How to Move a Piano (And Why You Should Never Do It Yourself)

Uprights, baby grands, and spinets, each one is different.

A piano is the most dangerous item in any home move. Not because pianos are fragile, but because they are heavy in an uneven way that surprises people. An upright piano weighs 300-700 lbs with the weight concentrated in the upper portion. A baby grand weighs 500-1,200 lbs and cannot be moved upright at all. Every year, people are seriously injured trying to move pianos without the right technique. Here is what the right technique actually looks like.

• Types of pianos and what each one weighs
• Equipment you need to move a piano safely
• Step-by-step: how to move an upright piano
• Step-by-step: how to move a baby grand
• What piano moving costs and when to hire specialists

How to move a piano: the essential overview

Moving a piano requires at least 3 people, a piano board (a heavy-duty dolly designed for the purpose), moving straps, and moving blankets. Never attempt to move a piano with fewer than 3 people. The weight distribution, particularly on stairs, requires one person at each end and a spotter. Baby grands require a minimum of 4 people and must be transported on their side.

Piano types and weights: what you are actually dealing with

Equipment required for a piano move

• Piano board: a heavy-duty low-profile dolly with straps, designed specifically for piano weight distribution. Do not substitute a regular appliance dolly.
• Moving straps: at least 4 heavy-duty straps rated for 500+ lbs.
• Moving blankets: 4-6 thick moving blankets to protect the piano and surrounding furniture from contact damage.
• Ratchet straps: to secure the piano inside the truck. The piano should not move in transit.
• Protective gloves: piano lacquer and the crew's hands are both at risk without them.

How to move an upright piano: step by step

1. 1Wrap the piano in moving blankets and secure with stretch wrap. Cover the keyboard lid, the top, and all sides.
2. 2Position the piano board next to the piano. The board goes under the piano, not behind it.
3. 3Three people position: two on the heavy end (the keyboard side), one at the back.
4. 4Tip the piano onto the board. The piano tilts slightly backward onto the board, which then rolls. This requires a clear verbal count.
5. 5Strap the piano to the board with at least 2 straps around the body.
6. 6Roll the piano on the board to the truck. Keep the piano tilted toward the back, not forward.
7. 7For stairs: use the stair-walking method. Two movers support the heavy end, one mover guides from above. Move one step at a time with a coordinated count.
8. 8In the truck: position against the cab wall, strap in with ratchet straps at the top and bottom. The piano should not shift at all during transit.

How to move a baby grand piano

Baby grands cannot be moved upright. The legs are not designed to bear the weight of the piano body during movement. The process requires removing the legs, lowering the body onto a piano board on its side, and transporting it on its side with the curved edge up.

1. 1Remove the piano legs: they unscrew or bolt off. Set the hardware in a labeled bag taped to the leg.
2. 2Pad all surfaces of the piano body with moving blankets.
3. 3Position the piano board next to the piano body while it is still on the keyboard cabinet.
4. 4Four movers lower the piano body onto the board, curved side up. This requires clear communication: one person per corner.
5. 5Secure with straps and roll to the truck.
6. 6In the truck, the piano rides on its side with the curved edge up. Secure with ratchet straps.
7. 7At the destination, reverse the process: lower to the floor, remove from board, reattach legs.
8. 8Note: after a move, allow the piano to acclimate for 48-72 hours before tuning. Temperature and humidity changes affect the strings.

Piano moving costs: what to expect

Frequently asked questions

Can movers move a piano up stairs?

Yes, with the right crew and technique. Most upright pianos can be moved up or down stairs with 3 experienced movers and proper equipment. The key factors are staircase width (minimum 32 inches for most uprights), the number of landings and turns, and the piano weight. Tell us about the staircase when you book so we can staff appropriately.

Do I need to hire a piano specialist?

For upright pianos on single-story moves, an experienced moving crew handles it without specialist tools. For baby grands, grand pianos, or any piano requiring multiple flights of stairs or narrow passages, a piano specialist is worth the premium. They have equipment and experience that general movers do not.

Will moving damage my piano?

A properly executed piano move should not damage the instrument. The risks are cosmetic (scratches to the lacquer if not padded) and structural only if the piano is dropped or improperly weighted. After any move, have the piano tuned by a technician at least 2 weeks after it has acclimated to the new room's temperature and humidity.

How long does it take to move a piano?

An upright piano on a single-story with good access takes 30-45 minutes to load and 20-30 minutes to unload. A baby grand with staircase access can take 60-90 minutes for loading alone. Budget significant time for any piano move and do not schedule it as the last item on a tight moving day.