The cost to ship furniture can range from $300 to $4,500 per piece, depending on the size and weight of the item and where it’s being shipped to. For a cross-country move, which companies consider any distance over 400 miles, it will cost $300 to $800 per piece to ship furniture. For an international move, shipping will cost around $1,000 to $4,500 per piece.
If you need to move heavy furniture inside your house, like a grandfather clock, consider hiring professional movers for this service, too. Many moving companies advertise in-house moving services, including transporting heavy items to different rooms or floors of the house. It’s best to hire professional movers for this task to avoid damaging parts of your home, like narrow stairways or flooring, or the item during the process.
There are several effective ways to save money when hiring a moving company, primarily by handling some tasks yourself and being strategic with scheduling. Consider these methods:
Pack Your Own Belongings: You can significantly reduce costs by packing and protecting your items yourself. This includes wrapping delicate items, organizing them into boxes, and taping the boxes closed. You can use towels, clothes, and suitcases to pack belongings and protect breakables.
Provide Your Own Materials: Source free packing materials from friends and family, or reuse boxes and bubble wrap from a previous move.
Schedule Strategically: Book your move well in advance. Rates are often lower if you schedule your move on a weekday during the off-season, which typically runs from October through April.
Compare Quotes: Get moving quotes from at least three professional movers in your area. This allows you to compare services and choose the best value.
Ask for Discounts: Inquire if the moving company offers any special coupons or deals.
Purchase Moving Insurance: Protect your investment by purchasing moving insurance, especially for expensive or antique belongings.
Divide the Labor: While you can save money by packing, it's wise to leave the more dangerous and physically demanding work—like loading, unloading, and moving heavy furniture—to the professionals.
It’s rare to rent moving straps alone. Typically, you buy them outright. However, if you rent moving equipment, like loading tools or a furniture dolly, from a local or big-box business, they may come with moving straps for you to use.
Yes, moving a piano often causes it to become out of tune, even if you're not moving the piano very far. One reason is that any temperature and humidity changes can affect a piano's tuning. Additionally, the bumps and jolts from a moving truck usually push a piano out of tune.
However, don't jump right to tuning it once the piano gets to your new home. Instead, it's best to wait at least two weeks for the instrument to acclimate to its new environment. After a couple weeks, you'll get an idea of what the piano will really sound like in its new home, at which point you can call a piano technician to get it properly tuned.
The Hebron, ND homeowners’ guide to professional moving service pianos
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Planning a relocation? Learn everything you need to know about piano moving, including average costs, preparation steps, and how to hire the right local pro.
Professional piano movers help ensure the safe, smooth transportation of your instrument. Before you hire, it’s important to check qualifications, review references, and get a contract in writing. Find out the steps for hiring a piano mover here.