877-412-1344 TL;DR
Moving a big piano (500 to 1,200+ pounds) requires either a dedicated piano specialist or a full-service moving company with experience moving specialty items. For household moves that include a piano, AmeriSafe Van Lines offers a single-coordinator approach that covers everything. For standalone piano-only transport, Modern Piano Moving and Walter Piano Transport are the two names practitioners consistently recommend. Expect to pay $200 to $650 locally and $500 to $2,500 for long-distance moves, with extra costs for stairs, crating, and post-move tuning.
Why “Big” Piano Moves Are in a Different League
A baby grand piano weighs 500 to 600 pounds. A concert grand can tip the scales at 1,200 pounds. These are not pieces of furniture. They’re precision instruments with thousands of moving parts, finished in lacquer that scratches if you look at it wrong, balanced on legs that weren’t designed to absorb the jolts of a truck ride.
Generic furniture movers regularly fail at this. A piano technician at Bradfield Piano reported seeing pianos damaged or dropped by furniture movers at least once a month in his shop alone. High employee turnover at general moving companies means the crew handling your Steinway might have been on the job for two weeks.
The core decision you face: do you hire a piano-only specialist who moves nothing but pianos, or a full-service mover that handles your piano alongside the rest of your household? This article breaks down both options, with real pricing, real user feedback, and the tradeoffs nobody else is talking about.
Get a specialty moving quote from AmeriSafe Van Lines.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
Company | Type | Best For | Piano-Only Moves? | Service Area | Pricing Model | BBB Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AmeriSafe Van Lines | Carrier + Broker | Piano as part of a full household move | No (full-service) | Nationwide | Custom quote | Listed |
Modern Piano Moving | Piano specialist | Piano-only long-distance moves | Yes | 48 states + Canada | Quote-based | A+ |
Walter Piano Transport | Piano specialist | High-value and concert pianos | Yes | Nationwide (long-distance) | Quote-based | Not Accredited |
American Van Lines | Carrier | Flat-rate piano + household moves | No (full-service) | 48 states | Flat rate | A |
International Van Lines | Carrier + Broker | International moves including a piano | No (full-service) | 50 states + 150 countries | Weight/distance | Listed |
Allied Van Lines | Van line (agent network) | Bundling piano with household move | No (full-service) | Nationwide | Agent quotes | Listed |
Safeway Moving | Broker | Long-distance moves needing free storage | No (full-service) | Nationwide | Flat rate | Listed |
The 7 Best Big Piano Movers
1. AmeriSafe Van Lines
Best for: Moving a piano as part of a full household relocation
When you’re relocating your entire home across state lines and you also own a grand piano, hiring two separate companies (one for the piano, one for everything else) doubles the coordination headaches and scheduling risk. AmeriSafe Van Lines eliminates that problem. As a licensed interstate motor carrier and licensed interstate moving broker authorized for household goods, AmeriSafe can assign its own trucks or work with trusted partners depending on the route, all managed through a single dedicated coordinator.
Key features:
Nationwide coverage for local and long-distance moves
Specialty moving services that include piano handling, packing, and storage
One point of contact (coordinator-led experience) from booking to delivery
Dual carrier/broker authority under FMCSA, giving route flexibility
Full packing services, moving supplies, short-term and long-term storage options
Pricing: Custom quotes based on inventory, distance, and services. No published flat rates, but you can request a detailed moving estimate through their quote form or by phone.
Limitations:
Not a piano-only specialist. If you need to ship just a piano with no other belongings, a dedicated piano mover may be more appropriate.
Custom quotes mean you’ll need to go through the estimating process rather than seeing prices upfront.
As with any broker/carrier hybrid, the actual crew on moving day may vary by route.
Why it works for big piano owners: The value is consolidation. Instead of coordinating pickup windows with a piano specialist and a separate household mover (and hoping both align), you get one company, one schedule, one insurance framework. For families with heirloom pianos relocating across the country, that simplicity matters.
2. Modern Piano Moving
Best for: Dedicated, long-distance piano-only transport
Modern Piano Moving has been in business since 1935, with more than 90 years of experience moving pianos exclusively. They are one of only two dedicated national piano movers that practitioners on Piano World forums consistently recommend by name.
Key features:
Serves 48 states and select locations in Canada
Does not subcontract any segment of the move, handling everything in-house from pickup to delivery
Climate-controlled trucks and storage facilities
Air-ride-equipped trailers with rail-lift gates
Specialized equipment: ATV shuttle vehicles, e-track piano moving boards, custom dollies
Pricing: Quote-based. One forum user reported paying $1,695 for a cross-state move and called it “very reasonable.” Another found their quote was $600 less than Walter Piano Transport for the same route.
