Piano Guidance
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How much does it cost to move an upright piano?

For an upright or spinet piano, expect to pay between $150 and $300 for a local move and between $500 and $800 for long-distance shipping. These instruments weigh less—at 300 to 800 pounds—and are more compact units that don't require any dismantling before travel.

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Along with the cost of moving across the country, the cost to move a piano is around $1.50 to $2.50 per mile locally and $2.50 to $10 per mile for a long-distance move. Naturally, the delivery fees will increase with the distance it needs to travel due to the time spent and fuel costs.

Stairs

Going up steps costs around $5 to $10 per step, or $40 to $100 per staircase. This extra fee prevents damage that can happen when navigating these areas in the home.

Moving Equipment

The cost of moving equipment varies according to what type of instrument you’re moving. Here are some average prices of the equipment your pros may use.

Dolly: $130–$200

Hump strap: $25

Locking belt: $25

Skid board: $125

Protective pads and blankets: $30–$35

Hoist and crane: $750–$2,000

Packing tape: $3 per roll

Special Packing

The cost of special packing ranges between $100 and $1,200, depending on your instrument's needs. Grand pianos require some type of dismantling or crating. Pros will partially take it apart, lay it on its side, and reassemble it at the new location. The price of dismantling is approximately $100. Crating your instrument costs about $800 but can go up to $1,200 if you need it heated. Upright pianos are wrapped and moved on a dolly or skid board, which are less expensive to pack and transport.

Insurance Costs

The cost of insurance is usually free for instruments valued at $5,000 or less. But pros may charge you $10 to $15 for every additional $1,000 value if it's worth more.

Rush and Rescheduling Fees

The cost of rush jobs is typically a $300 additional fee locally and around $400 to $700 for long-distance. This extra fee makes up for the additional effort and accommodations required to fit you into their schedule. The fee to reschedule a move costs up to $400. Pros charge this fee if a homeowner isn’t at the pickup or delivery location when they arrive.

Piano Tuning Costs

The cost of tuning a piano is between $100 and $150. The instrument's delicate parts will inevitably be disturbed through shaking and changes in climate and humidity. Re-tuning is essential after the pros safely place your piano in its new location.

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Humidity Control

Humidity control costs are included with the service. A reputable company will provide a climate-controlled truck so there won't be a dramatic change in humidity. If humidity fluctuations occur, the piano soundboards can swell or shrink, causing tuning issues or cracking the wood. Climate-controlled transportation is vital to preserving the integrity of your valued instrument. The cost to move additional items averages a $20 flat rate per item or $1 per pound. Piano benches are common items added to the trip for the sake of convenience and cohesiveness.

Storage

Piano storage costs between $50 and $75 per month in a climate-controlled space. This is a necessary step if you need to safely store your instrument if its new home isn't ready.

Flat Rate vs. Per Hour

Professional piano movers can bill you by the hour or at a flat rate. Piano removal and delivery cost around $8 to $15 per hour per person or a flat rate between $100 and $2,000 based on the instrument's size and weight. If they charge by the hour, a minimum hourly payment is often required. This can get expensive if unforeseen complications happen, which add work hours to the minimum. And as the weight and dimensions increase, so do the labor and price of delivery. It's more common for pros to charge a flat rate based on the following:

Instrument type

Length and width

Distance from the original location to the destination

Overall job difficulty

You're likely to be better off going with an hourly rate for short distances. However, you'll likely get a better price at a flat rate over long distances. Additionally, with an agreed-upon flat rate, there won't be any surprises at the end of the journey.

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