Hard Body Haulers
  • Hire Moving Help
  • Packing Help
  • Piano Movers
    • Long Distance
  • Contact Us
    • Areas We Service
    • Moving Tips >
      • Studio Apartments In Cleveland
      • Estimate Your Move

Blog

How much does it cost to move a piano long distance?

9/18/2021

 
Baby Grand Piano On A Piano Board
Moving a piano requires extreme delicacy. Pianos are not only filled with thousands of moving parts, but are also super heavy, awkward, and hardly  have any good places to hold on to it when moving it. This is the reason why moving a piano can be so expensive. In our article, we’ll analyze all the various components involved with the price and process of moving a piano from one place to another.

​

​

Table of Contents

  • Estimated Cost
    • Piano Moving Cost By Type
    • Piano Moving Cost By Size
    • Piano Moving Cost Calculator
    • What Does A Piano Mover Cost?
    • Other Potential Cost​
  • What Affects the Service Cost of Moving a Piano?
    • ​​Size and Weight
    • ​Distance
    • Storage
    • Difficult Circumstances
    • Special Circumstances
  • How Do Piano Movers Charge?
  • What Equipment Is Required To Move A Piano?
  • FAQs
    • How Much Does Piano Tuning Cost?​​
    • How Much Should I Tip?
  • How To Hire Professional Piano Movers
  • Piano Movers Near Me

The Estimated Cost Of Moving A Piano

When it comes to moving pianos, the type of piano you have is a big determining factor in the cost of moving a piano. Upright and Grand pianos take different tools and procedures to safely move and the cost will reflect these differences. Another example could be, transporting an upright piano across a local area can cost as little as $100 to approximately  $250 depending on if whether or not stairs are involved. Moving a grand piano long-distance typically costs an estimated $3 per mile plus a $50 base rate with most people spending an average of $1,050. Prices typically increase $40 to $100 per each flight of stairs.

​
Average Cost (Nationally)
$185
Minimum Cost
$100
Maximum Cost
$800
Average Range
$185-$260

Piano Moving Cost By Type

Pianos may require different types of equipment and handling procedures depending on the style of piano you have. Therefore, the costs will vary significantly. Baby grand and grand pianos will require more manpower and equipment, so they typically cost more to move than upright pianos. The physical differences between an upright piano and a grand piano can also lead to variations in the differences in pricing as more or less padding, more moving blankets, more employees, and larger crating materials are used. Prices are typically quoted based on type and size of piano.
The prices below are for local average-sized pianos being moved from a first or second floor:

​
Type Of Piano
Cost To Move
Spinet Or Console Pianos
$100-$310
Studio Pianos
$100-$250
Upright Pianos
$150-$290
Baby Grand Pianos
$250-$350
Grand Pianos
​$350-$450
Concert Grand Pianos
$450 and up

Piano Moving Cost By Size

​Here are the average local piano moving costs by piano size:
Type Of Piano
Cost To Move
Size
Upright Pianos
$135-$160
up to 47" (tall)
48"
Grand Pianos
$185
$210
$310
$425
$210-$395
$210-$395
​​~6'
~7'
~8'
~9'
Square
Pedestal
Organs
​$135-$310
​Spinet
Console
​
Baby Grand Pianos
$250-$350
Grand Pianos
$185
$210
$310
$425
$210-$395
$210-$395
​~6'
~7'
~8'
~9'
Square
Pedestal

Piano Moving Cost Calculator

In a perfect world, moving a piano from A to Z will occur with no obstacles in between. However, its best to plan for some sort of hiccup. Pianos are typically housed in rooms inside of homes. In most cases, pianos must be moved up and down hallways. Corners must be turned into other hallways, and all of those moves can contribute to the cost of moving a piano. There are even times when pianos must be moved up and down staircases, or out of storage units. Each obstacle can add to the cost of piano moving. 

