safe transport. Mary Beth Johnson, the vice president of corporate marketing at Atlas Van Lines, told us that apartments with tedious stairwells or narrow doorways present additional challenges that can increase costs.

She elaborated, “Those who are moving out of an apartment in a busy city, for example, may have to rely on a crane to hoist the instrument through upper-story windows.”

Rush fees

If you need your instrument delivered within a tight timeframe, expect to pay extra for a rush delivery. You can mitigate these costs by planning your move in advance.

Additional costs to consider

In addition to the base price of piano moving services, consider other needs that may arise, including insurance, storage and tuning the instrument in its new home.

Insurance

Because pianos are expensive and, sometimes, irreplaceable items, many piano movers require customers to have at least a $5,000 insurance policy. If your piano exceeds this value, more coverage may be necessary. You can expect to pay about $15 per $1,000 of additional coverage.

Storage

If you don’t need your piano delivered right away, piano storage can be an option, but it comes at a premium price. Piano storage facilities need climate control to avoid damage to the instrument, adding about $50 to $75 to your monthly expenses.

Tuning

After you move your piano, you’ll need to tune it again in its new environment. Piano tuning typically costs between $140 and $300. Jim Wilson, author and pianist, recommended, “If your piano is going from one climate extreme to another, it’s a good idea to let the piano acclimate to its new environment for a couple of weeks before tuning it in its new location.”

Cost-saving tips for piano moving

Moving a piano requires extra care and expertise that not all moving companies can provide. This specialization often comes with a higher premium than other moving services. But you can save if you do the following:

• Shop around: Requesting multiple quotes ensures you find the best price for your desired services. Some moving companies even offer price-match guarantees, so having another price point to negotiate can be helpful.

• Consider a moving broker or marketplace: Moving brokers and marketplaces allow independent carriers to bid on your job. Because they’re competitors, these services can often return competitive quotes you otherwise wouldn’t find.

• Do it yourself: If piano moving costs are firmly outside of your budget, you can employ friends or other third-party movers to help you move your musical instrument with caution. With this option, you’ll want to take every extra step you can by carefully padding the instrument and transporting it slowly.

• Wait to move: Costs will be higher during periods of increased demand. If you can delay your move, request quotes at a few different times of the year and go with the lowest quote you find.

Bottom line

Piano moving is more complex than more generalized moving services, and the costs often reflect that, but you don’t have to jump at the first estimate you get. You can budget and book a service that meets your needs by requesting multiple estimates and staying informed on the average cost to move a piano in your area.

Remember that you’ll likely want insurance, which may not be automatically factored into your base estimate. You’ll also want to confirm you understand the anticipated costs for your piano type and moving distance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.

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