Why Finding the Cheapest Way to Move a Piano Matters

The cheapest way to move a piano involves a careful calculation that balances upfront costs with the significant risk of expensive, irreversible damage. While a DIY move might seem like the most economical choice on the surface—renting a truck for $20-$40 per day plus mileage and equipment for another $50-$100—the potential for disaster is extremely high. One misstep, one slip, or one poorly secured strap can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs for the piano, your home, or even costly medical bills.

In stark contrast, hiring a professional moving piano service for a local move in the Chicago area typically costs between $250 and $600. This all-inclusive price not only covers the physical labor but also the strategic planning, specialized equipment, a trained crew, and crucial insurance coverage. This comprehensive approach offers the best overall value and, most importantly, peace of mind.

Moving a piano is not a simple task; it’s a specialized skill. These beautiful instruments are deceptively heavy, weighing anywhere from 300 to over 1,400 pounds, with a delicate internal mechanism of over 12,000 moving parts. Improper handling can crack the soundboard, damage the pin block, or warp the frame, causing permanent harm. Whether you’re moving across the street in Chicago, relocating from Melrose Park to another city in Illinois, or undertaking a long-distance move out of state, understanding the true costs involved is essential to protecting your investment.

I’m Mina Georgalas, owner of Bernard Movers. With nearly 30 years of experience in the moving industry, I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of DIY piano moves gone wrong. I’ve witnessed family heirlooms destroyed by well-intentioned but ill-equipped attempts to save a few hundred dollars. This guide is designed to break down the real costs of each method, helping you make an informed decision to move your valuable instrument safely and without breaking the bank—or your back.

Finding the Cheapest Way to Move a Piano: DIY vs. Professional

While a DIY piano move seems like the most budget-friendly option at first glance, it’s crucial to understand the full scope of hidden costs and substantial risks before you recruit friends and rent a truck.

The DIY Approach: Is it Really the Cheapest Way to Move a Piano?

A do-it-yourself move appears cost-effective, but the initial savings can quickly evaporate when faced with unexpected expenses and consequences.

DIY Costs and Risks:

• Rental Costs: Expect to pay for a truck with a ramp ($20-$40/day plus mileage fees, which can add up quickly), and specialized Piano Moving Equipment like a heavy-duty appliance dolly, furniture straps, and thick moving blankets ($50-$100). These are not optional.
• Personal Injury: Pianos are notoriously heavy with an unpredictable center of gravity. Attempting to move one without proper training is a recipe for disaster. Common injuries include herniated discs from improper lifting techniques, severe back sprains, and even crushed fingers or broken bones if the piano slips. The resulting medical bills and time off work will far exceed any potential savings.
• Property Damage: Your home is also at risk. Imagine a deep gouge in your hardwood floors, a cracked door frame from a tight corner, or a large hole in the drywall. Repairing this type of damage can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, completely negating the financial benefit of a DIY move.
• Piano Damage: The internal workings of a piano are a complex system. A hard jolt can crack the cast-iron plate, dislodge hammers, or damage the pin block, rendering the piano untunable. External damage to the wood finish, legs, or lyre (pedals) is also common and expensive to repair professionally.

To try and cut costs, you might search for used supplies on sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp. However, even with free or discounted supplies, the immense potential for financial loss from injury or damage makes a DIY piano move a very risky gamble. For more tips on sourcing materials, you can check out this guide to moving supplies.

Hiring Professionals: The Safer, Stress-Free Option

For the vast majority of piano owners, hiring professionals is the safest, most reliable, and ultimately most cost-effective approach. This is especially true for moves within the unique architectural landscape of Chicago and its suburbs like Evanston or Park Ridge. Unlike general movers who may treat a piano like any other piece of heavy furniture, specialized piano movers like Bernard Movers possess the specific tools, training, and knowledge required for the job.

Benefits of Professionals:

• Expertise and Equipment: We use specialized piano boards (skids) that the instrument is strapped to, allowing it to be moved smoothly and safely on its side. Our heavy-duty, non-marring dollies protect your floors, and our strategic use of ramps and lifting straps allows us to navigate obstacles with precision.
• Insurance Coverage: Professional movers are required to offer basic liability coverage (Released Value Protection), but for a valuable instrument, we strongly recommend Full Value Protection. This premium coverage ensures that in the unlikely event of damage, your piano will be repaired, replaced, or you will receive a cash settlement for its full value. This level of protection is something a DIY move simply cannot offer.
• Local Experience: Our crews are experts at what they do. They are intimately familiar with navigating the tight stairwells, narrow hallways, and challenging layouts common in Chicago’s historic homes and apartment buildings, from Wilmette to Skokie.
• Peace of Mind: The value of knowing your cherished instrument is in experienced, capable hands cannot be overstated. This eliminates immense stress and frees you to focus on other aspects of your move, making professional services the true cheapest way to move a piano when all factors are considered.

When searching for Local Piano Movers, it is always wise to get multiple quotes. Contact us with your piano’s type, the move distance, and a description of any obstacles (like stairs or tight turns) for an accurate and transparent Piano Moving Company Price.

Cost Breakdown: What to Expect for Your Piano Move in Illinois

Professional services provide transparent pricing that covers the necessary expertise, equipment, and insurance. Here is a general breakdown of what you can expect for a Moving a Piano Cost in the Chicago metropolitan area:

Average Costs for Piano Moves in Illinois:

Note: These are average ranges. Actual costs may vary based on the specific factors of your move.

