How to Move a Piano

Hire professional piano movers. A local move costs about $150 to $650 (uprights lower, grands higher), and a long-distance move runs roughly $450 to $2,300. Stairs add $100 to $300 per flight. Because an acoustic piano weighs hundreds of pounds and is easily damaged, this is not a do-it-yourself job.

Piano moving costs (2026)

Move	Typical cost	Notes
Upright / spinet, local	$100 - $350	Local flat rate, typically under 50 miles, one flight of stairs.
Grand / baby grand, local	$250 - $650	Requires a piano board, straps, and a skilled crew.
Upright, long-distance	$450 - $1,000	Priced by distance and weight; part of a larger load costs less.
Grand, long-distance	$1,000 - $2,300	Specialized handling and crating over long routes.

What changes the price

Movers price a piano job on size and type (grands need more crew and equipment than uprights), distance (local flat rate versus long-distance by weight and miles), and access. Stairs, narrow doorways, tight corners, and long carries all add cost, and a crane may be needed for an upper-floor apartment with no elevator. When you request a quote, describe the stairs, doorways, and parking at both ends.

Why it is a professional job

A piano is heavy and top-heavy, and its value lives in a delicate action and soundboard. Professional movers bring a piano board or skid, straps, a dolly, padding, and the training to balance the load safely, plus insurance if something goes wrong. Attempting it with friends risks serious injury and expensive damage. If you are weighing a move against buying, remember that a heavy acoustic carries this cost every time it relocates, while a digital piano does not.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move a piano?

A local move by professionals is about $150 to $650, with uprights near the low end and grands higher. Long-distance moves run roughly $450 to $2,300 depending on size and distance. Stairs, tight turns, and difficult access add to the price.

Do stairs cost extra?

Yes. Each flight of stairs typically adds about $100 to $300, depending on the piano type and the stair configuration. Movers will ask about stairs and doorways when they quote, so measure ahead of time.

Why not just move it myself?

An acoustic piano weighs 300 to 1,000-plus pounds, is top-heavy, and is easy to damage or drop. Professional piano movers carry the right equipment and insurance. The cost is small next to a back injury or a cracked soundboard. See how much a piano weighs for why this matters.

Will the piano need tuning after a move?

Usually yes. Moving jostles the instrument and changes its environment, so plan a tuning a few weeks after it settles in the new room, once it has adjusted to the humidity there.

Sources & notes

Figures are typical United States ranges as of 2026 from public moving-cost guides. Actual quotes depend on distance, access, and the piano’s size and type. Get a written quote from a specialist piano mover, not a general household mover.