If you’ve ever moved in the past, you already know that getting into your new home involves much more than just throwing your things into boxes and driving to the property. Depending on the size of your home, you could spend up to a week just packing up your household goods. Any large or bulky items that you’re moving with you increase the complexity of your move. This is especially true when you’re moving a piano, as these classic instruments require careful packing and loading in order to arrive at your home safely.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
Thinking about moving your piano along with you when you head to your new property? Don’t take on this monumental task on your own. Trusting professional piano movers doesn’t only help you rest with the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that amateurs won’t be lifting your expensive instrument — it can also help prevent serious injury. But with so many piano moving companies operating across the country, which one should you trust with your instrument? We’ve created a list of the best piano moving companies to help you choose how to move this tricky item.
The 6 Best Piano Moving Companies
Our top recommended piano moving companies for 2023:
Compare The Best Cheap Moving Companies
The table below outlines data for the best moving companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings and price estimates to reflect industry changes. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
Company | Best For | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Local Cost | Long-distance Cost |
 | Best Full-Service | B | $650–$1350 | $2,100–$5,400 | |
 | Most Transparent Pricing | B- | $550–$1,100 | $2,550–$5,700 | |
 | Best Cost Estimation Tools | B | $700 - $1,250 | $1,800 - $4980 | |
 | Best Flat-Rate | Not Rated | Not available for local moves | $2,200–$5,500 | |
 | Most Moving | B | Call for a quote | $2,750–$5,200 | |
 | Most Customizable | A+ | Call for a quote | $2,750–$6,000 | |
 | Best Vehicle | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Pricing | A+ | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Technology | A+ | Call for quote | $2,000–$5,000 | |
 | Best Container Service | A+ | Not available for local moves | $1,350–$2,400 | |
 | Best Valuation Coverage Options | A+ | $1,200-$2,750 | $3,100-$8,400 |
*Quote and cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
International Van Lines is one of the biggest names in long-distance moving for both residential and commercial moves. They can move you to every state in the country as well as to 150 different countries. If you require help moving your baby grand piano or upright piano, they have the experience and know-how to accomplish that move for you.
IVL has qualified movers who can disassemble and reassemble your piano, all while making the moving process as smooth and problem-free as possible. You can get a free quote without even doing an in-person walkthrough with a representative. International Van Lines has developed software called MoveOne so that you can do a virtual walkthrough of your home and get a quote, all through your phone. This mix of professionalism and convenience makes International Van Lines a top choice for piano movers.
As a full-service moving company, you have access to a wide selection of convenient services to make your move easier. You can currently book the following add-ons and specialty moving processes through the team at International Van Lines.
- Packing and unpacking services
- Loading and unloading services
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Crating
- Specialized packing services for fragile items
- Storage solutions for both short-term and long-term periods
- Packing supplies
- Auto transportation services
- Military moving services
- Commercial moving services
Moving companies like International Van Lines price your move based on two major factors: the distance you’re traveling and the size of the home that you need to move. Estimate what you might pay for your move with International Van Lines using the table of customer pricing below.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,400 to $4,400 | $1,900 to $4,900 | $2,100 to $5,100 | $2,400 to $5,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,200 to $6,200 | $5,100 to $8,100 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $6,200 to $9,200 |
American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
American Van Lines has some of the best piano movers in the moving industry. No matter the type of piano you have, American Van Lines’ professional piano movers are trained to move your beautiful instrument safely and efficiently. They pride themselves on their expertise in the disassembly of all types of pianos, packing up each component securely and then reassembling your piano at your new home with each and every piece back where it belongs, leaving your piano ready to adjust to its new environment.
American Van Lines has binding estimates and doesn’t charge any extra for last-minute moves, so if you’re moving anywhere in the lower 48 states, American Van Lines is an excellent option for a piano moving company thanks to their employee training, which requires specialized instruction on piano moving.
You can currently book the following add-ons and specialty moving processes through the team at American Van Lines.
- Packing and unpacking services
- Storage unit arrangement
- Specialty packing services for items like pianos and antiques
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Crating for large items (like pianos)
- Moving supplies
- Office moving services and corporate relocation
- Military moves
Estimate what you might pay for your move with American Van Lines using the table of customer pricing below.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,700 to $4,700 | $2,300 to $5,300 | $2,600 to $5,600 | $4,200 to $7,200 |
| Four-bedroom home | $4,800 to $7,800 | $5,600 to $8,600 | $7,400 to $10,400 | $10,800 to $13,800 |
Moving APT
3.9
Our Rating
Moving APT is a moving broker that can connect you with the most affordable piano movers in your area. If you’re moving locally, cross country, or between states, Moving APT can use its extensive network of moving companies and specialty service providers to find you the perfect company or combination of companies to fit your needs.
