What’s The Cost To Move A Piano?

Most musicians get big and strong from gigging because you’re always humping something. From amplifiers to keyboards to PA gear, when you’re first starting out you learn to grow muscles fast. That’s nothing compared to moving a piano though. They’re big and bulky and I don’t think there’s such a thing as an easy move.

There is a special dolly that can make it easier and I know about this from being a Hammond B-3 player during my playing days and having to lug the thing (plus a Leslie) around everywhere. The dolly made it somewhat easy to move with just two people, especially after you got the hang of it, but required 4 when it came to moving it up and down stairs. It was a miracle that no one was ever seriously hurt.

There was one time where moving the organ almost was way more than we bargained for. We were booked to play in a brand new Mafia-owned bar in Bayonne, NJ. As was typical of the day, the stage was behind the bar, except there was no way to get behind the bar. You had to hop over the top. We were all afraid that we’d end up in the river in cement shoes that night as we lifted the 425 lb. organ over the expensive bar being careful not to touch it while being closely watched by some seriously scary people. Could never have done it without that dolly.

But back to pianos – moving one is not for the inexperienced so it’s best to call in the pros. Liam Duncan wrote a great article about this on Music Industry How To (you should read it for the details), and this is what he found:

• Moving an upright piano locally costs between $150 to $400
• Moving a grand piano locally costs between $250 and $2,000
• Moving an upright over long distances brings a price that starts at $500
• Expect to pay at least $1,000 if you want to move your grand piano a long distance

Of course, the size and weight of the piano factors in on the price, as does if there are any steps or obstacles involved. Maybe there are special packing considerations, and you’ll probably want insurance. Maybe the only way it’s coming out of the building is with a crane. And the longer the distance it’s traveling, the more you pay.

That’s a lot of money, especially for a piano that might cost more to move than it’s worth. Many pianos are family heirlooms and have a lot of sentimental value that make the expense worth it for the owners.

That’s never a problem as long as you’re prepared to open up your checkbook. Another tip, try not to watch when they’re moving it. You’ll feel better about it later.

---