To move a piano safely you need at least four strong people, a piano dolly or skid board, moving straps and thick blankets, and a clear path measured ahead of time. Hiring piano movers typically costs $200 to $600 for a local upright move and $400 to $1,500 for a grand. Stairs, distance and tight turns raise the price.
How much does it cost to move a piano?
Piano moving is priced by the type of piano, the distance and how hard the route is. These are typical 2026 ranges in the United States:
| Piano type | Typical weight | Local move (same city) | Long distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinet or console | 300 to 450 lbs | $200 to $450 | $700 to $1,500 |
| Studio or full upright | 400 to 800 lbs | $250 to $600 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Baby grand | 500 to 700 lbs | $400 to $1,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Grand or parlor grand | 700 to 1,000 lbs or more | $600 to $1,500 | $1,500 to $4,000 |
Extra charges to expect
- Stairs: often $5 to $15 per step, or $50 to $150 per flight.
- Tight turns or narrow doorways: extra time and sometimes door removal.
- Long carries: when the truck cannot park close to the door.
- Storage: climate controlled piano storage typically runs $50 to $200 a month.
- Tuning after the move: usually $100 to $200, booked separately.
Why is moving a piano so hard?
Pianos are heavy, top heavy and delicate at the same time. An upright carries most of its weight in a cast iron plate that holds the strings under many tons of combined tension, and that weight sits high and toward the back. Tip it the wrong way on a stair and it can get away from you fast. Grand pianos are wide and awkward, and their legs and pedal lyre are not built to take sideways force. Inside, thousands of small wooden and felt parts can be knocked out of adjustment by a hard bump.
The biggest risks are injury, damage to the piano and damage to the house. Floors, door frames and walls take a beating when a 600 pound piano gets away from a crew. If that happens, our guides to drywall repair cost and hardwood flooring explain what repairs involve.
How do you move an upright piano step by step?
What you need
- Four or more strong helpers, plus one person to guide and open doors
- A heavy duty four wheel piano dolly rated for the weight
- Lifting or shoulder straps
- Thick moving blankets and stretch wrap or tape to hold them (not on the finish)
- Work gloves and closed toe shoes with good grip
- A ramp and ratchet straps if loading into a truck
The steps
- Measure everything. Check the piano’s height, width and depth against every doorway, hallway and stair turn on the route.
- Clear the path. Remove rugs, furniture and anything on the floor. Protect floors with hardboard or moving pads.
- Close and lock the lid. Close the fallboard over the keys and secure it so it cannot open.
- Wrap the piano. Cover it fully with blankets and secure them with tape or stretch wrap over the blankets only.
- Lift onto the dolly. Lift from the bottom of the case on each end, never by the legs or the lid, and keep the piano upright.
- Move slowly. Roll it with one person on each end and one on each side. Talk through every turn.
- Handle stairs with extreme care. Use straps and keep at least two people on the downhill side. Take one step at a time.
- Secure it in the truck. Place it against the front wall of the truck and strap it tightly so it cannot shift or tip.
Never try to roll a piano on its own small casters across a room or over a threshold. Those wheels are mostly decorative on many older pianos, and they can snap or gouge the floor under the weight. Always lift onto a proper dolly first.
How do you move a grand piano?
Grand pianos are moved on their side on a padded piano board, often called a skid. The process is more technical than an upright, and it is the main case where hiring specialists is strongly recommended. In general, movers lower the lid and remove the music desk, take off the pedal lyre, tip the piano onto its straight side on the padded board while one leg is removed, then remove the remaining legs and strap the piano to the board. It travels on its side on a dolly and is reassembled in reverse.
Done wrong, this can snap a leg, crack the case or injure someone badly. For grand pianos, hiring an experienced piano moving crew is usually worth every dollar.
Should you move a piano yourself or hire movers?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Spinet or console, ground floor to ground floor, short distance | DIY is possible with 4 people and the right gear |
| Full upright with stairs | Hire piano movers |
| Any grand piano | Hire piano movers |
| Valuable or antique instrument | Hire piano movers and ask about coverage |
| Old piano you no longer want | Book removal rather than moving it |
Many older uprights are worth less than the cost of moving and tuning them. If yours has cracked keys, a broken soundboard or will not hold a tune, removal may make more sense than a move. Our garage cleanout and junk removal guide covers what large item removal usually involves. And if the piano is leaving with you on moving day, our move out cleaning checklist helps with the rest of the house.
What should you do after the piano is moved?
Place the piano against an inside wall, away from windows, heating and AC vents, and direct sun. Let it settle in its new room for two to four weeks before tuning, since changes in temperature and humidity affect pitch. Then book a tuning, usually $100 to $200. A tuner can also check for any parts knocked loose during the move. In humid climates, a room humidifier or dehumidifier set to keep humidity steady helps the piano hold its tune longer.
If you have decided an old piano is not worth moving, House Fly can help clear it out. You see an upfront price for junk removal before you book, you book at that price, and House Fly handles the rest, with payment held until the job is done. See your upfront price and book junk removal on House Fly.
Frequently asked questions
How many people does it take to move a piano?
Plan on at least four strong people for an upright piano, plus one person to guide, open doors and watch for obstacles. Grand pianos are typically moved by experienced crews of three or four who use a padded piano board, straps and a dolly. Fewer people raises the risk of injury and damage.
How much does it cost to move a piano locally?
A local upright piano move typically costs $200 to $600 in 2026, and a grand piano $400 to $1,500. Stairs often add $5 to $15 per step, and long carries, tight turns or storage add more. Tuning after the move is separate, usually $100 to $200.
Can you lay an upright piano on its back?
It is best to keep an upright piano upright during a move. Laying it on its back can stress the case and the internal action, and it makes the piano much harder to control. If it must be tipped briefly to clear a doorway, support it fully and return it upright as soon as possible.
How long should I wait to tune a piano after moving it?
Wait about two to four weeks. The piano needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of its new room, and tuning too soon often means the pitch drifts again. Place it on an inside wall away from vents and sunlight while it settles.
