How to Move a Piano (Safely)

A piano is the heaviest, most valuable thing in most homes, and the most dangerous to move wrong. Here's how it's done properly.

Why you shouldn't DIY a piano move

It's hundreds of pounds of cast iron and wood with the weight high and uneven. On stairs, a piano that gets away from you can cause crushing injuries and thousands in damage. Insured specialty movers carry the right equipment — and the liability coverage — so your instrument and your home are protected.

The piano-moving process

• Measure the path — doorways, hallways, stairs, and turns, plus the truck ramp.
• Prep the instrument — on grands, remove and wrap the legs and pedal lyre; lock the keyboard lid.
• Pad and wrap — protect the finish with moving blankets and shrink wrap.
• Board it — tip a grand onto a padded skid board; dolly an upright with a piano board and straps.
• Move it — a crew sized to the weight navigates stairs and tight turns slowly and in control.
• Reassemble — reattach legs and pedals and position the piano in its new home.

Stairs, apartments, and tight spaces

Stairs are the riskiest part and the biggest cost factor. Pros use ramps, extra crew, and careful coordination. Tell your mover the exact path — number of steps, landings, and doorway widths — so they bring the right equipment the first time.

What it costs

Stairs add a per-step charge that's quoted up front, and long-distance piano moves are priced separately. Every move is fully insured.