Moving a piano safely requires at least 3–4 people, a piano dolly, moving straps, and heavy padding, and even then, it's one of the highest-risk items to move without professional help. Upright pianos weigh 400–800 lbs; grand pianos weigh 500–1,200 lbs. A single mistake can result in serious injury or irreparable damage to an instrument worth thousands of dollars. For most homeowners, hiring professional piano movers is the safest and most cost-effective choice.
How to Move a Grand, Baby Grand, and Upright Piano
How to Move a Grand Piano
How To Move a Baby Grand Piano
How To Move an Upright Piano
How To Move a Piano Up Stairs, Down Stairs, or Across the Room
How to Move a Piano Up Stairs
How to Move a Piano Down Stairs
How to Move Across the Room
Hire Professionals: How Much Does It Cost To Move A Piano?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you move a piano safely?
To move a piano safely: (1) hire at least 3–4 strong people, (2) use a piano dolly rated for the piano's weight, (3) wrap the piano completely in moving blankets secured with stretch wrap, (4) lock the keyboard lid, (5) remove legs from grand pianos before moving, (6) use moving straps to secure the piano on the dolly, (7) move slowly and communicate constantly with your team.
How much does it cost to hire piano movers?
Professional piano moving costs $150–$300 for a local move within the same building or nearby. Moving a piano to a new home within the same city costs $250–$600. Long-distance piano moves cost $700–$2,000+. Grand pianos cost more than uprights due to the disassembly required. On The Go Moving handles piano moves in the Seattle/Eastside area.
Can I move a piano myself?
You can move an upright piano yourself with 3–4 strong helpers, a piano dolly, and proper padding, but it carries significant risk of injury and instrument damage. Grand pianos should almost always be moved by professionals, as they require leg removal and specialized equipment. The cost of professional piano movers is usually less than the cost of repairing a damaged piano.
How do you move a piano up or down stairs?
Moving a piano on stairs requires a piano board (a heavy-duty dolly with straps), at least 4 people, and careful coordination. The piano is strapped to the board and tilted back slightly, with one person at each corner and one person guiding from the front. This is one of the most dangerous moving tasks, professional movers are strongly recommended for any piano move involving stairs.
Does moving a piano affect its tuning?
Yes, moving a piano almost always requires retuning afterward. Changes in temperature, humidity, and the physical stress of the move cause the strings to shift. Plan to have your piano tuned 2–4 weeks after the move (not immediately, give it time to acclimate to its new environment first).
What equipment is needed to move a piano?
Essential piano moving equipment: a piano dolly (4-wheel dolly rated for 800+ lbs), heavy-duty moving straps, thick moving blankets (at least 4–6), stretch wrap to secure the blankets, furniture sliders for hardwood floors, and ramp boards for loading into the truck. For grand pianos, you also need a piano skid board and tools to remove the legs.

Jason founded On The Go Moving & Storage in Redmond, WA in 2009 and has personally overseen more than 25,000 moves across Greater Seattle. He holds a Washington State Household Goods Mover license (HG-064180) and writes from direct, hands-on experience in the moving industry.
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