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
Moving any type of piano is going to take effort, but there are different tips to know depending on what type of piano you have.
How to Move a Grand Piano
A grand piano is probably the most difficult kind of piano to move. It is the largest of the three types of pianos and is very expensive. When moving a grand piano, first make sure that the top lid is closed and secured . Second, disassemble any parts that can be removed . This makes it so that there is one less thing to worry about. Pack and label the box with the piano parts in it. Remove the legs from your grand piano , but make sure that there are helpers lifting the other side of the piano to prevent it from falling and striking the ground. Securely wrap up all of the disassembled pieces...
How To Move a Baby Grand Piano
While smaller than a grand piano, a baby grand still is large enough to require several people in order to move it safely. Use a similar moving plan to that of moving a grand piano. Remove the pedals and wrap them, wrap the lid with soft blankets and protect the keys. Enlist the help of several others and carefully move your baby grand piano onto the piano board or dolly.
How To Move an Upright Piano
Upright pianos are very difficult to move as they can’t be disassembled and are extremely heavy. Make sure that you protect the keys as well as the pedals and securely wrap everything. Use tape and strong cables or rope to secure the wrapping. Have your team of helpers work together to get the upright piano on to the dolly and have several people support the piano as you move it.
How To Move a Piano Up Stairs, Down Stairs, or Across the Room
Regardless of how far you are moving your piano, you will need a group of others to help you make the move. Moving a piano upstairs or downstairs requires the most effort and is generally the most difficult kind of piano movement to do — usually requiring 5 or so people to get the job done.
How to Move a Piano Up Stairs
If you are moving a piano upstairs, you will need 3 strong people going behind the piano and 2 people going up before the piano guiding it.
How to Move a Piano Down Stairs
Moving a piano downstairs will require several strong people guiding the piano down the stairs and supporting it from falling. You will need 3-4 people going ahead of the piano (depending on how heavy it is) and 2 people behind the piano to guide it downstairs.
How to Move Across the Room
Moving a piano across the room also requires 3 to 5 people, although it isn’t nearly as difficult as moving your piano upstairs or downstairs. Still, be careful to lift with your legs not you back.
Hire Professionals: How Much Does It Cost To Move A Piano?
While employing the services of professional piano mover might seem unnecessary, it will make your piano move much easier and ensures that your piano reaches its destination safely. You won’t need to worry about finding all the right equipment or rounding up enough friends to help you. Professional piano movers come equipped with everything needed to safely move your piano. The cost of moving your piano will depend on a variety of factors, how much does your piano weigh? How many movers will you need in order to complete the move? Where are you having your piano moved to? These are all things...
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Here at On The Go Moving , we offer moving services to residents of Seattle and the surrounding areas. Whether you need help with a big or small move, our professional movers are here to help. We provide a variety of different moving services to accommodate the needs of our clients and would be happy to help you find the perfect moving day package for your upcoming move. To learn more about our different moving plans or to book some movers to help you, contact On The Go Moving today to speak with one of our moving experts. Moving In Together: 4 Important Questions Before You Move Moving in...
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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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