Connecting with Moving APT and booking your unique moving processes is easy. You simply tell Moving APT what your moving date is, your origin and destination, the services you’re looking for, and your budget. They have 2,500 partners all over the country, and within those partners, they can help connect you with companies who do professional piano moving, crating, and even piano storage. Moving APT even offers binding estimates and a price matching policy to help you save as much as possible on your piano move.
Some of the most popular services booked through Moving APT’s brokerage operation include the following.
- Commercial and residential moving
- Piano moving
- Auto shipping
- Packing services
- Packing supplies (included for some moves)
- Appliance connection services
- Limited furniture disassembly and reassembly
Remember that Moving APT is not a moving company itself — it operates as a moving broker, which means that it partners you with local moving teams that have the resources you need. This means that the specific add-ons and services you’ll have access to may vary depending on your location.
Moving APT does not currently offer online pricing estimates because it takes a personal approach to creating the perfect moving package for each of its customers. As a general idea of pricing, homeowners who are moving a four-bedroom home a total distance of 1,000 miles can usually expect to pay around $7,800 for their moving services. Don’t forget to click on the link below to get your free, no-obligation quote from Moving APT.
JK Moving Services
4.2
Our Rating
JK Moving Services is a moving service company well-known for its great customer service and highly customizable moving plans, as well as its customization options. Each and every member of staff is drug-tested and background-checked, and they are all annually trained in new methods and developments in the moving industry. You’re even assigned a personal moving coordinator when you begin planning the moving process. These policies allow you to rest with the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that your move will be handled only by trained professionals.
JK Moving Services offers full-service moves, fragile-only moves, and even help with DIY moves; they also offer piano moving services. They take great care with your valuable and heavy items, and they offer storage solutions should you need them, complete with video surveillance. When you download JK Moving Services’ mobile app, you can even track your moves in real-time.
JK Moving Services is best known for its diverse range of add-on services and specialized moving packages. You can currently book the following add-ons and specialty moving processes through the team at JK Moving Services.
- Packing and unpacking services
- Loading and unloading services
- Long-term and short-term storage unit arrangement
- Transportation and delivery
- Freighting
- Crating
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly services
- Specialty services for items like antiques and pianos
- Specialized services for commercial moves for law firms, hospitals and other specialized workplaces
- Government moving services
- Archive services
- Auto relocation services
Like Moving APT, JK Moving Services takes a more personal approach to pricing than most moving companies. In order to get your estimate, you’ll need to request a free custom quote using the link below. As a general idea of pricing, homeowners who are moving a two-bedroom property a total distance of 500 miles can usually expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,500 for their moving services.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied Van Lines is a full-service moving company with a long list of services they provide for your move, including packing services, fragile-only packing, debris removal, custom crating, vehicle shipping, and even a moving container service, among many other things. With almost 90 years of experience, Allied Van Lines is a trusted name in the moving industry, providing quality services you can count on.
Allied’s team has the tools and expertise to disassemble your concert grand piano or spinet and safely pack it away so that it arrives at its destination without incident. If all you need to move is the piano, you can use Allied Express, the moving container service Allied has come up with to facilitate smaller-scale moves. Allied professionals will still load, transport, and unload your piano, so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting. This can be an affordable option for anyone moving a smaller piano or a large keyboard.
You can currently book the following add-ons and specialty moving processes through the team at Allied Van Lines.
- Packing services and unpacking services
- Fragile-only packing
- Storage for in-transit items
- Arrangement of long-term storage units
- Shipment tracking
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Auto and boat transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-value coverage
Estimate what you might pay for your move with Allied Van Lines using the table of customer pricing below.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,800 to $4,500 | $2,400 to $5,400 | $2,700 to $5,700 | $4,400 to $7,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,300 to $6,000 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $10,900 to $13,000 |
North American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
North American Van Lines has made a name for itself in the moving industry over a 90-year career. They were the first moving company to traverse the Alaska Highway, and they’ve even developed their own driver simulator so that drivers can be prepared for any type of road condition. North American has predictable pricing so that when you sign up for a moving plan and the services you need, you won’t have any surprises when the bill is due.
For most moving plans, North American does a thorough inventory of all of your items and labels each box carefully so that unloading and unpacking is a breeze. Because they do fragile-only packing, disassembly, and reassembly, you can count on North American Van Lines to make your piano moving experience a smooth one. North American can also be a top choice for customized pricing, as the mover offers quote choices like single-item billing and not to exceed pricing.
You can currently book the following add-ons and specialty moving processes through the team at North American Van Lines.
