Reference guide
What should a piano move cost?
The US average piano move is $294, with most jobs falling between $194–$448. The decisive factor is usually access: stairs and crane work change the crew and equipment a job needs.
Cost calculator
A range you can inspect.
Four inputs. No email, phone number or lead form.
Estimated range for this job
$150–$550
Upright, up to 10 miles, flat access, no crane.
How we calculate it
- Start with the published base band for the piano type and distance.
- Add the per-flight stair band for each flight of stairs.
- Add the crane range only when a crane or hoist is required.
- Show a range: low end plus low end, high end plus high end. That is honest about what the underlying data can tell you.
The figures are transaction-derived pricing and published add-on ranges recorded in the research behind this directory. We do not move pianos and we are not paid by the movers listed here.
The full price table
| Piano type | Local move (10–50 mi) | Long distance (100–200 mi) | Per flight of stairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright (any height) | $150–$550 | $600–$2,500 | $40–$100 |
| Baby grand (under 5 ft 7 in) | $250–$800 | $1,000–$4,500 | $75–$200 |
| Grand (5 ft 7 in to under 7 ft) | $250–$1,200 | $1,000–$4,500 | $75–$200 |
| Concert grand (7 ft and over) | $500–$1,200 | $1,000–$4,500 | $75–$200 |
| Extra | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Crane or hoist | $500–$1,700 | No stair or lift route is wide enough. |
| Custom crating | $700–$1,200 | Long-distance or shipped moves, and most insured grand moves. |
| Storage | about $100 per month | Gaps between move-out and move-in. Ask about climate control. |
| Tuning after the move | $100–$300 | Usually needed after the piano settles for two to four weeks. |
Reading a quote without getting caught
Ask for the stair count and crane decision to be written into the quote before you book. Ask whether the quote includes stairs, crating, tolls and the first tuning. Finally, understand the liability level before you sign: basic released value is $0.60 per pound, not insurance.