Piano is one of the most important instruments in the world of music. Despite its timeless appeal, the piano has a reputation for being delicate. It is no secret that moving a piano is a difficult task. What is more, this delicacy comes with a heavy price tag when it comes to moving. The combination of weight, size, and complex components makes transporting a piano an expensive effort.
Moving a piano is not the same as moving a couch since it requires special techniques, professional service, and complex tools and resources to move it from one place to another. If you are worried about the costs and tips and whether all of this is worth it or not, then worry not. In this blog, we will cover everything that you need to know in this regard.
How Much Do Piano Movers Charge?
The cost of relocating a piano most of the time is dependent on the type of piano being relocated, the distance it is being moved to, and the difficulty that the removal may cause.
Local piano moving services for an upright piano can cost roughly between the range of 150 to $500. The more challenging relocations which include a grand piano, more or less stairs, or greater distances include prices between $500 and $1,000. In this case, the growing cost can be quite significant. Here is a breakdown:
• Upright Pianos: These are usually the easiest to displace and move cost-wise, costing no more than $150 to $400 in the area.
• Grand Pianos: These are hard to move around because of their large size and heavy weight, which leads to a price range of $500-$1,000 for local moves within the city.
• Long-Distance Moves: If you are out of the state or even further expect to be paying more upwards of 1,000 going up depending on the distance and extra services required.
Are Piano Movers Worth Tipping and How Much Should You Tip Them?
When hiring people who specialize in moving pianos, one of the reasons why these professionals may be able to do their job effectively is because they are well familiar with their line of work. So, if you decide to hire professionals, it is highly recommended to give a tip for their services. One of the general rules of thumb when tipping piano movers is to give between $20-$40 per mover.
Tips may sometimes vary due to various reasons such as the degree of the difficulty of the task. For instance, if you are hiring a worker to move a grand piano from one structure to another, you can focus on the higher end of the scale and give them upwards of $50 or even $100. This ultimately works out because they are your property and are being looked after whilst maintaining a smooth muscle memory.
Some people might ask whether using the services of a piano mover is worth it or if they can do it themselves with the help of family and friends. The expenses of hiring a professional piano mover may not be for everyone, but this is not an issue as they are professionals so once again do recommend using their services.
A few of the reasons why people recommend using the services of a piano mover are because:
- Expertise: they are trained professionals who have a great amount of knowledge and
experience in dealing with piano movers and how to properly transport them. Also,
they know the ins and outs of the underlying mechanics of the piano and how to best protect it as well.
- Mover’s Equipment: It includes custom-made dolly, ramps, and padding for safe
transportation which movers provide. These aren’t items which one usually has in their possession and trying to and trying to move a piano without the proper equipment can result in serious damage.
How Much Does Transporting a Piano Cost?
Several factors contribute to the cost of piano moving. However, these are the general estimates depending on the distance of the move.
- Short Distance: Moving an upright, will cost $150 to $500, and moving a grand piano
would cost $500 to $1000.
- Long Distance: It can cost between $1000- $2000 to shift the piano from one state to
another or from one country to another. The cost increases depending on the distance and complexity of the task.
The extra services: If the piano needs to be shifted from a location that is hard to move it
out, or if it requires special care, including climate-controlled transport, it all adds to the cost.
Why Is Moving a Piano So Expensive?
There are several reasons why piano relocation has a large cost associated with it:
• Heavy Weight and Size: Pianos, especially grand pianos, are extremely heavy and large. The weight of an upright piano varies from 300 to 500 pounds and a grand piano from 500 to more than 1000 pounds. This is an effort that takes a high amount of strength, accuracy, and time to accomplish.
• Specialized Skills and Equipment: Piano movers are fully trained professionals who employ the appropriate equipment, including padded carpets, ramps, dollies, and cranes. This software and the skills necessary for using it correctly are responsible for the relatively high cost.
• Risk of Damage: Pianos are delicate instruments. Slight damage to wood or strings can have a huge impact on tone and monetary value. From the standpoint of the professional movers, they know how to protect and secure the piano while in transit to minimize any damage.
• Insurance: The majority of professional companies piano moving companies provide insurance options to the piano during the move. This kind of coverage guarantees that if anything goes wrong at the time of relocation, it will be reimbursed to you, but comes with an increase in the cost of the relocation.
Conclusion
Moving a piano is not something to undertake lightly, and though it may come at a price, it is worthwhile to obtain the safe arrival of your piano at its new location. Professional piano movers supply the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to carry and protect your instrument, as well as prevent damage to your home and your safety. When you weigh the potential damage, the level of specialized equipment, and the difficulty of the task, the price of piano transport is completely justifiable.
At Juvi’s Delivery Services LLC, we specialize in moving delicate and costly instruments like pianos with the utmost care. Our team, consisting of professional, as well as affordable, rates, guarantees that your cherished upright or grand piano is moved safely and securely.
Call us today at Juvi’s Delivery Services LLC to schedule your piano move!