How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano?

Moving a piano usually costs between $200 and $1,000 for a local move, with a national average of about $400, according to Angi. Long-distance piano moves run higher, roughly $450 to $2,300, based on HomeGuide data. Where your move lands in that range comes down to the type of piano, the stairs on each end, and the distance.

This guide breaks down what each piano type typically costs to move, what pushes the price up, and how to get a quote you can actually plan around. If you are moving a piano in Northern Virginia, our piano movers can give you a free estimate for your exact home and route.

The biggest factor is the piano itself. Heavier and larger pianos need more movers, more equipment, and more time. These are national local-move averages from Angi. They are a starting point for planning, not a quote.

Grand pianos are priced partly by length. HomeGuide puts a 5-foot grand at $200 to $450 for a local move and a 9-foot concert grand at $400 to $1,000. Measure from the keyboard to the curved end of the case before you call for a quote.

Long-distance piano moves are priced on distance as well as the piano. HomeGuide lists these typical ranges:

Per-mile rates vary by source. HomeGuide cites $2 to $10 per mile plus a base rate, while Angi cites $1.50 to $3 per mile. If the piano is going with the rest of your household on a long-distance move, ask for it to be included in the same estimate so you are not paying for two separate trips.

Weight and Number of Movers

Weight decides how many people the job needs, and labor is most of the cost. Angi breaks it down like this:

Stairs and Tight Access

Stairs are the most common add-on. HomeGuide puts stair charges at $5 to $10 per step or $40 to $100 per staircase, and Angi lists $40 to $100 per flight. In Northern Virginia, that often means a split-level entry, a townhouse with the living room on the second floor, or a garden apartment walk-up. Count the steps on both ends, including the few steps up to the front door.

Distance and Timing

A move across town costs far less than a move across the country. Short-notice jobs can also cost more. HomeGuide lists rush fees of $300 to $700. If your date is flexible, book early and avoid month-end, when demand is highest.

Crating, Hoisting, and Storage

Most home piano moves do not need a crate or a hoist, but some do. Custom crating ranges from about $200 to over $1,000 depending on the source and the piano, and hoisting through a window or over a balcony runs $500 to $1,700, according to HomeGuide. If you need to store the piano between homes, HomeGuide puts piano storage at $50 to $80 a month. Our warehouse storage in Lorton is an option when your move-out and move-in dates do not line up.

Almost every piano needs tuning after a move, even a short one. Changes in temperature and humidity affect the strings and soundboard more than the ride itself. Tuning typically costs $100 to $200, per both HomeGuide and Angi.

We recommend having the piano tuned a couple of weeks after the move, once it settles into its new room. You can find a qualified technician through the Piano Technicians Guild.

Usually not. Even a small upright can weigh several hundred pounds, and a grand can go well past 900. The weight sits high and off-center, which makes it easy to tip on a ramp or a turn. The common results are strained backs, gouged floors, cracked door frames, and damage inside the piano that only shows up when you play it.

A rental truck, a borrowed dolly, and a few friends might save a couple hundred dollars. One repair to a soundboard, a leg, or a hardwood floor can cost more than the move. If you have other heavy pieces too, like a gun safe or an armoire, our large item movers can handle them on the same trip.

A quote is only as good as the details behind it. Have these ready before you call:

• The piano type and, for a grand, its length
• The number of steps at pickup and delivery, inside and outside
• Photos of the path from the piano to the door, including tight turns
• The delivery floor and whether there is an elevator
• Whether you need storage between homes
• Your moving date and how flexible it is

For a full picture of what the rest of your move might cost, read our guide to how much movers cost in Northern Virginia.

Quick Reaction Moving & Storage is a veteran-owned moving company based in Lorton, Virginia. We move upright, console, and spinet pianos, plus grand and baby grand pianos. We use piano boards, skids, straps, and padding built for the job, and we handle stairs and elevation changes with the right gear.

Every piano move starts with a free in-home or virtual estimate, so the price is clear before moving day. If you also have antiques or fragile heirlooms, our antique movers and white glove service cover those too. We offer discounts for active military and veterans, first responders, seniors, and educators.

How much does it cost to move a piano up stairs?

Expect to add about $40 to $100 per flight, or $5 to $10 per step, based on HomeGuide and Angi data. Tight turns on the stairs can add time as well.

How much does it cost to move a baby grand piano?

A local baby grand move typically costs $400 to $800, according to Angi. Stairs, distance, and storage add to that.

Do pianos need to be tuned after moving?

Yes, in almost every case. Wait a couple of weeks for the piano to adjust to the new room, then schedule a tuning, which usually costs $100 to $200.

Can I store a piano during my move?

Yes. Piano storage typically runs $50 to $80 a month nationally. Ask us about storage in Lorton if you need a place for it between homes.

Is it cheaper to move a piano with the rest of my house?

It usually is, because the truck, the movers, and the trip are already paid for. Ask for the piano to be included in your main moving estimate.

Moving a piano in Northern Virginia? Request a free estimate or call (571) 946-0781. Tell us the piano, the stairs, and the destination, and we will give you a clear price and a plan to get it there safely.