​
Item
Average Cost
​Base Rate
$50
Cost Per Mile
​$1.20 – $1.50 (local)
$2.00 – $10.00 (long distance)
Cost per fight of stairs
$40 – $100
Cost per stairway turn
$60 – $80
Hardships
(steep driveway, gravel road)
$40 – $240 each
​Insurance$40 – $240 each
​Free up to $5,000
$15 per $1,000 of coverage over $5,000
Storage
$60 per month
Rush Fee
​$300 (local)
$400 – $700 (long distance)
​Reschedule or cancellation fee
​$100 – $400.00

What Does A Piano Tuner Cost?

Hiring a piano tuner after moving your piano is a must and should be considered a necessary expense for any serious pianist. Internal mechanisms inside a piano may get a little bit loosened while traveling from one location to the next. The median cost of hiring a piano tuner is $100 an hour and you can anticipate it taking at least one and a half hours to tune a piano correctly
​

Other Potential Cost

If you have a large piano or require crating for long distance shipping, additional costs will apply.

​
Additional Fees
Cost
Player Piano Fee
$40
  • Grand Piano Crating Fees​
  • Grand Pianos 6' to 8' feet
  • Grand Pianos Larger than 8' feet
  • $800 ($1200​ for heat treated wood)
  • $125 – $200 (local) $300+ (long distance)
  • $200–$400 (local) $400–$600 (long distance)
Climate Controlled Transportation
$1,000 and up
​Fuel Surcharge (long distance)
$100 for moves under 200 miles
​$250 for moves over 200 miles

​What Affects the Service Cost of Moving a Piano?

Size and Weight 
In general, a small upright piano is going to be cheaper to move than a grand piano because it takes fewer movers to lift and carry it. Pianos weighing upwards of 1,000 lbs. will require more manpower and equipment to properly move it. Therefore, on average, an upright piano will cost less to move than a grand piano. Grand pianos are heavier to lift, harder to handle, occupy more space, and generally require special equipment like a piano board and heavy duty dollies and straps. 

Distance 
Piano movers have invested in specially-equipped trucks with ramps, hydraulic lifts gates, and heavy duty straps to secure the piano properly during transport. In general, the longer the distance, the more it will cost.
Professional piano movers will charge a base travel rate of $50 and then add the additional mileage your piano has to travel as part of their fee. The average is $1.20–$2.50 per mile for a local move. Long distance moves charge from $2–$10 a mile with an average of $2.75 per mile. Moving a piano locally can cost between $200–$600. Moving long distance can run from $450–$2,000. Prices depend on the type of piano you have and its weight and size.

Storage
Sometimes people may need to store a piano for a period of time, and depending on your piano moving company, that timeframe may not always be included in the moving price. You might have to pay $50–$75/month to keep it in a humidity-controlled unit of 38% and 52% and a long-term temperature range between 50° and 70° F.
Difficult Circumstances
A steep driveway, a gravel road where the truck must park, spiral staircases, steps, crane lifts, hilly terrain and more all contribute to a higher cost. You can expect to pay around $40–$240 per each problematic turn.[1]
Moving a piano up or downstairs is very difficult. It requires 2–3 strong people with the correct equipment. Some moving companies will charge by the number of stairs between your home and their truck. Piano movers charge $2–$24 per step (average $5) or $40–$100 per staircase. If you live on the fifth floor of an apartment with no freight elevator, those five flights of stairs will add significantly to your bill. For example, 20 steps per floor x 4 floors at $5 per step = $400 additional cost
​
Special Cost Factors
  • Expedited Service – If you have a rush job, this can cost more. Most of us try to plan these things, but emergencies do occur. It might cost double or triple the regular price for this service.
  • No-show or last-minute cancellation – If no one is at home when the piano movers arrive, they may very well charge you a fee for this. $100–$400
  • Additional Items – A piano bench moved with the piano might not be included in the moving quote. If not, it (and additional items) might cost $1 per pound or $7 per cubic foot, with a $20 minimum on each.[2]
  • Piano Removal and Disposal – When throwing away or getting rid of your piano costs will be much cheaper. You can expect junk removal prices for piano removal to be around $50 to $100.

How Do Piano Movers Charge?