User perspective (positive): One Angi reviewer called Modern Piano Moving “a throwback to the days when companies were run by people who cared about their customers’ service.”
User perspective (negative): A Piano World forum user cautioned that “you have zero control over the pick day and delivery day. If you had a very tricky work schedule, this system might not work for you.” A BBB complaint described movers arriving in a U-Haul truck with an undersized crew unable to complete the job.
Limitations:
Piano-only. Cannot move furniture, boxes, or anything else.
Delivery windows are determined by the company’s routing schedule, not your preferred date.
BBB complaints suggest inconsistent crew quality on some routes despite the A+ rating.
3. Walter Piano Transport
Best for: High-value, museum-quality, and concert grand pianos
Founded in 1984 by the Walter family of Elkhart, Indiana, Walter Piano Transport goes beyond moving. They also offer piano restoration, service, and repair, which separates them from transport-only companies. A piano dealer on Piano World noted there are “so few companies that specialize in long-distance piano moves,” naming Walter as one of the best alongside Modern Piano Moving.
Key features:
40,000 square foot climate-controlled warehouse monitored 24 hours a day
Piano restoration and repair capabilities, in addition to transport
Trusted by 17,000+ customers per their website
Specializes in long-distance piano transport
Pricing: Quote-based. One Google reviewer found Walter “$1,000 less expensive than the generics, simply because this is all they do.” However, pricing varies significantly by route, and other users found them more expensive than Modern Piano Moving.
User perspective (negative): A BBB complaint described the delivery price increasing by $1,000 from the original estimate, with the company “saying things change.” Walter is not BBB accredited.
Limitations:
Long-distance only. Does not handle local moves or furniture.
Uses local movers for the pickup and delivery legs of the move, which made at least one forum user uneasy about quality control at the endpoints.
Not BBB accredited, which may concern some buyers.
4. American Van Lines
Best for: Flat-rate piano + household moves with no staircase surprises
American Van Lines stands out among big piano movers for one specific reason: flat-rate pricing that includes piano moving and bulky-item fees, with no extra charges for stairs or elevators. If you live in a third-floor walkup with a baby grand, that policy alone could save you hundreds.
Key features:
Trained crews that can disassemble and reassemble large pianos
Flat-rate pricing with piano fees baked in
Also handles art collections, family heirlooms, and other specialty items
82% of Trustpilot reviews give 4 or 5 stars
Pricing: Flat rate (quoted per move). The all-inclusive model means fewer line-item surprises, though the base quote may be higher than that of competitors who charge for stairs separately.
Limitations:
NerdWallet noted a “very high complaint ratio relative to other companies.”
Requires a 50% upfront deposit, which is significantly more than most movers charge before service begins
Not a piano-only specialist, so the piano crew is part of a general moving team
5. International Van Lines (IVL)
Best for: International relocations that include a piano
If your piano is crossing an ocean, International Van Lines covers 50 states and 150 countries. Their MoveOne software lets customers do a virtual walkthrough of their home through their phone to generate a quote, which is genuinely useful if you’re already abroad or short on time.
Key features:
Virtual survey technology for remote quoting
Coverage in 150+ countries
Piano surcharge typically $150 to $350 on top of standard moving fees
Full-service packing and crating available
Limitations:
Brokers are using some moving services that use third-party carriers that may not adhere to the same handling standards
Piano moving is an add-on, not a core specialty
The additional piano surcharge means the total cost isn’t immediately transparent until you ask
6. Allied Van Lines
Best for: Bundling a piano with a full household move through an established network
Allied’s agent network regularly handles upright and grand pianos using trained crews and specialty equipment, with strong nationwide scheduling availability. They also offer moving containers as a more affordable alternative to traditional full-service moving.
Key features:
Delivery date guarantee, with a $75/day penalty if they’re late
Agent network provides broad geographic coverage
Moving container option for budget-conscious relocations
Long track record as one of the largest van lines in the U.S.
Limitations:
An agent-based model means quality can vary dramatically by location. Your Allied experience in Dallas might be completely different from your experience in Portland.
Not a piano specialist. Piano handling expertise depends on the local agent’s crew.
Container moves don’t include the hands-on loading and unloading that piano moves require.
