How Much Does a Piano Moving Company Cost? A 2026 Guide
A piano is one of the heaviest, most delicate, and most valuable things you will ever move, so it is smart to know the cost before you book. The good news is that professional piano moving is more affordable than most people expect, and the price follows a few clear rules.
Hiring a piano moving company typically costs $200 to $1,000 for a local move, with an average around $400. Moving an upright piano locally usually runs $200 to $500, while a grand or baby grand is closer to $400 to $1,500 because of its size and weight. Long-distance piano moves generally cost $1,000 to $2,500 or more. If your piano has to be lifted through a window by crane, hoisting can add $500 to $1,700. Below, we break down exactly what you are paying for.
Piano moving cost by type
The single biggest factor is the type of piano. Uprights are tall, narrow, and relatively manageable, while grands are heavy, awkwardly shaped, and often need partial disassembly. These are typical starting ranges for a local move (under about 50 km) on a ground floor or with easy access.
| Piano type | Typical local move | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Digital / electric piano | $150 to $400 | Lightest, fewest movers |
| Spinet / small upright | $150 to $350 | Compact and easier to carry |
| Upright piano | $200 to $500 | Heavier, needs a trained crew |
| Baby grand piano | $350 to $800 | Larger, often partly disassembled |
| Grand / concert grand | $500 to $1,500 | Heaviest, most movers and equipment |
A small upright might be handled safely by two movers, while a concert grand can need four or five professionals working together, which is the main reason the price climbs with size.
Why pianos cost more than regular furniture
It is fair to ask why a single instrument can cost as much to move as a small apartment. The answer is that a piano is not really furniture. An upright can weigh 300 to 800 pounds, and a grand 600 to 1,200 pounds, with all of that weight wrapped around fragile internal parts: the soundboard, strings, hammers, and action. Moving one safely takes a trained crew, proper rigging (skid boards, straps, dollies, ramps), and real technique, not just strong backs. You are paying for the skill and equipment that keep a valuable instrument, and your floors and doorways, from getting damaged. It is the same care our Montreal movers bring to every fragile, high-value item.
Extra costs that change your piano moving price
Most quotes start from a base price for the piano type, then adjust for the realities of your home. The most common add-ons:
| Add-on | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Stairs | $40 to $100 per flight (or $5 to $10 per step) |
| Second or third floor | About $100 or more extra |
| Partial disassembly (grand legs, pedals) | $80 to $150 |
| Hoisting or craning through a window or balcony | $500 to $1,700 |
| Crating for a long-distance or valuable piano | $700 to $1,200 |
| Post-move tuning (booked separately) | $100 to $300 |
| Short-term storage | $50 to $170 per month |
| Added insurance for a high-value piano | About $15 per $1,000 of value |
Stairs and access are the most common reason a quote goes up. A piano headed to a second or third floor walk-up, around a tight landing, or down a narrow Montreal hallway takes more time, more movers, and more care.
Hoisting and craning is the big one. When a piano simply will not fit through the door or up the staircase, the only safe way in or out is to lift it through a window or over a balcony with a crane. This is specialized work, which is why it carries the largest add-on.
Season matters too. Peak summer dates and weekends, and especially the July 1 moving rush in Quebec, run noticeably busier and pricier than a quiet weekday in the off-season.
How piano movers charge
Most piano specialists quote a flat rate for local moves, so you know the full price before move day. Some general movers fold a piano into an hourly household move instead, usually for an extra $75 to $150 for an upright, and more for a grand. Long-distance jobs are almost always a flat, all-in price based on distance and volume. Whichever model you are quoted, ask for the price in writing and confirm what is and is not included.
What should be included in the price
With a proper piano mover, the quote should cover the trained crew, the truck, and the rigging needed to protect your instrument: blankets, straps, a skid board, and dollies. Watch for companies that quote a low headline number and then add charges on the day for stairs, heavy lifting, or “extra” equipment you assumed was standard. Before you book, ask one simple question: is there anything that is not included in this price?
How to save on piano moving costs
- Move off-peak. A weekday in the off-season can cost noticeably less than a summer weekend or July 1.
- Clear the path. Remove doors, rugs, and furniture along the route so the crew is not slowed down or charged for obstacles.
- Bundle it. If you are moving your whole home, adding the piano to the same job is usually cheaper than booking it separately.
- Be accurate. Give the mover your piano’s type, size, and the access at both ends so the quote is right the first time, with no day-of surprises.
- Book early. Reserving 4 to 6 weeks ahead gives you better dates and rates, especially in summer.
Why the cheapest piano quote can cost you the most
A piano is the wrong place to shop on price alone. General movers will often say they can “handle” a piano, then show up without the right equipment or any idea how to take the legs off a grand. The result can be a scratched floor, a damaged instrument, or worse. And the standard coverage on a basic move can be as low as 60 cents per pound, so a 500-pound grand worth thousands might be covered for just a few hundred dollars if it is damaged.
A fair price from a company that moves pianos regularly, carries real insurance, and can crane the instrument when access is tight will almost always beat a lowball quote that ends in a repair bill.
Piano moving in Montreal: what to expect
Montreal adds a few wrinkles of its own. The city’s classic exterior staircases, spiral steps, and narrow triplex doorways are exactly the conditions that turn a simple piano move into a hoisting job. That is why it helps to work with a local Montreal moving company that can both carry and crane: when the stairs are too tight, we hoist the piano safely through a window or balcony instead. We quote every piano individually, so you get one clear, honest price for your exact instrument and your exact building, with no surprises on the day.
Frequently asked questions about piano moving costs
How much does it cost to move an upright piano?
Locally, an upright piano usually costs $200 to $500, depending on its size and the access at both ends. Stairs and upper floors can add to that.
How much does it cost to move a grand piano?
A baby grand typically runs $350 to $800 locally, and a full grand or concert grand $500 to $1,500, because they are heavier, often need partial disassembly, and require a larger crew.
How much does it cost to hoist a piano with a crane?
Hoisting or craning a piano through a window or balcony usually adds $500 to $1,700, depending on the building, the floor, and the size of the piano. It is the safest option when a piano cannot fit through the door or up the stairs.
Do piano movers charge extra for stairs?
Usually yes. Expect roughly $40 to $100 per flight, or $5 to $10 per step, with more for tight landings or upper floors.
Is it cheaper to move a piano myself?
It can look cheaper, but the risk is high. Pianos are heavy and fragile, and a drop can injure you or destroy the instrument. The cost of a professional move is small next to the value of the piano.
Does my piano move include insurance?
A reputable mover carries proper insurance, but basic coverage on a general move can be very low. For a valuable instrument, ask about added coverage based on its real value.
Should I tune my piano after moving it?
Yes, after a couple of weeks so it settles into the new room. Tuning is a separate service, usually $100 to $300.
Get a flat quote for your piano move
The only way to know your exact price is to tell us about your piano. Share the type and size, and the access at both your old and new address, and we will give you one clear, no-surprise quote, including hoisting if your stairs or doorways are too tight.
Prices in this guide are typical industry ranges for 2026 and are provided for general guidance. Your exact cost depends on your piano and your move, and is confirmed in your quote.