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Moving a piano locally costs roughly $250–$600 for an upright and $500–$1,200 for a grand in 2026, more with stairs, tight access or long distance. Hire a mover with piano equipment and piano reviews, not just a general mover who says “we move pianos too,” and never move a grand yourself.
What a piano move costs
Piano moves are priced by the type of piano, the distance, and how hard it is to get the piano out and in. Here are approximate 2026 US ranges for a move with no stairs at either end.
| Piano | Weight (approx.) | Local (under ~50 mi) | In-state long distance | Cross-country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinet or console | 300–400 lb | $200–$450 | $400–$1,200 | $900–$2,500 |
| Upright or studio | 300–500 lb | $250–$600 | $500–$1,500 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Baby grand | 500–650 lb | $400–$900 | $700–$2,000 | $1,300–$4,000 |
| Grand | 650–900 lb | $500–$1,200 | $800–$2,500 | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Concert grand | 900–1,200+ lb | $800–$2,000 | $1,200–$3,500 | $2,000–$6,000+ |
Then come the add-ons, charged per end of the move:
| Add-on | Typical extra (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Stairs | $50–$150 per flight, or $5–$15 per step |
| Elevator handling | $50–$100 |
| Tight turns, narrow doors, long carry | $50–$300 |
| Crane or hoist (through a window or balcony) | $500–$1,500+ |
| Climate-controlled storage | $50–$150 per month |
Prices vary by region and season and these are ballparks, not quotes. Big-city moves with walk-ups and building rules run higher. The piano moving cost guide explains every line with its sources, and the cost calculator gives you a range for your own move in under a minute.
Specialist or general mover?
The honest answer: hire someone who moves pianos every week. That can be a dedicated piano mover or a general mover with a piano crew, but “we move pianos too” on a website is not enough. What you want to see:
- The equipment. A padded piano board (also called a skid board), a four-wheel piano dolly, heavy straps, thick pads, and for grands, the tools to take off the legs and lyre.
- A crew of the right size. Two people for a spinet on the flat, three or more for an upright on stairs or any grand.
- Proof. Customer reviews that mention piano moving, not just house moves. On this site, that’s how movers are sorted: specialists first, then general movers whose Google reviews mention pianos, then everyone else.
- Clear coverage. Ask what happens if the piano is damaged, and how much they’ll pay. Basic coverage is often a small amount per pound, far below a piano’s value.
The questions to ask and the red flags in a quote are in piano movers vs regular movers.
How movers actually move a piano
Uprights and grands are moved differently. An upright stays upright; a grand gets taken apart and carried on its side.
| Step | Upright | Grand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Protect | Close and lock the lid, pad the whole case | Remove lid, music desk and pedal lyre, pad the case |
| 2. Lift | Tilt onto a piano dolly | Tip onto its straight side on a padded piano board, then remove the legs |
| 3. Secure | Strap to the dolly | Strap the body to the board, then onto a dolly |
| 4. Stairs | Carried step by step, usually on a board, with 3+ people | Same, with the board taking the weight |
| 5. Truck | Loaded with a ramp or liftgate, strapped upright against the wall | Loaded on its side on the board, strapped |
| 6. Set up | Unpad, place away from windows and heat | Reattach legs, lyre and lid, level it |
Step-by-step guides: how to move a piano, moving an upright, moving a grand, and pianos and stairs.
Should you move it yourself?
For most people, no. A piano is heavy, top-heavy and fragile in the wrong places, and the injury risk is real.
- Small upright or spinet, ground floor to ground floor, short route: doable with 3–4 strong helpers, a rented piano dolly, straps and blankets. You’ll save maybe a few hundred dollars.
- Any piano on stairs: hire a pro. Stairs are where people get hurt and pianos get dropped.
- Any grand: hire a pro. Taking the legs off and tipping it onto a board takes practice and the right board.
- Moving it across the country: hire a pro. Crating, climate in the truck and insurance all matter more over distance. See long-distance piano moving.
