Best Piano Movers (Updated Review)
Bottom line: We’ve reviewed 4,400 moving companies’ cost data, specialty services, and customer reviews to identify the best piano movers. The professional moving companies we selected are expertly trained to move pianos with care and handle your other full-service moving needs.
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Whether you own a Steinway baby grand, an upright, or even a smaller spinet piano, you’ve undoubtedly enjoyed creating countless hours of beautiful music and priceless family memories. The last thing you want is for the music and memories to end on a sour note because your piano was damaged during a move.
Accounting for relocating your piano is an essential part of any moving experience. Not all full-service moving companies are adequately equipped to move pianos and other specialty items.
In this guide, we’ll go over the best major piano moving companies and offer tips to help you move your piano safely.
Best piano moving companies
Here are our picks for the best moving companies to consider when you need to transport a piano:
- Best customer service: Mayzlin Relocation
- Best for white-glove service: JK Moving Services
- Best for last-minute moves: American Van Lines
- Best for HOAs and condos: Safeway Moving
- Best claims process: North American Van Lines
Best customer service: Mayzlin Relocation
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
While smaller than some industry giants, family-owned Mayzlin is one of the best full-service, long-distance moving companies serving the contiguous U.S. states. It is equipped to handle specialty items like pianos, packing services, and more.
We found resources on Mayzlin’s website detailing how to move pianos, which is a plus. We also appreciate Mayzlin’s carrier status. As a carrier, Mayzlin handles each of its moves directly rather than through third-party providers, ensuring one point of contact through the piano-moving process.
What’s more, the company will assign you a personal moving coordinator to help with moving quotes and other aspects of your relocation. Mayzlin also has 24/7 live customer support if you have questions or concerns.
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Pros and cons
- Carrier staffed with moving experts
- Provides 30 days of free storage
- 24/7 customer support
- Requires a deposit to reserve your moving date
- No upfront pricing info on its website
Read our full Mayzlin Relocation review.
Best for white-glove service: JK Moving Services
rating
4.6 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
If you’re looking for high-end, white-glove service for your piano moves, JK Moving Services is an excellent choice. As part of its thorough piano moving process, JK Moving Services will inspect your piano’s condition with you prior to the move to ensure it arrives at your new home in the same condition as it left your own home.
Teams of four to six movers will move the piano, remove and wrap the legs and pedals if needed, and then unwrap and reassemble the piano at your final destination.
JK Moving Services also offers climate-controlled storage facilities if you need to store your piano for any amount of time. With guaranteed pickup and delivery, extremely responsive customer service, financing for qualifying customers, and background-checked movers, the luxury service may be worth the extra cost.
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
Pros and cons
- Can provide specialty piano wrapping, disassembly, and reassembly
- Background-checked movers
- Financing available to customers who qualify
- Climate-controlled storage options
- Local moves are limited (only available in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.)
- Prices tend to be higher than other movers
- No online quotes
Read our full JK Moving Services review.
Best for last-minute moves: American Van Lines
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
If you need last-minute help moving a piano, American Van Lines is well worth considering. The company doesn’t charge additional fees for last-minute moves and offers flat-rate pricing for pianos and other specialty items. You won’t have to pay extra fees for piano disassembly or reassembly because they’re included in your initial quote.
Better yet, American Van Lines actually certifies its crew members for moving pianos, fine art, and antiques after they complete necessary training, so you can have confidence that they’ll move your instrument safely.
In addition to packing services and large moves, American Van Lines can also accommodate specialty moves and small moves, which is perfect if you only need to move your piano and a few other items.
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Pros and cons
- No extra fees for last-minute moves
- Flat rates with no hidden fees
- 30 days of free storage available
- Has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
- Requires up to a 50% deposit
- No online shipment tracking options
Read our full American Van Lines review.
Best for HOAs and condos: Safeway Moving
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
All of Safeway’s moving partners carry $1 million in liability insurance—the minimum most HOAs and condo associations require. Further, Safeway and its partners hold the additional required licenses for working with HOAs and condos, so you don’t have to worry about your piano move not being compliant.
If you need climate-controlled storage facilities for your piano, Safeway Moving offers 30 days of free storage on all long-distance moves. Climate-controlled long-term storage is also available.
Safeway Moving also provides flat-rate pricing on its moves, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with hidden fees for your piano or other items. A triple-check verification system also ensures you get an accurate quote for your move, though you’ll have to call to get it.
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
Pros and cons
- 30 days of free storage on interstate moves
- 24/7 customer service
- Flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
- Price matching available
- Is very limited in its local moves
- No online quotes
- Not a great fit for small moves (like only moving your piano)
Read our full Safeway Moving review.
Best claims process: North American Van Lines
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Why we chose it
The last thing you want is for your piano to get damaged in transit to your new home. Even with the most careful movers, accidents can happen. If you’re worried about filing a claim, North American Van Lines (NAVL) is a good fit. You can file claims online, even for international moves, with a quick and easy claims process if your piano gets damaged.
We like that it offers fragile-only moving services for pianos and other delicate items. If you only need professional help to move your piano and antiques but want to pack the rest yourself, this flexible add-on service has you covered.
Whether you use North American Van Lines for long-distance or local moving, you’ll also benefit from 24/7 online tracking, custom crating, and guaranteed prices.
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
Pros and cons
- Offers fragile-only moves for pianos and other items
- 24/7 online tracking with GPS
- Interstate moves are completed quickly, often in 2-5 days
- Custom crating available
- Limited storage availability
- Does not provide instant quotes on its website
Read our full North American Van Lines review.
