Grand piano moving in Chicago takes more than muscle — it takes a trained crew and the right equipment. At Bernard Movers, we handle grand piano moves across the city for homes, apartments, concert venues, and storage facilities. Whether you’re relocating a family heirloom or clearing a studio, we plan every detail before we lift a single leg. Book early — our piano crews fill up fast, especially during peak moving months.
If you’re planning a grand piano move in Chicago, crew size is the first thing to get right. A baby grand needs at least three movers. A full concert grand needs four to five. Weight alone ranges from 500 to 1,200 lbs depending on the instrument.
Chicago high-rises and vintage courtyard buildings add another layer. Tight elevator banks and narrow stairwells can require an extra crew member just to manage the skid board through a turn. One crew member directs the move while the others lift and guide — every role matters on a heavy instrument.
Grand pianos carry an irregular center of gravity. One wrong grip can crack a leg, damage the soundboard, or gouge your hardwood floors. No standard hand truck is built to carry one safely.
In neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Lakeview, greystone buildings often have narrow doorways and uneven floors — conditions that make a DIY attempt even riskier. Improper lifting puts stress on the plate and pin block, which are expensive to repair. Our crews at Bernard Movers carry liability coverage for both the instrument and your property.
Before your grand piano moves an inch, we disassemble it. The keyboard lid, music desk, and fallboard are secured or removed first. Then we unbolt each leg one at a time while the crew supports the body. The pedal lyre comes off last and gets wrapped separately.
Chicago winters make this prep phase especially important. We use thick padding and moving blankets to protect the finish from cold air and moisture during loading. Every part is labeled and travels with the instrument to the new location.
Disassembly typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on piano size and room layout.
Before the piano moves, we walk the full route — doorways, hallways, stairwells, and elevator dimensions. Our skid boards and dollies are sized for standard Chicago corridor widths. We pad elevator walls and lay floor protection before the instrument rolls in.
In neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Bucktown, two-flat layouts sometimes require window removal or a crane lift for oversized grand pianos. We’ve handled both. Most Chicago buildings also require a Certificate of Insurance before a move. Bernard Movers provides that documentation directly.
Once your piano is in position, our crew reattaches the legs, reconnects the pedal lyre, and confirms placement before we leave. You should check all four legs for level contact with the floor and test the pedal action before we go.
Chicago’s humidity swings — especially near the Lake — mean your piano needs time to adjust before tuning. Wait two to four weeks before scheduling a tuner. In the meantime, keep the piano away from exterior walls and heating vents to help it settle in.
Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and our numerous positive customer reviews reflect our commitment to providing exceptional service. Our clients trust Bernard Movers for their apartment moving Chicago and residential moving Chicago needs. Whether you’re relocating within Chicago or across state lines, we ensure a smooth and successful move every time.
Book at least one to two weeks out — more lead time is needed during the summer moving season when crews are in high demand across Chicago.
Bernard Movers provides a Certificate of Insurance for your building. HOA notifications are typically handled by the client — confirm requirements with your building management before move day.
Yes. We use padded blankets and climate-controlled trucks to protect the instrument. We avoid prolonged exposure to cold air during loading and unloading.
Yes. Legs, the pedal lyre, and all removed accessories are reinstalled before our crew departs.
Always — but wait a few weeks first. Give the piano time to adjust to the humidity levels in its new space before calling a tuner.
Yes, with the right crew size and stair-climbing equipment. Let us know the floor level and access details when you call so we can plan the right team.
