A piano is more than a musical instrument. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture that represents a significant investment of time, financial resources, and emotion. While purchasing a piano often reflects an important milestone or goal, it’s also true that moving a piano is extremely challenging. Pianos aren’t just heavy and awkwardly shaped—they’re also incredibly delicate. They contain thousands of intricate parts that can easily be damaged if handled improperly.

Whether you just want to move an upright piano into another room in your house or need to transport a grand piano to a new home, proper planning, equipment, and execution are essential to protecting both your investment and the movers involved.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to move a piano. However, if you want to make your life easier, hire the pros at Joey’s Movers to do it for you! Call us at (847) 674-7779 or request a free online quote.

How to Move a Piano

The Complexity of Moving a Piano

Pianos represent one of moving’s biggest challenges. Depending on the instrument, a piano can weigh anywhere from 300 to 1,200 pounds, and combined with their extreme weight is the need to protect delicate internal mechanisms, including a cast iron plate, wooden soundboard, hundreds of strings under high tension, and complex action mechanisms.

Professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike make common mistakes when moving a piano, including underestimating the weight of the instrument and how much manpower will be required (especially if there are stairs to be navigated); failing to protect corners, legs, and finish or to secure the internal components; attempting the move the piano without proper equipment; and not considering the best route to the piano’s destination ahead of time.

Should You Move a Piano Yourself or Hire a Professional?

Whether because of expense or underestimating the work, many people think they can move a piano themselves. If you’re researching how to move a piano because you think the job is manageable, we encourage you to carefully consider several factors before you start:

  • Piano type: A grand piano is significantly harder to move than an upright
  • Distance: Room-to-room moves are much easier than relocating to a new building
  • Available help: Most pianos require at least 4-6 strong adults
  • Equipment: Using special dollies and straps is important
  • Experience level: Moving a piano without hurting the instrument, the surroundings, or the movers requires specific techniques

Understanding the Challenges of Moving a Piano

Weight & Size Considerations

Different types of pianos have significantly different weights.

  • Spinet or console uprights — 300-500 pounds
  • Upright pianos — 500-800 pounds
  • Baby grand pianos — 500-650 pounds
  • Grand pianos: — 700-1,200 pounds

You also need to consider the height, width, and depth of the piano itself along with the height, width, and depth of all doorways, hallways, and stairwells you’ll need to get through. Tight corners, turns, ceiling height, and elevator dimensions are all additional factors that must be taken into account, as a single inch can be the difference between a successful move and a regrettable situation.

Potential Damage Risks

Beyond the logistics of moving a piano, you need to consider the potential for damaging the instrument through improper handling. Beyond leading to a need for retuning, there is a real risk of broken strings or hammers, a cracked soundboard, broken legs or pedals, and cosmetic damage to the finish. There’s an equally concerning risk to walls and doorframes, banisters and railings, and hardwood or tile floors, as well as the movers straining their backs or crushing fingers in the process.

Equipment Needed to Move a Piano

Essential Tools and Supplies

Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional, remember that the best way to move a piano safely requires specialized equipment. A moving company that doesn’t use this equipment is cause for concern.

  • Piano Dolly: This essential tool is a heavy-duty platform with wheels specifically designed to support a piano’s weight. Standard furniture dollies are generally not built for this task. The best piano dollies have a 4-wheel design for stability, rubber wheels to protect flooring, a minimum 1,000+ pound weight capacity, and locking mechanisms to prevent rolling.
  • Moving Blankets: At least 4-6 thick, quilted blankets to protect the piano’s finish
  • Furniture Straps: These heavy-duty straps have secure buckles to help with lifting and preventing the piano from shifting during the move.
  • Non-slip Gloves: These are essential for better grip. They also protect the hands.
  • Packing Tape: Useful for keeping moving blankets in place.
  • Piano Board: If you’re moving a baby grand, you’ll need a special board to support it when its legs are removed.
  • Stair-Climbing Dolly: Special dolly for moving up or down stairs. Generally has either tracks or multiple wheels.
  • Ramps or liftgate: Essential for loading a piano into a truck.

When You Need a Specialized Piano Moving Truck

If you’re transporting a piano between locations, a specialized vehicle equipped with a liftgate, climate control, air-ride suspension, and specialized securing systems is recommended. If you’re transporting an upright piano, you need to make sure that the vehicle has proper height clearance so the instrument doesn’t need to be placed at a precarious angle.

Step-by-Step Guide to Moving a Piano

Preparing the Piano for the Move

  • Document the piano’s current condition if you’re using a professional mover.
  • Close and lock the keyboard lid (or use stretch wrap if there’s no lock), remove the music stand if detachable and pack separately, and wrap the pedals.
  • Wrap the entire piano with moving blankets to prevent scratching, securing them with packing tape or stretch wrap. Pay special attention to corners and legs.
  • Clear the path by removing all obstacles, opening all doors as wide as possible (or removing them from their hinges), and protecting flooring with cardboard or plastic sheeting.

Lifting and Transporting an Upright Piano

Learning how to move an upright piano without injury requires understanding the proper lifting technique and proper positioning on the piano dolly. At least two people should be at each end of the piano. Bend at the knees, keeping your back straight, and use your leg muscles to lift together, on a count of three. Take slow, small, coordinated steps to maintain balance, gently lower the instrument onto the center of the dolly. Once in place, use furniture straps to prevent it from shifting and then roll it carefully, pushing rather than pulling and avoiding sudden stops.

