Piano Moving Expenses: What You Need to Know Before You Relocate Your Instrument

Moving a piano takes much care and attention, a complex task. As a piano owner, you must ensure your beloved instrument is safely and securely transported to its new home. 

This is where a moving company comes in handy. However, before you hire a moving company to relocate your piano, it's crucial to understand the cost involved. 

In this guide, we'll explore all the piano moving expenses you need to know to make an informed decision and easily relocate your instrument.

What Is the Cost of Moving a Piano?

Piano music is one of the most beautiful and magical sounds on earth. It is both gentle and powerful, joyful and solemn. It is also soothing and moving. The instrument that creates such beautiful, exquisite, and powerful music should be equally as delicate and awe-inspiring.

A piano is an object of grandeur and beauty. A piano is a beautiful and elegant piece but also a huge musical instrument. Moving a piano from one location to another takes much care and effort. They are large and heavy but also delicate and sensitive, making them vulnerable to damage. They are also very valuable and expensive.

It is not recommended to move a piano yourself. It is best to leave the job to professional, experienced piano movers with the necessary equipment and expertise to safely and efficiently relocate your beautiful instrument. But how much do piano movers cost? Can you afford it?

Find out how much it costs to move a piano on average and what factors determine the price for each relocation.

Piano Moving Cost Factors

The cost of moving a piano is determined by the type of musical instrument being moved, the nature of the move, and the circumstances of each move.

Size and Type of Piano

Different pianos are different in size, weight, shape, and other characteristics. They also require different handling equipment and techniques. The type of musical instrument you have will determine the cost of moving it.

• Moving heavier pianos costs more because they require more personnel and specialized equipment.
• The need for partial disassembly or crating increases the cost of moving larger pianos.
• The shape of grand pianos makes it difficult to carry and move them, making the cost higher than that of upright pianos.

Piano movers will need the instrument's size, type, and make to calculate the cost of moving it and determine how many people and equipment they require.

When you are looking for piano movers, and asking for a cost estimate, be sure to:

1. You must specify the type of piano you have.

• Spinet Pianos are smaller than 40 inches and weigh between 300-400 pounds. ;
• Compact upright pianos weigh between 500 lbs and 800 lbs. ;
• The shape of a grand piano is distinctive, with lovely curves. They can be as tall or longer than they are long and weigh between 600 and 1200 pounds.

2. The piano should be measured precisely.

• Measure the height of your upright piano from the floor to the lid.
• Measure the length of your grand piano from the end of the keyboard up to the bow. Baby grand pianos can be as short as six feet, while concert models can reach seven feet.

3. The movers will need to know the exact weight and shape of the musical instrument.

Move Away

The second most important factor in determining the cost of moving a piano is the distance the instrument travels. The longer the distance is, the more expensive the move.

The cost of moving a long piano distance is higher than moving it locally because the moving company has to factor in the additional time and fuel needed for a long-distance move. Professional piano movers calculate the cost of moving by calculating the distance and mileage. They charge between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile if the move is local and from $2.50 to $10 per mile if it's long-distance.

The Pick-up and Deliver Locations are Unique

The final cost of moving a piano is also affected by any obstacles that make it difficult to move it into or out of the home.

The biggest obstacle to moving a piano is the stairs. It's very risky, difficult, and expensive. You need at least two strong people with specialized equipment. Moving companies charge extra for moving pianos up or down stairs. The fee is usually $5 to $10 per step, which is $40 to $100 per staircase.

When discussing the costs and conditions of your piano move, inform them in advance about any stairs that may exist at the location (not just inside the building but also outside the entrances). The movers can then give you a more accurate cost estimate and know what equipment they need to bring to transport your piano up and back down the stairs safely.

The cost of moving will be reduced if there is an elevator in either location where the piano can be placed. (Especially if you are moving from or into an apartment on the upper floors).

The following obstacles can also increase the cost of moving a piano:

• Spiral staircases;
• You will find that there are many tight spaces and sharp corners.
• Narrow doorways
• A gravel, brick, or grass path should be between your house and the moving truck.
• The terrain is hilly.

These factors can make it more difficult to move a piano safely and increase the cost.

Tell your piano movers about any obstacles or difficulties you may encounter at your old and new home. This will allow them to assess the risks and send the right equipment and workers who are qualified and experienced to ensure a smooth and safe relocation.

The Average Cost of Moving a Piano

How much does it cost you to move a keyboard? The average cost of moving a piano is between $200 and $400 for local moves and $1,000 to $2,000 for long-distance moves.

1. The average cost of moving a piano varies depending on the type. Moving an upright can cost between $150 and $500, while a baby-grand piano costs $250 to $2,000.

2. The average piano moving costs vary from $150 to $850 for local moves. Costs to ship a grand piano across the country range from $500 to $2,000

Moving a standard upright within the city will cost more than 100 dollars. But moving a grand piano a long distance is slightly less than 2000.

How Is the Piano Moving Cost Calculated?

You can calculate the cost of moving a piano in two ways:

Hourly rate: Most local movers will charge you an hourly fee with a minimum 3-hour period (which is the time required to move a piano safely from its original location in a house to a moving truck and then drive it to its destination within the city, unload it, and bring it into its new home).

Flat rate: Cross Country piano movers will usually quote you a flat fee based on factors such as the type of piano to be relocated, distance, and difficulty.

A professional piano mover's base rate is usually $50. To estimate moving costs, they will add the mileage rate at about $1.50 for local moves, $3 for long-distance moves, and any additional charges for stairs, steps, or other obstacles.

They then consider how many workers, what equipment, and where the piano is in the house to pack, lift, carry, and transport safely. 

It's good to know

1. Piano moving requires special equipment in addition to moving trucks equipped with ramps. This is to ensure that the piano remains safe.

• A piano-moving dolly is $200.
• A hump belt – $25
• A piano skid board – $125;
• A locking piano belt – $25, etc.

2. Depending upon the weight and size of the instrument, it may take 3 to 5 movers to complete the task safely.

In the quote, you will find out how much moving costs.

If you do the maths, it costs about $150 to move an upright and about $1,050 to move a large piano across the country. The prices increase by $40-$100 for each flight of stairs and $40-$240 for every obstacle. This results in an average piano moving cost of $200 (for small pianos) and $2,000 (for grand pianos).

Additional Costs

You now have a better understanding of how piano shipping prices are calculated. However, as usual, other factors affect the final cost.

• Special packing requirements: If your piano is large, sensitive, or valuable, it may need to be created or disassembled for shipping. This will increase the cost of moving.
  • The movers usually charge around $100 to disassemble the piano, including the pedal box and music rack.
  • A grand piano crating starts at $800 and can go up to $1200 for heat-treated crating.

• Hoisting service: If the piano is too large to fit through the door or stairs, a crane will be needed to lift it up or down through a window. This service is usually between $750-$1,000.
• Additional items: If you wish to move any additional items with your piano, such as a bench or piano, the cost will be $1 per pound. This is a minimum of 20 dollars for each item.
• Rush jobs: Last-minute piano relocations can cost twice as much as the standard price. Rush fees can be up to $300 if you move locally and $400-$700 if you move long distance.
• Insurance: Professional piano movers provide free insurance for up to $5,000. Additional insurance costs $10 to $15 per $1,000.
• Rescheduling: You may be charged up to $400 for rescheduling or canceling a move.
• Storage: You'll need to pay between $50 and $75 per month to store your piano in a climate-controlled unit if you have to store it for some time during your move. 
• Returning: is recommended after moving your piano. Despite the best efforts of your piano movers, the delicate internal parts may have been shaken loose or shifted during transportation. Returning your piano to consider the climate and humidity may also be necessary. After moving, wait a few weeks for the piano to adjust to humidity levels in the new location before professionally tuning it. The service costs between $100 and $150.

The final cost of moving a piano is calculated as follows:

Base rate ($50) + Cost per mile ($1.5/$3.00) + Cost per stair ($5.00) + Cost per hardship ($40-$240) + Extra charges (special services, insurance, storage, etc.)

In summary:

	Upright piano	Grand piano
Local move	$150-$300 (average cost of $200)	$250-$650 (average cost of $400)
Long distance move	$500-$800 (average cost of $600)	$1000-$2000 (average cost of $2000)

Finding Good Piano Movers at Affordable Prices

You can see that moving a piano requires both skill and money. Hiring the best piano moving service like Abreu Movers Westchester at the lowest possible cost is important to ensure the musical instrument's safety and avoid breaking the bank.

You can find piano movers at a reasonable price who are also very competent and reliable. All you need to do is know where to look.

• To contact reputable piano movers near you, complete the moving quote form.
• Check out the websites of the moving companies to get more information. You can find out what services they offer, their tariffs, how long they have been in business, their credentials, and their USDOT number. ;
• You can read moving reviews from people who recently moved with the piano moving company you are interested in. See if they were satisfied with the services they received.
• You can request on-site quotes from piano moving companies that fit your requirements, budget, and needs.
• Inform the movers about any difficulties you may encounter in your new or old home (stairs, tight spaces, gravel pathways, restricted access, etc.). Talk about any special handling needs, extra services you need (or want), preferred dates for pickup and delivery, and other details. Also, ask about insurance options.
• Compare offers and select the piano moving company that best suits your needs. Check your chosen piano moving company's license, experience, and trustworthiness.
• Once you have decided, book your chosen firm's services.

FAQs

What should I do when my piano has to be moved up or down?

The size and weight of a piano make it difficult to move up or down stairs. To ensure the safety of the piano and movers, hiring experienced professionals in moving up and down stairs is important. If stairs are in the move, you should inform the piano moving company well in advance. This may result in an extra fee. The piano movers arrive with all the equipment and personnel necessary to transport the piano safely up the stairs.

Does my piano move come with insurance?

Most professional piano movers have insurance to cover your piano. It is best to check with the moving company and confirm the insurance coverage before the move. Consider additional insurance for pianos that are valuable or antique.

When should I tune my piano?

After moving your piano, it is best to have it tuned. The vibrations and movements during the move can cause the instrument's tuning to be out of tune. To ensure your piano sounds great in its new home, consult a professional to arrange a tuning session.

Why should you hire professionals to move your piano?

The task of moving a piano requires special skills and equipment. Moving pianos without the help of professionals can cause damage and injury. Piano movers are professionals who have the knowledge and expertise to relocate pianos safely and protect them throughout the move.

What is the cost of moving a piano?

The price of transporting a piano is influenced by several variables, such as the piano's size and kind, the distance that has to be traveled, and any obstructions at the pick-up and delivery locations. Moving heavier or larger pianos is usually more expensive. Distance will also influence the cost. Long-distance moves are usually more expensive. Stairs, narrow spaces, and other obstacles can also increase moving costs.