Compare the best piano movers
Still not sure which full-service mover you should entrust with piano moving services? Here’s a breakdown of our top picks:
| Company | Best for | Services | Average cost | BBB rating | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayzlin Relocation | Customer service | Local and long-distance moves | $$ | A- | 48 states (not in AK or HI) |
| JK Moving Services | White-glove service | Long-distance and international moves (limited local moves) | $$$$ | A+ | All 50 states + 170 countries |
| American Van Lines | Last-minute Moves | Local and long-distance moves | $$ | A+ | 48 states (not available in AK or HI) |
| Safeway Moving | HOAs and condos | Long-distance moves (limited local moves) | $$ | B- | All 50 states |
| North American Van Lines | Claims Process | Local, long-distance, and international moves | $$$ | A+ | All 50 states + 130 countries |
What to look for in a piano mover
Getting multiple quotes for moving a piano is a must, but there’s more to explore than cost. Here are some other essential factors to consider when choosing a piano mover:
- Customer reviews: Customer reviews and referrals are an essential starting point for having peace of mind that a mover will transport your piano with care. Check online reviews and ask the mover for referrals to get an idea of the pros and cons of their services.
- Moving process: Ask questions about the piano mover’s process. Do they disassemble or provide custom crating for pianos? What kind of equipment do they use to transport pianos? What kind of training does their team have? Understanding how they work will help you determine if they’re a good fit.
- Years of experience: Only work with piano movers who are properly licensed and have extensive experience moving pianos like yours. For example, if you need to move a baby grand but a mover is only experienced with upright pianos, you should choose someone else.
- Damage policy: No one likes to envision the worst-case scenario, but it’s important to understand a company’s policy on what to do if your piano is damaged in transit. Also, it’s important to understand what kind of contents coverage plans a potential mover offers.
- Quote standards: Some piano movers will give you a quote that could easily change, while others charge a flat rate, so you know how much to expect. Flat rates, or binding estimates, usually require an in-person or virtual walkthrough. Understand how quotes are calculated so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison.
Preparing to move your piano
Before moving specialists arrive to pick up your piano, you can do a few things to make a move easier (and potentially cheaper). If possible, take care of the following tasks before your professional piano movers arrive:
- Secure loose parts. Secure loose piano components like the keyboard lid so they don’t move around during transportation. This will reduce the risk of damage during the move.
- Measure the piano and doorways to plan your route. Carefully measure your piano’s dimensions, as well as the dimensions of any doors or hallways it might need to pass through. This will help you plan the route for getting the piano out of the house without hitting walls or door frames.
- Wrap with furniture pads (if necessary). If your movers won’t be providing furniture pads, or if you’re attempting a DIY move, be sure to wrap your piano with multiple furniture pads for added protection.
- Move the piano closer to the door. If you can safely move it, try to get your piano closer to your front door before movers arrive. Easier access can help you secure a lower quote. Only attempt to move the piano yourself if you have pthe roper equipment, such as moving straps and furniture dollies.
Factors affecting piano moving costs
When you’re requesting a free quote for piano moving services, be sure to provide your movers with sufficient information about your move. The following factors all have a direct influence on your piano moving costs:
- Type of piano: The type of piano you have affects how many movers are needed to transport it, how much padding is needed, and what type of moving equipment they require. Grand pianos are usually the most expensive to move (spinets are the cheapest) because they often require crating and disassembly.
- Accessibility: Due to their large size and weight, a piano’s accessibility will play a role in your moving quote. A piano that is hard to access or one that needs to be transported up or down a flight of stairs will increase your total costs due to the added labor.
- Piano storage: Pianos must be stored in a climate-controlled facility to protect the wood and minimize tuning issues. If storage is needed, be sure to request this as part of your quote.
- Moving distance: As with other items, the distance you need to move your piano will usually play a role in your total quote. Large moving companies generally charge a flat rate for long-distance moves, but many companies charge mile-based fees for local and long-distance moves. Be sure you understand how pricing is calculated.
FAQs about piano movers
Are piano movers worth it?
Trying to move a piano yourself can be tricky due to its weight and dimensions. You might damage the piano while loading it into a moving truck or injure yourself.
This becomes even more crucial if you’re moving from one state to another, where hiring one of the best interstate moving companies is advised. Hiring professional piano movers can offer peace of mind, ensuring both you and your piano are protected during the move, especially during interstate transitions.
Do you need a specialized mover to move a piano?
While you don’t technically need a specialized moving team to move your piano, it’s strongly recommended. General movers might not have the know-how or equipment to safely move your piano, which could increase the risk of damage.
Is it expensive to move a piano?
Local piano moves could cost as little as $150. However, moving a piano long-distance can cost as much as $2.50–$10 per mile, depending on the company’s rates. On average, most homeowners spend between $258 and $573 for piano moving services.
Do you need to tune a piano after moving it?
You’ll probably want to tune your piano after moving it. From changing humidity levels during the move to parts shifting while in transit, there are several issues that could affect your piano’s tuning. Retuning the piano after you move into your new home will help it sound like it should.
Methodology
We've been evaluating moving companies for over 10 years and have developed a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies.
We Look At:
Customer satisfaction (40%):
The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%):
Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%):
The company is well regarded within the moving industry as well as participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (10%):
The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%):
We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, expedited delivery and more.
National availability (5%):
The company offers origin and destination services across the country.
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