Moving a Grand or Baby Grand Piano

Moving a grand piano is considerably more complicated than moving an upright. The process begins in the same way, closing and securing the lid and removing the music stand to pack separately. After these steps, the process changes significantly:

  • Lower and close the top lid completely.
  • Disassemble the legs: This involves turning the piano on its side (with multiple helpers) and then removing the pedal lyre. Carefully remove each leg, labeling its position and wrapping each leg separately.
  • Position the piano on its side on a specialized piano board and use straps to secure it to the board so that it is completely immobile.
  • Cover the piano completely with moving blankets.
  • Secure the piano (on the piano board) to a heavy-duty piano dolly.

How to Move a Piano Up or Down Stairs

Moving a piano up stairs or down stairs presents the greatest challenge and risk to both the instrument and the mover. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the recommended technique:

  • Take a good look at the stairway, measure the width, check for turns, and evaluate the banister clearance you’ll need. Identify safe rest points ahead of time.
  • Always use a specialized stair-climbing dolly that has tracks or multiple wheels specifically designed for stairs.
  • Position movers with at least two strong individuals at the bottom, heavier end, and two or more at the top to guide the piano and keep it from tipping. If possible, have additional spotters along the sides.
  • Take one step at a time, slowly.
  • Maintain constant communication. Assign a team leader who will call out each move.

For particularly difficult stairways, professional piano movers use special equipment, including stair-climbing machines that manage weight distribution.

Loading and Transporting the Piano Safely

Securing the Piano Inside the Truck

When moving a piano in a truck, it should be positioned against the vehicle’s interior wall, making use of wheel wells to make it more secure and creating a stable base with heavy items that won’t shift. Secure the piano using ratchet straps attached to the truck’s tie-down points, and never place items on top, as even lightweight items can damage the piano if they shift.

Transporting in Different Weather Conditions

Weather is out of your control, but you need to keep in mind that pianos are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, so avoid extreme temperatures and try to schedule your piano move during moderate weather if at all possible. If there’s any risk of rain or snow, protect the instrument, and minimize the amount of time that the piano spends outside. Once you arrive at the piano’s destination, let it adjust to the new temperature and humidity gradually, scheduling a tuning for 2-4 weeks after the move to allow for this.

Cost Considerations and When to Hire a Professional

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano?

Professional piano moving costs vary based on the type of piano, whether you’re moving locally or long distance, and whether the move involves stairs, tight spaces, or disassembly. An upright generally costs between $200 and $400 to move while a grand piano costs between $300 and $1,000. Moving a piano a long distance generally adds between $700 and $2,000 depending on the type of piano. Beyond that, the factors that add cost are complexity, the need for additional insurance, and any special instructions or rush delivery.

When It’s Best to Hire a Professional Piano Mover

While there are times and situations where a do-it-yourself piano move is possible, there are some times when professional piano movers are the best way to move a piano. These include:

  • When you’re moving a grand or baby grand piano
  • When multiple flights of stairs are involved
  • Where there are narrow doorways or tight turns
  • When you’re moving a long distance
  • When you don’t have experienced help
  • When the instrument is particularly valuable
  • When insurance coverage is important
  • When you have physical limitations

In all circumstances, professional piano movers have the advantage of specialized equipment, thorough knowledge and experience with piano disassembly/reassembly, and insurance coverage.

Let us move your piano. Give us a call at (847) 674-7779 or request an online quote today!

Why Do So Many People Give Pianos Away for Free?

The High Cost of Piano Moving

After learning all the steps and costs involved in moving a piano, it’s easy to see why so many people give pianos away. When faced with the often unavailable option of doing it themselves or paying relocation expenses of several hundred dollars, many owners choose to find a new home for their piano.

Pianos Are Difficult to Sell and Maintain

In addition to the cost of moving, pianos are generally expensive instruments to own. They require two to four tunings per year as well as repairs and humidity control. They also take up a significant amount of space. Unfortunately, these factors make pianos difficult to sell and that means owners frequently end up giving them away.

What to Do if You Need to Dispose of a Piano

If you can’t move your piano and you want to get rid of it, consider donating it. Schools, churches, and community centers may be grateful for a donated piano. You can also investigate selling it to a piano technician for parts or finding a craftsman who repurposes piano parts into decorative pieces. You also may find local piano recycling services in your area.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to move a piano yourself?

Yes, upright pianos can be moved short distances on one level with proper equipment, sufficient manpower, and careful planning. Grand pianos generally require professional piano movers. Here’s a video for moving a piano up to 500 pounds by yourself.

2. How much does it cost to move a piano?

Professional piano moving typically costs $200-400 for local moves of upright pianos and $300-1,000+ for grand pianos. Long-distance moves can range from $700-2,000+ depending on distance and piano type.

3. What is the best tool to move a piano?

A specialized piano dolly is the most essential tool for moving a piano safely. These heavy-duty dollies are specifically designed to support a piano’s weight and dimensions.

4. Why do so many people give pianos away for free?

The high cost of moving, tuning, and maintaining pianos, combined with declining demand.

Final Piano-Moving Tips

Moving a piano safely requires careful planning, proper equipment, sufficient experienced manpower, and meticulous attention to detail. While learning how to move a piano yourself is possible, it’s also important to recognize when professional help is needed to prevent damage to the instrument, the property you’re moving from and to, and anybody who might be assisting with a move.

If you do attempt to move a piano yourself, remember these key points:

  • Never underestimate the weight or complexity
  • Always use a proper piano dolly
  • Protect the finish with moving blankets
  • Secure internal components before moving
  • Plan your route carefully, measuring all doorways
  • Use sufficient manpower
  • Move slowly and deliberately
  • Allow for acclimatization after the move
  • Schedule tuning a few weeks after relocation

Relying on the experience and resources of a professional piano movers makes a lot of sense, and generally justifies the cost. Get an online quote or call Joey’s Movers at (847) 674-7779 to learn more about their expert piano moving services to ensure that your valuable instrument arrives safely at its destination.

Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe