How Much Do Piano Movers Cost? (Find Out Now!)

Pianos are just as great for playing and recreation as they are as a centerpiece in your home. They are just as beautiful and pleasant to listen to as they are cumbersome and heavy. Most homeowners wouldn’t dare to move a piano on their own, nor should they, so how much do piano movers cost?

The average piano removal cost is $1,125 for long distances and $400 for short distances. It costs an average of $5.75 per mile in travel fees to remove a piano. You can expect to spend an extra $100 per staircase when you move a piano.

Professionals charge you based on size, weight, how many steps you have, and gas mileage. It is recommended that you hire a professional to move your piano to avoid damage or harmful situations. Follow along as we explore how much you can expect to pay when you hire professionals to move your piano.

It can cost anywhere between $200 and $2,050 or more to move a piano depending on the distance. You can expect to pay between $200 and $500 to move a piano locally if it doesn’t need to go far. However, it is expensive to move a piano a far distance or across state lines, and you may pay as much as $2,500.

The average cost to hire a professional to move your piano is $400 but moves can get pricey. Several factors determine how much it costs to move your piano, and that includes:

Upright pianos are quite common, and that is what most homeowners keep in their houses. They are also one of the cheapest pianos to move, and you can expect to pay between $125 and $300. Prices stay low with upright pianos because of their simple shape and design that makes them easier to move.

However, upright pianos are heavy and weigh between 500 and 800 pounds. A piano mover may charge you more to move a large upright piano if multiple steps are involved. Be prepared to spend up to $100 extra for every staircase that the piano has to go up or down.

It typically costs $250-$400 to move a baby grand piano if they only have to move it a short distance. Baby grands usually weigh between 500 and 600 pounds, and it takes 2-3 people or more to safely move one. Your piano mover can charge you as much as $10 per step, so that may factor into your total cost as well.

However, you can expect to pay up to $1,500 or more to move a baby grand long-distance. Long drives may cost you under $1,000, but it can cost over $2,000 to ship it across the country.

Grand pianos weigh as little as 500 pounds or as much as 1,400 pounds. The staggering weight makes it difficult to move grand pianos, and it can even involve more equipment. Professional sometimes have to partially dismantle grand pianos to move them, and that adds another $100-$200 to the bill.

Piano movers often charge between $300 and $650 to move a grand piano a short distance. Prepare yourself to spend up to $2,000 or more to move a grand piano across state lines due to labor, travel, fuel, and equipment.

Spinet pianos are small, easy to transport, and only weigh 200-300 pounds, in general. It only takes two people to move a spinet piano, in most cases, and that reduces labor and transportation costs. You may pay as little as $100-$300 to move a spinet piano locally or within a short distance.

The average homeowner spends $200-$250 to locally move a spinet piano. However, you can spend between $650 and $2,000 or more to transport a spinet piano over a long distance. Some homeowners move spinet pianos on them to save money because they are light, but it’s still wise to hire a professional.

You can expect to pay between $200 and $500 to move your piano a short distance from your home. This is the case if you move within the same county or to a city that is less than 30 minutes away. Piano movers charge you a lower rate per mile if the destination isn’t far from the starting point.

The average professional piano mover charges you between $1.50 and $3.00 per mile for short distances. Many piano movers also charge you for fuel costs, but that is less common for nearby destinations and short trips. Keep in mind that distance costs are only part of the total cost of moving your piano.

Be prepared to pay a professional up to $2,000 or more to move your piano a long distance. It could cost as little as $600, but that all depends on what the mover charges you per mile. Piano moves charge you more money per mile for long-distance piano deliveries.

You can expect to pay between $2.25 and $10.00 per mile to move your piano a long distance. Professionals charge you a higher rate per mile with long-distance jobs due to travel time, fuel consumption, and hours on the clock. This is necessary when you have to move a long distance, such as states away, but it can be quite expensive.

A piano mover will generally charge you between $80 and $230 to move a piano between rooms in a house. Smaller pianos rarely cost more than $100 to move within a house because there is no travel time. Grand and baby grand pianos are more expensive and generally cost a minimum of $150 to move within a house.

However, things get pricier if you need to temporarily move a piano out of a room. This is common if you need to paint or remodel a room that has a piano in it, and it generally doubles the price. Some piano movers offer a reduced rate when they bring the piano back into the room, but that is rare and reserved for same-day moves.

You only need to tune a piano after moving it if it is exposed to heat and humidity for a long time. Heat and humidity can throw a piano out of tune, and you’ll need to tune it when it arrives. Movement can also sometimes rattle the soundboard which can affect your piano’s tuning.

Professional piano tuners charge you $60-$100 an hour, on average, and the timeframe varies based on how old a piano is. It only takes 1 ½ hour to tune a new piano, but older pianos can take up to 4 hours to tune. You can expect to pay anywhere between $90 and $400 to tune your piano if it is out of tune upon arrival.

Some homeowners need to temporarily store a piano for a time before they move it into a different home. The average homeowner spends $50-$80 per month to store a piano. It is important to make sure that the storage that you choose is temperature-controlled so that humidity and heat don’t damage the piano.

Excess humidity and heat can cause the wood to warp, especially if it’s in storage for months. Purchase a temperature and humidity-protected crate to keep the piano in if that is an issue.

Related Questions

Should I hire a piano mover?

You should hire a piano mover because it is easy to damage a piano when you move it. It can take between 2 and 4 people to move a piano because of the shape, size, and weight. However, you can move a piano on your own if you move it from one room to another if a few people help you.

Does moving a piano affect tuning?

You won’t generally detune a piano when you transport unless it’s in hot or humid conditions. A piano is unlikely to go out of tune unless it’s a long trip where it will be exposed to heat. Otherwise, piano strings are stretched to where they can withstand a lot of tension before they go out of tune.

Can you move a piano yourself?

It is possible to move a piano on your own, but it is not recommended because it can be dangerous. However, you can successfully move a piano within a house using a dolly if you protect the piano and cover the keys. Pianos generally weigh between 300 and 1,400 pounds, so you must exercise caution when you move a piano of any size.

Can an upright piano be moved on its back?

Yes, you can lay an upright piano on its back when you move it, and it’s a common practice. Many professionals transport upright pianos while they are on their back, and it doesn’t harm the piano. As long as you don’t drop the piano or transport it without straps, it’s okay to move it on its back.

Professionals generally charge you between $200 and $2,050 to move a piano depending on how far it goes. It only costs $200-$500 to move a piano a short distance within the same county or a few cities away. However, you can expect to pay up to $2,000 or more to move a piano across state lines or the country.

You’ll only pay $80-$230 to move a piano from one room to another depending on whether or not it has to go up or down steps. Expect to pay up to $80 per month if you need to store a piano before you move it. It is worth the cost to pay professionals to move your piano so that you keep the piano intact and avoid damage.