Who Can Move a Piano? Everything You Need to Know About Professional Piano Movers

Moving your antique grand piano to a new home, or even just a different room, isn’t like moving any old piece of furniture—there are keys, pedals, wires, and other components that can be very expensive (or even impossible) to replace. It can also weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds, so hiring a professional who can move a piano is the best way to protect yourself and your beloved instrument.

Finding the right mover involves verifying qualifications, comparing costs, and choosing the best guarantee, but with a little know-how, you’ll be able to find the right pro for you in no time.

Why You Should Hire a Professional Piano Mover

Professional piano movers offer safe and efficient transportation. Their specialized equipment and focus on safety provide piano owners with peace of mind regarding their treasured instrument. 

Experience and Expertise 

Because pianos are delicate and heavy instruments, moving them is tricky if you lack the skills and expertise. Professional movers know how to disassemble, transport, and reassemble pianos without causing damage.

Safety

Moving a piano can be hazardous to both the piano and the individuals attempting to move it. Pianos weigh anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand pounds. Trying to move a piano yourself without understanding the proper techniques can lead to accidents, injuries, and damage to your property, the piano, and you.

Proper Moving Equipment

Pros use specialty equipment to move pianos safely, including heavy-duty straps, dollies, ramps, and padding to protect the piano during transport. They also have vehicles with lift gates powered by hydraulic systems that gently lift instruments into trucks for safe travel.

Maneuverability

If you’ve ever seen the episode of Friends where Ross tries to move a sofa, you can imagine the horror of pivoting a piano through narrow doorways, up or down stairs, or around tight corners. Professional movers are skilled at navigating these challenges without causing damage.

Insurance Coverage

Pianos are sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and physical shocks. Professional movers know how to protect pianos from these factors during the move. They also have insurance if any damage occurs, providing peace of mind to the piano owner.

Customized Solutions

Imagine you can only move your piano through a window on the fourth floor. Professional piano movers assess the specific requirements of each piano move and develop customized solutions to ensure a successful relocation—even if a crane is needed. They may also offer storage options.

Time Efficiency

Professional piano movers work efficiently, saving you time and effort. They can quickly complete the move and ensure your piano is set up and ready to play at its new location.

Keep in mind that efficiency comes at a price. The cost of moving a piano depends on different factors, including type, size, and how they need to hoist the instrument. You can expect to pay between $260 and $580 on average for local piano transport.

How to Hire a Professional Piano Mover

Finding and choosing the right mover can be challenging, so pay attention to the details. Before settling on a mover specializing in piano transportation, double- and even triple-check their track record and paperwork. It is important to ensure they are legally compliant.

1. Look for Referrals of Piano Movers in Your Area

Services like Angi can be incredibly valuable when looking at referrals for local moving companies. Angi provides information and customer feedback to help you make an informed decision. By reading reviews and ratings from previous customers, you can gain insights into the quality of service, professionalism, and reliability of various movers. Attention to positive and negative reviews can help you identify recurring patterns or issues.

Additionally, it's a good practice to ask for referrals from the movers themselves. Reputable piano movers should be more than willing to provide you with a list of references or past clients who can vouch for their services. Speaking with these referrals can give you firsthand insights into the mover's performance, reliability, and professionalism. It's an assurance that you're making the right choice when entrusting your valuable piano to their care.

2. Check Credentials

When you find potential candidates, ask for their license number and insurance details to confirm their credentials. Verify their license with your state's regulatory authority for moving companies. Request a certificate of insurance, which should include coverage for liability and cargo. Ensure that the insurance coverage meets your requirements and is current and valid. You can also check online databases or contact relevant regulatory agencies for confirmation.

3. Ask Questions

Don't hesitate to ask questions during initial interactions with potential movers. Inquire about their experience, the equipment they use, their safety measures, and their process for handling pianos. A professional mover should be able to address all your concerns. Remember to ask more questions about insurance coverage. You want to understand the extent of their coverage and consider additional insurance if necessary.

4. Obtain Multiple Quotes

Once you narrowed your choices, contact the piano moving companies and request detailed quotes. Be prepared to provide information about your piano, including its type, size, weight, and pickup and delivery locations. Compare the quotes to understand the pricing and services offered.

5. Schedule an On-Site Assessment

Reputable piano movers will often request an on-site visit for a more accurate quote and assessment of the move. This allows the movers to inspect the piano, evaluate the surroundings, and plan for potential challenges. It’s also your opportunity to have a more in-depth interview with the mover before making final decisions.

6. Review and Sign the Contract

Once you've chosen a piano mover, carefully review the contract. Ensure details, including the services, timeline, and cost, are clearly outlined. Ask for clarification on any terms or conditions you don't understand. 

7. Prepare for Transport

Ensure your piano is ready for the move. Remove loose or fragile items from the piano's surface, and secure the keyboard cover. It helps protect your piano and makes the moving process more efficient.

Additionally, communicate with the piano movers leading up to the moving day. Confirm the schedule, addresses, and any specific instructions. Being on the same page ensures a smoother experience.

Protect Yourself and Your Piano

Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, and you’ll be enjoying your piano in a new space in no time. But it never hurts to prepare for the worst. 

Keep Records of Your Piano Moving Project

Before moving day, conduct a complete review of your piano, noting any cosmetic damages or issues with functionality. Take lots of pictures and record yourself striking each key. This precaution will provide you with dated evidence if anything goes wrong during the move.

Next, be sure to oversee the project yourself. Don’t go overboard, but ensure the movers use the proper equipment and care as promised.

Your piano is a valuable possession in more ways than one, which makes the cost to hire movers well worth it. Once your piano movers have safely delivered your instrument to its new home, conduct a full examination to ensure there isn’t any damage. If they delivered your piano with the care it deserves, be sure to leave the moving service a positive online review.

Know Your Rights and Avoid Mover Scams

While there are many reputable professional piano movers, there are a few bad apples within the moving industry, so keep an eye out for any red flags. Be aware of how to avoid the rare mover scam, which entails so-called movers charging double or triple their promised rate or driving off with your piano.

Be sure to check previous customer references and avoid paying in full upfront. If your movers arrive in unbranded trucks or attire, that can also be suspect. Trust your gut instincts and always put contract details in writing.

Audrey Bruno contributed to this article.