7. Safeway Moving
Best for: Long-distance moves where you need free storage
If your move-in date doesn’t line up with your move-out date and you need somewhere to park a piano in the interim, Safeway Moving offers 30 days of free storage on all long-distance moves. That’s a meaningful perk given that climate-controlled piano storage typically runs $70 to $100 per month.
Key features:
30 days of free storage on long-distance moves
Flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
All partner carriers carry $1 million in liability insurance
Limitations:
Operates as a broker, meaning the actual moving crew comes from a partner carrier
Piano handling experience depends entirely on the assigned carrier
Limited transparency into who will actually show up on moving day
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Big Piano?
Cost is the first question, and existing guides tend to dodge it. Here are real numbers pulled from industry sources.
Cost by Move Type
Move Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
Local upright piano | $275 average flat rate |
Local grand piano | $450 average flat rate |
Local move (any piano) | $100 to $650 total |
Long-distance move | $500 to $2,500 (based on mileage and piano size) |
Hidden Costs Most Guides Skip
Extra Service | Cost |
|---|---|
Stairs surcharge | $5 to $10 per step, or $40 to $100 per flight |
Crane or hoisting (window entry) | $500 to $1,700 |
Grand piano crating | $700 to $1,200 |
Disassembly/reassembly | $80 to $100 |
Rush fee | $300 to $700 |
Post-move tuning | $100 to $200 |
Climate-controlled storage | $70 to $100/month |
Additional insurance (above $5,000 value) | $10 to $15 per additional $1,000 declared |
Peak season (May through September) typically adds 10 to 15 percent to these numbers. If you have scheduling flexibility, a fall or winter move will cost less.
Piano-Only Specialist vs. Full-Service Mover: Which Should You Choose?
This is the decision that no other comparison article frames clearly, and it’s the one that matters most.
Choose a piano-only specialist if:
You are moving only the piano (no other household items)
Your piano is extremely valuable (concert grand, antique, or appraised above $20,000)
You need climate-controlled transport specifically designed for instruments
You’re comfortable coordinating a separate mover for your furniture
Choose a full-service mover with piano experience if:
You’re relocating your entire household, and the piano is part of the move
You want one company, one schedule, and one point of contact
The piano is valuable but not museum-grade
You don’t want the hassle of managing two moving companies with different pickup and delivery windows
For most families moving cross-country, the full-service approach makes more sense. Coordinating a piano specialist alongside a household mover means dealing with two contracts, two insurance policies, two delivery windows, and the stress of hoping both show up when they’re supposed to.
Request a quote for your full move, including piano handling, from AmeriSafe Van Lines.
How to Vet a Big Piano Mover (and Avoid Scams)
The piano moving industry is largely unregulated. Almost anyone with a truck can claim to be a piano mover regardless of training or experience. That reality makes vetting essential.
Red flags to watch for:
No FMCSA registration. Every legitimate interstate mover needs a DOT number and an MC number. Verify both in FMCSA’s SAFER System.
Unbranded trucks. If they show up in a rental truck with no company markings, that’s a problem. One BBB complaint about a major piano mover described exactly this scenario.
Vague or verbal-only quotes. Demand a written, binding estimate. One common scam involves offering a low initial quote, then drastically raising the price after the piano is loaded onto the truck. At that point, you have zero leverage.
No insurance documentation. Ask for a certificate of insurance before booking. Don’t accept “we’re covered” without proof.
No references or reviews. A company that can’t provide references from recent piano moves is a company you should avoid.
For a deeper look at common tactics, read this guide on avoiding moving scams.
Questions to ask before booking:
How many pianos has your crew moved in the past year?
Do you subcontract any portion of the move?
What equipment do you use (piano board, skid, custom dolly)?
What happens if the piano is damaged? Walk me through the claims process.
Can you provide a binding, not-to-exceed estimate in writing?
Insurance and Protection for Your Piano
Most movers include basic coverage (Released Value Protection) at no extra cost, but it typically only covers pianos valued at $5,000 or less. If your instrument is worth more, expect to pay $10 to $15 for every additional $1,000 in declared value.
Full Value Protection is worth the upgrade for any piano worth more than a few thousand dollars. Under this option, the mover is responsible for repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current market value if your piano is damaged.
Before the move:
Get a written appraisal from a piano technician or dealer
Photograph every angle of the piano, including the underside, legs, pedals, and finish
Open the lid and photograph the strings and hammers
Save these photos with timestamps as documentation
This evidence makes any future insurance claim straightforward rather than a battle of your word against theirs.
