You can move an upright piano a short distance on one level with the right equipment and four or five strong helpers. Stairs, a grand piano or a long-distance move are where most people should stop and hire help. This guide covers both, in order.
Table of Contents
First, know what you are lifting
Pianos are heavy, top-heavy and unevenly balanced. Approximate weights:
| Piano type | Approx. weight | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Upright | 500 to 600 lb (smaller spinets weigh less) | Only on one level, with equipment and four or five people |
| Grand, including baby grand | 600 to 1,500 lb | No |
Weights vary by maker, size and age, so check your model before you plan the lift. (Home Depot)
What you will need
- A piano dolly rated well above the piano’s weight
- Moving straps or lifting harnesses
- At least six thick moving blankets and packing tape
- A piano board (skid board) for any grand
- A ramp, if the truck has no lift gate
- Ratchet straps to secure the piano inside the truck
- Four people to lift, plus one to clear the path and spot
The small casters on a piano’s legs are not built for moving it across a house. They can snap under the load or mark your floors.
How to move an upright piano, step by step
- Measure the route. Measure the piano, then every doorway, hallway turn and stair landing. Remove doors from their hinges if it buys you an inch.
- Close and lock the lid. Close the fallboard over the keys. Tape it shut if it does not lock, but keep tape off the finish.
- Wrap the whole piano. Cover every side in blankets and tape the blankets to each other, not to the wood.
- Get it onto the dolly. Tilt the piano back slightly while two people slide the dolly under. Keep the piano upright and centered.
- Move it slowly. Two people on each end, one spotting. Lift with your legs, and never let anyone stand on the downhill side of a ramp.
- Load it against the truck wall. Stand it upright against the front wall, keys facing the wall, and strap it at two heights.
- Unload in reverse. Place it on an inside wall at the new home, away from heat vents and windows.
Why grand pianos are a different job
A grand cannot roll through a doorway on its legs. The legs and pedals come off first, the body is turned onto its straight side, and it is strapped to a padded piano board before it moves anywhere. It is precise work with no margin for a slip, so this is the point to hire professionals.
Stairs change everything
On stairs, the person below carries most of the weight and has nowhere to go if the grip fails. Three or more steps is a reasonable line for calling in a crew with stair equipment. Buffalo’s older homes in neighborhoods like North Buffalo and Elmwood often have narrow, turning staircases that make this harder still.
Buffalo weather and your piano
Pianos go out of tune mainly from changes in temperature and humidity, not from the truck ride. (Wikipedia: Piano maintenance) That matters in Western New York, where a piano can go from a heated living room to a freezing truck in January.
- In winter, keep the time in the truck short and never leave the piano in an unheated garage overnight.
- Let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before anyone plays it.
- Wait about three weeks after the move before booking a tuning, so the wood settles in its new climate. (Moving Help)
If the piano has to wait between homes, store it somewhere climate-controlled. Our moving storage warehouse in Buffalo regulates temperature and humidity for musical instruments.
Check the coverage before the move
On an interstate move, the no-cost Released Value option pays no more than 60 cents per pound per item. For a 600-pound piano, that is $360, whatever the piano is worth. (FMCSA) Ask what protection applies before the piano is loaded, and list it separately on your estimate.
When to hire piano movers
Hire help if any of these apply:
- It is a baby grand or grand
- There are stairs at either end
- The piano is valuable, antique or sentimental
- It is moving out of state or into storage
- You cannot find four or five capable people
FAQ
Can you move a piano on its side?
Only grands, and only on a piano board. Uprights should stay upright.
Does moving a piano ruin the tuning?
A careful move does little to the tuning. The new room’s climate does more, which is why you wait a few weeks to tune.
Can I put a piano in a rental truck?
Yes, if the truck has a ramp or lift gate and you can strap the piano upright to the front wall.
How much does it cost to move a piano?
It depends on the piano type, stairs and distance. Ask for it as a line item on your estimate.
Moving a piano in Western New York?
Wayfinder’s crews move pianos as a special item on local and long-distance moves. Mention the piano when you request your quote so the right crew and equipment are planned in, or call (716) 832-6683.