Because there are so many different types of pianos and moving situations, there is a fee structure. Most companies start with a base rate of at least $50 plus $1.50 to $4.00 per mile, then the additional costs of stairs and hardships. After that, the variables come into play—the weight of the piano, its size, and its location. Add those factors to its destination and the total price comes out of that equation. There are two ways charges are figured:
  • Hourly – most general moving companies will charge the hourly rate, and many have minimums; for instance, a 3-hour minimum starts your bill at $150.
  • Flat Rate – companies specializing in moving pianos will most often quote a flat rate. Piano moving specialists have done this long enough that they can figure the cost of moving your piano at a flat rate fee once they factor in all the additional features of your piano and move

​

​
Hire Piano Movers Today

What Equipment Is Required To Move A Piano?

To safely move a piano, special moving equipment is may be required. Havin  the appropriate equipment to do the job keeps both the movers and the piano safe while moving it. The following list is some of the equipment that's necessary to safely move a piano:
  • Heavy Duty Platform Dolly: $125
  • Lifting Straps: $25
  • Ratchet Straps: $25
  • Piano Board: $125
  • Padding Blankets: $70
  • Truck with a ramp/liftgate $150
For the more difficult piano moves other special equipment such as pullies and cranes may be needed and  the start cost for those thing is about $500.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Piano Tuning Cost?
​The cost of a hiring a professional piano tuner should be considered an necessary evil after having it moved to its new location. The average cost of having a piano tuned hovers around $100/hour. It can generally take about one and a half hours to thoroughly tune your piano. Also consider that the differences in temperature and humidity in your piano's new location may be drastically different than it's last. Give your instrument some time to adjust to its new environment before making reservations with the piano tuner.

How Much Should I Tip My Movers?
​Deciding how much to tip your movers isn’t as simple as calculating a 20% gratuity on top of your final bill. Unlike other tip worthy professions like waiting tables or valet parking, the cost of hiring piano movers can range from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand. Therefore, Its normal for movers to get tipped at 5-10% of the bill. This usually averages out to about $20–$40 per mover. 

How To Hire Professional Piano Movers?

  • Get a couple of quotes from reputable piano movers.
  • Check the moving companies' ratings on Google, Facebook, Yelp, or any other platform where solid reviews can be found. 
  • Make sure you provide your piano movers as much background information as possible when it comes to potential obstacles they could face while moving your piano from one home to the next. 
  • Your movers should provide you with a receipt or Bill of Lading for the service. Make sure you receive one.  
  • The moving company you select should also have insurance. Most professional movers will have three different kinds of insurance and offer up to $5,000 for free with their services.
  • Commercial automotive insurance – this covers moving your piano to its new location.
  • Cargo insurance – this covers the physical piano in the event it suffers any damage during the trip.
  • Injury/Property – this coverage is specifically the workers who will be in charge of moving your piano, in case they are injured or in the event the damage occurs to your property while moving the piano.
​Whether you own a piano for decoration or you're a professional pianist preparing your next concert, you've likely invested a lot of money into your piano. When you need to have your piano moved to a new location, it is important to choose someone that knows what they are doing.  The condition of your piano depends on it. Take the time to get a few quotes, or ask for referrals from friends and neighbors. To get a free estimate or to schedule piano movers, visit the Hard Body Haulers Corporation and book professional piano movers today!
Hire Piano Movers Today

Comments are closed.

    This section will not be visible in live published website. Below are your current settings:


    Current Number Of Columns are = 3

    Expand Posts Area = 1

    Gap/Space Between Posts = 14px

    Blog Post Style = card

    Use of custom card colors instead of default colors = 1

    Blog Post Card Background Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Shadow Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Border Color = current color

    Publish the website and visit your blog page to see the results

    RSS Feed

Let Us Do The Heavy Lifting

833-991-1212

Services

Moving Labor Help
Long Distance Moving
Piano Movers
​Packing Services

Careers

Become a mover

About

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
FAQs

Contact

Customer Support
Moving Tips
​
Sitemap
Copyright © 2021 Hard Body Haulers Inc. All rights reserved

  • Hire Moving Help
  • Packing Help
  • Piano Movers
    • Long Distance
  • Contact Us
    • Areas We Service
    • Moving Tips >
      • Studio Apartments In Cleveland
      • Estimate Your Move