What to Expect on Moving Day (and After)
Before the movers arrive:
Measure every doorway, hallway, and staircase between the piano and the truck
Clear the path completely. Remove rugs, shoes, side tables, anything that could trip a crew carrying 800 pounds.
Empty the piano bench
Close and lock the keyboard lid
If you have the original caster cups, remove them
What the crew should bring:
Professional big piano movers will arrive with piano boards (heavy-duty skids), moving blankets or quilted pads, heavy-duty straps, a four-wheel dolly, and ramps. For grand pianos, they’ll remove the legs and pedal lyre, wrap the body, and transport it on its side. If anyone suggests sliding your grand piano across the floor on its legs, stop the move immediately.
After the move:
Don’t tune the piano right away. The instrument needs time to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of its new environment. Wait at least two weeks, preferably three to four. Professional packing and careful transport reduce the shock, but some detuning is inevitable. Budget $100 to $200 for a post-move tuning, which takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
Piano Weight Reference Chart
Understanding your piano’s weight helps you evaluate whether a mover has the right crew size and equipment. Here’s what you’re working with:
Piano Type | Weight Range | Minimum Movers Needed |
|---|---|---|
Spinet | 200 to 400 lbs | 2 |
Console | 350 to 450 lbs | 2 to 3 |
Studio Upright | 400 to 500 lbs | 3 |
Full-Size Upright | 500 to 1,000 lbs | 3 to 4 |
Baby Grand | 500 to 600 lbs | 3 to 4 |
Parlor Grand | 600 to 700 lbs | 4 |
Semi-Concert Grand | 900 to 1,000 lbs | 4 to 5 |
Concert Grand | Up to 1,200 lbs | 5 to 6 |
If a company tells you they’ll send two guys for your concert grand, that’s your cue to find a different mover.
Ready to move your piano safely? Contact AmeriSafe Van Lines for a custom quote that covers your piano and your entire household.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a grand piano long distance?
Long-distance grand piano moves typically cost between $500 and $2,500, depending on mileage and piano size. A forum user reported paying $1,695 for a cross-state move with Modern Piano Moving. Additional costs like crating ($700 to $1,200) and stairs ($5 to $10 per step) can add significantly to the total.
Can regular movers handle a big piano?
They can try, but the results are often poor. A piano technician at Bradfield Piano reported seeing pianos damaged or dropped by furniture movers at least once a month. General movers typically lack piano-specific equipment (boards, skids, proper dollies) and instrument handling training. If a full-service mover claims piano experience, ask specifically how many pianos they’ve moved recently and what equipment they use.
Should I hire a piano-only mover or a full-service moving company?
It depends on what else you’re moving. If the piano is the only item, a piano-only specialist like Modern Piano Moving or Walter Piano Transport is the better choice. If you’re relocating your entire household and the piano is part of the move, a full-service company with specialty item capabilities saves you from coordinating two separate movers with two different schedules.
Do I need to tune my piano after moving?
Yes. Changes in temperature and humidity during transport cause strings to stretch or contract, throwing the piano out of tune. Wait two to four weeks for the instrument to acclimate to its new environment before scheduling a tuning. Expect to pay $100 to $200 for the session, which takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
What insurance do I need for moving a valuable piano?
Most movers include basic Released Value Protection covering pianos valued at $5,000 or less. For higher-value instruments, you’ll pay $10 to $15 per additional $1,000 in declared value for Full Value Protection. Get a written appraisal before the move and photograph your piano thoroughly as documentation.
How do I spot a piano moving scam?
Watch for enticingly cheap quotes that seem too good to be true, movers without a verifiable DOT number, verbal-only estimates, and crews that arrive in unmarked rental trucks. The most common scam involves a lowball quote followed by a drastic price increase after your piano is already loaded. Always demand a binding written estimate and verify the company’s FMCSA registration before handing over any money.
How far in advance should I book big piano movers?
Book at least four to six weeks in advance for local moves and eight to twelve weeks in advance for long-distance or cross-country piano moves. During peak season (May through September), lead times stretch even longer. Modern Piano Moving and Walter Piano Transport both operate on routing schedules, meaning your pickup and delivery dates are determined by their existing routes rather than your preferred timeline.
Can a piano be moved through a window with a crane?
Yes, crane or hoisting services are available when stairways or doorways are too narrow for safe passage. This is common with large grand pianos in urban apartments or older homes. Expect to pay $500 to $1,700 for crane service, depending on the lift’s height, weight, and complexity.