If you do it yourself, the equipment guide lists what to rent or buy.
Finding a piano mover in your city
The piano mover directory covers 14 US cities. Each city page lists movers from Google Maps in three groups:
- Piano specialists: piano moving is their main Google category, or they’re a piano business.
- Movers with piano experience: general movers whose Google reviews mention piano moving at least twice.
- Also list piano moving: everyone else who lists it, collapsed by default.
Nobody pays to be listed or ranked. Each listing shows its Google rating, how many reviews mention piano moving, and when Google last updated it. Call at least three and compare quotes.
Insurance, damage and what to check before signing
A written quote should list the piano type, both addresses, stairs and access at each end, the crew size, and whether the price is binding. Before you sign:
- Ask about coverage. For interstate moves, movers must offer full-value protection, and the cheaper “released value” option pays only 60 cents per pound per item: about $300 for a 500 lb upright, whatever it’s worth. Don’t sign for released value on a valuable piano without knowing it. Check the details in the FMCSA’s moving guidance and confirm coverage in writing. Local moves follow state rules, so ask.
- Check the mover’s USDOT number for interstate moves in the FMCSA database.
- Photograph the piano before the move, including the finish and legs.
- Measure the route. Door widths, hallway turns and stair turns decide how hard the job is. Movers price the hard parts.
Storage and climate
Pianos are made of wood, felt and steel under tension, so they react to temperature and humidity. Keep one in a room that stays steady, roughly 40–50% relative humidity, away from exterior walls, windows and heating vents. Never store a piano in a garage, attic or damp basement for long. If you need storage between homes, pay for climate control. How to store a piano.
After the move
A piano that survived the move perfectly will still drift out of tune as it adjusts to the new room. Let it settle for about 2–4 weeks, then book a tuning (roughly $100–$250 in 2026). If it’s badly out of pitch after a long time in storage, a technician may need a pitch raise first. Tuning after a move.
And if you’re deciding whether the move is worth it at all, see move, sell or donate?
Never move a grand yourself.
An upright on the flat, maybe. A grand, or anything on stairs, is a job for a crew with a piano board.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a piano?
For a local move with no stairs, roughly $250–$600 for an upright and $500–$1,200 for a grand (2026 ballparks). Each flight of stairs adds about $50–$150, and long-distance moves run from about $500 to several thousand dollars. See the full cost guide or the cost calculator.
Can regular movers move a piano?
Some can, many shouldn't. A general mover without a piano board, a proper dolly and a crew that has done it before is how pianos, floors and backs get damaged. Ask how many pianos they move a month and look for reviews that mention piano moving. How to tell.
How much do piano movers charge for stairs?
Usually about $50–$150 per flight, or about $5–$15 per step, charged at each end of the move. A long exterior staircase or a turning stairwell can cost more than the move itself, so count every step when you ask for a quote. Pianos and stairs.
Can you move a piano yourself?
A small upright on a flat, short route with 3–4 strong helpers, a piano dolly and straps: possibly. A grand, any piano on stairs, or a heavy old upright: no. The savings are small next to the risk to the piano, the house and your back. Moving an upright.
How long after moving should a piano be tuned?
Wait about 2–4 weeks so the piano adjusts to the new room's temperature and humidity, then tune it. Tuning sooner usually means tuning again. Tuning after a move.
Do piano movers disassemble grand pianos?
Yes. The crew takes off the lid, music desk and pedal lyre, tips the piano onto its straight side on a padded piano board, removes the legs, and straps it for the dolly. They reassemble it in the new room. Moving a grand.
Is it cheaper to move or sell a piano?
For many older uprights, the move costs more than the piano would sell for, but that isn't the only question: a good piano costs far more to replace than to move. Have a technician assess it if you're unsure. Move, sell or donate?
Do you tip piano movers?
It's common but not required. Around $20–$40 per mover for a short local job is a typical custom, more for stairs or a long day. Tipping piano movers.