The Cost of Moving a Piano: What You Need to Know

Imagine listening to the soothing melody of a piano filling the room, its soothing notes echoing within you as it mesmerizes you with its magnificent beauty. A piano is not simply an instrument; it's an unforgettable masterpiece with tunes that transport us into another dimension. 

Moving such an elegant instrument poses unique difficulties, prompting many of us to ask: how much does it cost to move a piano? 

In this article, we begin our exploration into piano moving costs. By uncovering their complexity and the contributing factors that influence the relocation price, we aim to unmask this delicate process and reveal all its secrets. 

So buckle up as we journey into this intriguing world of piano transport.

Do I Need a Piano Mover?

You might ask yourself: “Does my piano need to be moved by a professional?”

It's important to remember that your piano is more than just a piece of furniture. It's an expensive musical instrument.

When moving your piano, you must be careful. Pianos can be very heavy, and many parts, such as pedals, strings, and keys, are not readily available or inexpensive to replace.

It is essential to hire a professional piano moving company Queens to move your piano. They can weigh up to 150kg.

If you have a high sentimental or monetary value piano, it's worth hiring a piano mover to reduce the risk of damage. This will give you more peace of mind.

Can Pianos Easily Be Damaged During a Move or a Change of Location?

A piano has thousands of moving parts, which can easily break if not handled carefully.

While moving a piano, the most severe and expensive damage can be done to the internal action parts. The cabinet's exterior can be damaged and costly to repair.

Professional piano movers won't rely on your piano's castors to move it more than a few inches. Instead, they will use piano trolleys.

Scratches, dents, or cracks can damage the piano's casing.

Equipment Needed to Move a Piano

You will need a dolly for moving the piano. Also, you'll need straps and padding.

The specific supplies you will need may vary depending on the type and size of your piano. Padded covers do not come in a single size.

You will need piano dollies for an upright piano, and a piano transit board or skid board is required for a grand piano.

The board must be the correct size and have additional padding and strapping. This board will be strapped on the flat side of your piano to allow it to travel on its side safely.

Do Standard Moving Companies Use Specialist Equipment or Standard Equipment?

Professional standard moving companies can provide extra services such as temperature-controlled vehicles and storage facilities with heat-treated crates with the humidity levels needed for a concert piano.

You will be informed about the additional costs for specialist equipment needed to play different pianos.

Why Should I Hire Professional Moving Services?

You can rest assured that you are in good hands when you hire a professional piano mover. They will use the right equipment to move your piano.

If required, they will be able to disassemble and reassemble a piano.

Find piano movers by searching online or asking your pianist friends.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Piano-Moving Company?

Before hiring a piano moving specialist service, it's a good idea to check references. You can find testimonials and reviews online.

Ask questions before hiring a professional:

  • Have you got the right equipment for moving a grand piano safely, like transit skids or padded covers?
  • Do you have any references or testimonials from previous clients?
  • Is it safe to disassemble the piano and reassemble it if necessary?
  • What kind of guarantees do you provide?
  • Are you fully covered?
  • What is your standard rate for moving a grand or upright piano locally?
  • What size, weight, and distance can you move?
  • Do I have to pay extra for stairs or steps? Do grand pianos come at an additional cost?

You will need a written contract with all the details and a final price agreed upon. This is so there are no hidden clauses or vague additions.

You should take pictures and details of the condition of your piano to protect yourself in case something goes wrong.

How Can I Find the Best Piano Moving Service?

You may ask yourself: “How much does it cost to move a piano?”

Checking their experience before hiring a company to move your instrument is essential. You can also browse their website for pictures or videos of previously completed projects.

Comparing costs between companies is also a good idea (remember that the cheapest price does not always mean it's the best). You should also consider the flexibility of your schedule and time frame and the guarantee offered by the company.

How Much Will It Cost Me to Move My Piano Professionally?

You should receive a detailed cost breakdown from your piano mover, including the amount you will pay at the end of the move.

The following should be included in the breakdown:

  • The size and type of piano
  • Distance of the move
  • Additional piano moving costs
  • The piano can be found on the ground floor or even upstairs
  • Date and time for moving

Hourly Rate or Set Fee?

If the moving company charges an hourly or flat fee, it will affect your piano's cost. How each moving company calculates prices can make it difficult to compare quotes and prices.

Piano removal companies can generate a quote in two different ways:

  • An hourly rate, with a minimum charge of 2 or 3 hours
  • A set fee, determined by the factors mentioned above

It is best to ask companies for a quote directly. You should also get a total price upfront to know the costs.

How Do You Calculate the Cost of Shipping a Piano?

To get an accurate estimate for moving a keyboard, you'll need to know the size and type of the piano.

For an upright piano, you can measure the height of its lid from the ground to its top. The length of its keyboard measures a grand piano from one end to the other.

The specialist piano moving company can provide an accurate quote based on the collection and delivery address. The cost of moving a piano will be affected by fuel and labor costs.

Provide Accurate Information on Your Piano Move

If there are any obstacles in your movement path, like narrow doors, small steps, narrow halls, or tight spaces, the cost to move your piano could increase significantly.

Moving companies need to be aware of obstacles along the path to provide an accurate quote. If you have stairs, make sure to include the following:

  • The number of steps
  • Indoor or outdoor stairs
  • The type of staircase (straight or spiral).
  • Tight corners

The difficulty of moving a piano increases when you traverse more than four or even five steps in a row, depending on the depth.

Providing the moving company with accurate details can give you an accurate estimate. Working closely with your moving firm will help you facilitate the moving process efficiently and seamlessly.

You should also keep in mind that certain companies may be able to offer a better price if you decide to have them move your piano on a “part-run” basis.

They may pick up your piano near you, store it in their facility, and then deliver it on another day in the new area. It is a common practice when moving pianos over long distances.

Adequate Insurance

It's essential to get the details of the insurance in writing. This will include the coverage and limits. It's not worth getting a low piano removal quote if the company isn't fully insured for your property, i.e., Don't cover the walls, steps, or floors.

It's not worth repainting or replacing your walls if they are scratched.

Compare Quotes From Piano Movers

Compare the prices from multiple companies to get the best value. Location can affect how much a service costs. You can find the average piano moving price in your area by comparing prices.

To get the best quote, you can also provide images of your piano and other details (such as staircases) to help the moving company understand the situation.

Once Your Piano Is in Its New Home

Once the piano has been safely installed in your home, you must ensure it is placed in an area with the right climatic conditions. It is essential that the piano does not have excessive humidity and doesn't experience temperature changes.

You can buy an inexpensive hygrometer if you're unsure if your room suits the climate. It will give you valuable information. The piano could be adversely affected if placed near a fireplace, under a vent, or in direct sun.

You must tune your piano once it is safely in its new location. The moving of the instrument and the change in climate conditions in the new home has caused the strings to become unbalanced.

If you want to avoid having the piano go out of tune, let it settle for 4-8 weeks before tuning it.

Are Piano Movers Worthwhile?

If you consider all of this information, the answer to “Are piano movers worthwhile?” Yes, it is!

When people decide to move their piano by themselves, they often think it will save them money. In reality, the opposite is true. It is costly to buy the specialist equipment required to move a grand piano, and it is also a complex and lengthy process.

Professional movers have been specially trained and are equipped with the necessary equipment to move a piano safely.

Got something you want to ask?

There are no stupid questions when it comes to moving! We’re here to help you throughout the moving experience, so feel free to chat to us if you’d like to know more about your move.