- Full-service packing
- Fragile-only packing
- Boxes and moving supplies
- Appliance disconnection and reconnection
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Custom crates
- Loading and unloading
- Crane vans for large items
- Storage
- Auto transport
- Basic liability coverage
- Full-valuation coverage
Estimate what you might pay for your move with North American Van Lines using the table of customer pricing below.
| <250 miles | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | 2,000 miles | |
| Two-bedroom home | $1,800 to $4,500 | $2,400 to $5,400 | $2,700 to $5,700 | $4,400 to $7,400 |
| Four-bedroom home | $3,300 to $6,000 | $5,700 to $8,700 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $10,900 to $13,000 |
What To Look for In Piano Movers
When you’re looking to hire a company for piano moving services, it’s always best to see what is included in the piano move. Piano movers will reassemble your piano after arrival at its destination, but will they tune it, or do you have to hire piano tuners for that? That is just an example of some things to look for when making your choice. You’ll also want to consider the following before you choose the company you want to work with.
- Experience and tools: Tools like dollies, packing tape, and padding are all essential when it comes to moving a piano, no matter if it’s a spinet, baby grand, upright, or even digital. Pianos are instruments with many delicate and complex parts—you’ll want to make sure your piano mover has the knowledge needed to protect the keys, pedals, and legs, and that they know how to properly pick up a piano. They should have a plan for each type of piano already in place so that step by step, they can safely and efficiently relocate your instrument.
- Certification: There are certifications that movers must acquire in order to be qualified to move pianos. There are, of course, companies that exist that perform these services without the necessary certification. If you choose one of these companies, you could be putting the condition of your piano in serious jeopardy when you move. Be sure to ask your potential piano movers about certifications when you’re looking for the company you want to work with.
- Customer reviews: Before you book any type of move, you should check out what previous customers are saying about the company you’re considering. How is the company’s customer service? Are they polite and professional, yet friendly and helpful? Are the movers punctual? What about damages? You can look on sites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau as well as other unbiased, third-party sites to check out what previous customers experienced with the company you’re thinking about hiring. If you see multiple complaints that seem to be consistent across review sites, be sure to keep this in mind.
What Costs Are Involved with Piano Moving?
The costs that come along with piano moving aren’t very different from typical moving services. Distance, weight, and level of expertise all contribute to the cost of moving your piano. The following factors will also come into play when your moving company prices your piano move.
- Type of piano: The type of piano you own influences the moving process and services that you need. For example, a grand or baby grand piano requires more disassembly than an upright piano or a studio piano. The longer it takes for the moving team to disassemble the instrument and prepare it for transport, the more it will cost. Along with the time it takes to disassemble and reassemble certain types of pianos is the weight. The larger the piano, the heavier it is and the more it will cost to move.
- Training: Piano movers must go through a training course and get certified in order to become official professional piano movers. This takes time and money, and you’re essentially paying for their specialized skills when hiring them to move your sensitive instrument. This is why moving a piano is more expensive than moving similar bulky items like furniture.
- Distance and method of packing: If the company must crate your piano, that’s another cost that will be added to your bill — especially if it’s custom crating. Packing materials cost money, as does special training in packing up piano components. The longer the distance of your move, the more the mileage costs as well.
Final Thoughts
Moving a piano can be an extensive and expensive endeavor — especially if you own a fragile or exceptionally valuable instrument. One area where you don’t want to skimp when planning a move is your piano movers. While you can do things like pack your home and book storage services on your own, attempting to move a piano by yourself can be hazardous to both you and the instrument. The best way to lower the cost you’ll pay for piano moving is to explore all of your options by getting a free quote from each of the service providers listed above.
FAQs about Piano Movers
How do movers protect the piano while moving it?
For a grand piano, the movers first remove the legs and then move it onto its side. They then cover the piano’s surface with moving blankets and tape them to each other to secure them, carefully avoiding the finishing on the piano. They also remove the pedals and any other protruding parts so that they don’t get bumped and jostled during the process.
For upright pianos, the movers may remove the pedals, or they may simply tape them up like they do with grand pianos. The entire upright piano will be taped up with moving blankets around it like the grand piano, but the movers will likely use a piano board to move the upright piano all in one piece into the moving vehicle. Once inside the moving vehicle, all pianos will be secured so that they don’t slide or tip over during transport.
Can I move my piano myself?
The short answer is yes, but it’s not recommended. Unless you have experience moving pianos, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. If you do decide to undertake a DIY piano move, you will need at least one other helper and a piano board or dolly to aid in moving the piano into a moving vehicle.
Can I play my piano as soon as it’s reassembled?
Absolutely not. Due to changes in the air conditions and humidity in a new place, it’s best to leave your piano alone for about two weeks after it’s reassembled and in place. You can then hire a tuner after the strings have had time to settle and adjust, and then you can resume playing your piano.
What is a CPM?
“CPM” stands for “Certified Piano Mover.” These are movers who have taken an online course with the Piano Technician Academy and have passed the course with a score of at least 80%.
What is the moving cost for an upright piano?
The average moving cost of an upright piano in the United States is between $300 and $400. This means that if you’re moving a baby grand or grand piano, your process will likely cost a few hundred dollars more.
Today's Homeowner Rating Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
- Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
- Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
- Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.
- Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
- Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.
