(Last Updated On: June 26, 2023)

Are you planning to move and worried about the costs of taking your piano with you? Relocating a piano is not a simple task. It is a heavy and delicate instrument, so moving it must be well-planned and executed.

In this article, we will provide you with a thorough guide explaining the factors that determine the price of moving a piano and the general range you can expect to pay.

How Much Does it Cost to Move a Piano?

Several factors, like the piano’s size, the distance it must travel, and the complexity of the transfer, can greatly affect the final price tag. Prices could range anywhere from $150 to $4000, which is why it’s best to compare estimates from different qualified piano moving firms before making a final decision.

It’s not unusual for the cost of moving a piano to add up quickly since the price may change based on several factors, such as the piano’s weight, type, distance traveled, etc. So let’s look at what you could expect to spend when transporting a piano.

Moving a piano will set you back anywhere from $150 to $300 if the relocation is local. Naturally, the shorter the distance, the lower the cost.

If you’re relocating internationally, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5000 or more since the distance, shipping method, customs regulations, piano type, size, weight, and additional services can all affect the final price tag.

The moving price may also change based on the piano’s type and size. Because of their smaller size and lighter weight, upright pianos are more affordable to relocate than grand pianos.

An upright piano will cost anywhere from $150 to $800 to relocate, depending on the distance traveled, whereas a grand piano will cost anywhere from $200 to $1200 to transfer.

Another crucial aspect to consider is how easily you can get to your final location. Costs will likely rise if the piano needs to be carried up or down stairs, through a tiny hallway, or into a tight room.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Moving a Piano

Let’s take a closer look at what goes into the price of relocating your piano.

The Type and Weight of The Piano

The price of transporting a piano varies widely depending on its type. Grand pianos, baby grand pianos, upright pianos, and digital pianos are just a few of the types available.

Due to their massive size and weight, grand pianos tend to be the most expensive musical instrument to transport. Moving your grand piano might set you back around $200 to $5000, depending on if you’re moving it locally or overseas.

While baby grand pianos may be lighter and easier to move than grand pianos, they still have delicate construction and need special care when being moved. And in comparison to grand pianos, the cost to move a baby grand piano is usually lower.

Moving on to upright pianos. This is the most common piano type that you will find in people’s homes. They are lighter and smaller than grand and baby grand pianos, making them much easier to move and less expensive to transport.

Digital pianos are the cheapest to ship due to their portability and relatively small size. They’re much lighter than standard pianos, with shipping costs that are substantially lower than other piano types.

Distance

The cost of transporting a piano can vary widely depending on how far it must be carried.

Moving the piano across town will likely be less expensive than moving it to another state. Naturally, the further it has to travel, the higher the price will be.

Additionally, given that different moving scenarios need different amounts of time, manpower, and equipment, the distance is a major factor in establishing how much relocating a piano will set you back.

If you’re traveling a long distance, you may need to dismantle the piano and properly store it for transportation, not to mention spending more on fuel and tolls.

The Difficulty of Accessing The Location

This is another major factor affecting the cost of the piano transfer. If the location is difficult to reach, let’s say it needs to be moved to the 5th floor of an old building with no elevator or through a narrow doorway.

Depending on how difficult the place is to reach, the cost of moving a piano will go up since it will need more time, effort, and equipment to move the piano.

The movers might need specialised equipment like lifting straps, dollies, and maybe even helicopters for really challenging transfers. The cost of the relocation will increase because of this equipment and the manpower needed behind it.

The movers may also have to dismantle the piano in order to get it through a slim doorway or a crowded corridor, therefore increasing the moving cost and the time needed to relocate the piano.

But, if the piano is in a wide and spacious open room on the ground level, the relocation will be easier and cheaper.

So it really depends on how easy it is to access the location. The less time and energy it requires, the less it will cost you.

Insurance

It’s important to consider the likelihood of damage or loss while transporting your piano and whether or not you’re covered in such a scenario.

If your piano is not already a part of your home insurance, you might want to consider checking out insurance firms and paying a little extra to have your piano protected in case something happened during the transfer.

Although most movers include some form of insurance coverage in their service packages, others will have you pay extra for it.

To get the most bang for your buck, though, and guarantee that you are financially and legally protected throughout the relocation, you should check out the rates and coverage details of several insurance plans from different moving/insurance companies.

Of course, taking all of these extra measures will increase the total expense of the relocation, but it will also give you peace of mind and reduce the likelihood that the piano will be damaged in transit.

Season and Demand

If you’re planning to move during the summer or the holiday seasons (or other times of the year when movers are very busy), you might need to pay extra since the moving company might charge higher prices for their services during those busy times.

This is because there is a higher demand for moving services around these specific times of the year, and fewer moving firms will be available, as well as other resources to meet that demand.

In order to meet the increased demand that often occurs during busy moving seasons, movers may need to recruit temporary workers or invest in new equipment. Because of this, the moving company’s expenses may rise, and the firm may choose to pass those costs on to you, the customer.

Moving prices might skyrocket not just due to peak moving seasons but also due to last-minute packing and transport.

If a customer requests an urgent piano transfer, the moving firm will have to adjust its timetable or devote more resources to meet the customer’s demands. And since the moving company may need to charge more for the extra work involved in completing the move on such short notice, the customer will end up paying more, leading to a higher moving bill.

FAQs

Is it worth moving an old piano?

Whether it's worth relocating an old piano relies on a variety of considerations, including the piano's condition, the moving cost, and the emotional significance of the piano itself. If you're attached to the piano and don't feel like getting rid of it, or if it's very rare or expensive, it's best to take it with you.

What is the cheapest way to transport a piano?

Moving a piano without the help of a professional moving company is the most cost-effective option. You can always move the piano yourself with the help of some friends. However, it's important to remember that moving a piano is a delicate process that calls for specific equipment and might be unsafe if attempted without professional assistance.

What is the best way to transport a piano?

Hiring a professional moving company that specialises in piano transportation is the safest and most efficient method of transporting a piano. If you plan on moving your piano yourself and don't have the right tools or training to do it safely, you might end up hurting yourself or damaging your piano.

Conclusion

Overall, relocating a piano is not an easy task. A successful relocation is impossible without prior planning, the proper tools, and the assistance of trained professionals.

The final price can be affected by several factors, including the size and condition of the piano, the location of its new home, and the duration of the transfer, among others. But if you do your research and use a reliable moving company, you can be assured that your piano will arrive at its destination in one piece.

Remember that the cost of relocating a piano is minimal compared to the priceless memories and money you will be saving from purchasing a new piano.

So don’t let the cost of transporting a piano stop you from bringing your prized instrument with you. With some proper planning and the help of trained professionals, you can have it safely delivered to your new home and start enjoying its wonderful music in no time.