Key Cost Factors:
Several elements will influence the final price of your piano move:

• Piano Size and Type: The cost is directly related to the piano’s weight and complexity. A small spinet or console piano is more straightforward to move than a towering professional upright. A baby grand requires partial disassembly, while a 9-foot concert grand requires a larger crew, more complex disassembly, and more space in the truck, all of which increase the cost.
• Stairs: Navigating stairs is one of the most challenging aspects of moving a piano. Expect an additional fee per step or per flight of stairs, typically ranging from $2-$10 per step. A straight flight is less complex than a curved staircase or one with a tight landing, which requires more time and manpower to pivot the instrument safely.
• Obstacles: Any difficult access points can increase the cost. This includes tight 90-degree turns in a hallway, low-hanging light fixtures, the need to traverse a soft lawn or gravel path to the truck, or navigating multiple doors.
• Distance: Long-distance moves are typically priced based on mileage and weight, while local moves are often quoted at a flat rate or an hourly rate.
• Special Handling: In rare cases where a piano cannot be moved through stairways or doors, hoisting it with a crane through a window or over a balcony is the last resort. This is a highly specialized service requiring permits and coordination, which can cost anywhere from $750 to $2,000 or more.
• Insurance: While basic liability is included, opting for Full-Value Protection will add to the total cost but provides comprehensive protection for your investment.

Your Complete Piano Moving Checklist

Whether you ultimately choose a DIY move or hire professionals, thorough preparation is the key to a safe and successful outcome.

Pre-Move Prep: Setting the Stage for a Smooth Move

Proper planning is the first line of defense for protecting your instrument, your property, and yourself.

• Know Your Piano: Identify your piano’s type to better understand its weight and specific needs. Upright pianos (Spinet, Console, Studio) typically weigh 300-800 lbs, while Grand pianos can range from 500 to over 1,400 lbs. Look for the manufacturer’s name, model, and serial number, often found inside the lid. Providing this information to movers helps them give you a more accurate quote and prepare the right equipment.
• Plan Your Path: Use a tape measure to get the exact dimensions of the piano and every doorway, hallway, and stairwell it will pass through. Remember to account for turning radius. Clear the entire path completely—remove rugs, tables, pictures on the wall, and any other potential obstructions. Don’t forget to look up for low-hanging light fixtures.
• Protect Surfaces: Protect your home by laying down cardboard, Masonite sheets, or thick blankets to protect floors from scratches and dents. Use padding or corner guards on doorways and walls to prevent scuffs.
• Prepare the Piano: Close and lock the keyboard lid. If it doesn’t lock, secure it shut. Then, wrap the entire piano in thick, high-quality moving blankets, making sure every surface is covered. Secure the blankets with stretch wrap or packing tape, but never apply tape directly to the piano’s wood finish, as it can cause permanent damage. For more details, see our guide on How to Pack a Piano for Moving.

Execution: The Safest Way to Handle Your Piano

The physical moving process requires immense strength, precise coordination, and the correct professional-grade tools.

Moving an Upright Piano:
The best way to move an upright piano involves using heavy-duty lifting straps to safely lift and position it onto a four-wheel piano dolly. Once on the dolly, it should be secured with ratchet straps. A team of at least 3-4 strong, coordinated individuals is needed to guide and balance it carefully, especially around corners, over thresholds, and up the truck ramp.

Moving a Grand Piano:
A grand piano must be disassembled for safe moving. This is a delicate operation best left to professionals. The process involves carefully removing the lyre (pedal assembly), followed by the piano lid. Then, the team will detach the leg on the straight side, gently lower the piano’s body onto a padded, specialized piano board, and remove the remaining two legs. The entire unit is then meticulously wrapped and secured for transport. This is a complex task for those experienced in Grand Piano Removal.

Navigating Stairs and Securing in the Truck:
Stairs pose the greatest risk of injury and damage and are best handled by a professional crew with the right equipment and experience. Once the piano is inside the moving truck, it must be positioned correctly. It should always be placed against the front wall (closest to the cab), which is the most stable and secure position. It should be padded with blankets and firmly anchored to the truck’s interior walls using multiple ratchet straps to prevent any movement—forward, backward, or side-to-side—during transit. Learn more about How to Secure a Piano in a Moving Truck.

Post-Move Care and Final Analysis

The job isn’t finished once the piano is inside its new home. Proper post-move care is essential.

• Acclimation and Tuning: The wood, felt, and metal components of your piano are sensitive to their environment. Moving it from a warm house to a cold truck and into a new space with different temperature and humidity levels causes these materials to expand and contract, which will throw the piano out of tune. Allow your piano to acclimate to its new environment for at least two to four weeks before scheduling a tuning. Tuning it too soon is a waste of money, as it won’t hold. A professional tuning typically costs $100-$150. You can find reputable local tuners in Illinois by asking music stores or your piano teacher for recommendations.
• Inspect Upon Arrival: Before the moving crew leaves, you should thoroughly unwrap and inspect your piano. Look for any new scratches, dents, or damage to the finish, legs, and corners. Check that the pedals function correctly. If you find any issues, document them with photos immediately and notify the moving company’s office to initiate an insurance claim if necessary.
• Final Verdict: So, what is the cheapest way to move a piano? While a DIY move has a lower upfront cost on paper, the enormous risk of catastrophic damage to the piano, your property, or yourself makes it a false economy. A professional move in Illinois, costing between $250 and $600, includes a trained crew, specialized equipment, insurance, and invaluable peace of mind.

When you factor in your time, your safety, and the security of your valuable instrument, hiring experts like Bernard Movers is unequivocally the most cost-effective and intelligent solution. Our deep expertise in Piano Moving ensures your instrument arrives at its new home in the exact condition it left. We are also fully equipped for the best way to move a piano long distance.

We offer a 20% additional discount on moves to Georgia and Florida booked for delivery by March 15, 2025. Contact us for a quote on your Illinois piano move today!