What Is Piano Moving Equipment? (And What Do You Need Right Now?)
Piano moving equipment is a set of specialized tools designed to safely transport heavy, awkward, and fragile pianos—protecting both the instrument and your home. If you need a fast answer, here’s a concise list of the essentials most movers and professionals recommend:
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Piano Dolly | Rolls upright pianos safely across floors |
| Skid Board (Piano Board) | Secures and slides grand pianos |
| Moving Straps | Stabilizes and lifts with control |
| Moving Blankets & Pads | Prevents scratches and dents |
| Floor Protection (Runners, Caps) | Shields floors from scuffs |
| Gloves | Improves grip & avoids hand injuries |
| Ramp | Loads piano into a truck with less risk |
Quick Tip:
For a basic upright piano (300–800 lbs), you’ll typically need a heavy-duty dolly, straps, and moving pads. For a grand or baby grand (up to 1,400 lbs), add a skid board, specialized straps, and leg dollies.
“Pianos are one of the most challenging items to move, even for the most experienced mover.”
I’m Mina Georgalas, owner of Bernard Movers. With nearly 30 years in the industry and hands-on experience moving all types of pianos, I know exactly how proper piano moving equipment ensures safety and peace of mind. Let’s look at what makes moving a piano so unique—and which tools will make your move as smooth as possible.
Terms related to piano moving equipment:
– how to make a piano moving dolly
– how to disassemble an upright piano for moving
– how to pack an upright piano for moving
Why Moving a Piano Is Unlike Moving Anything Else
Moving a piano is nothing like sliding a couch across the room. These instruments weigh anywhere from 300 to 1,400 lbs, are top-heavy, and hide thousands of fragile parts. A small jolt can crack the soundboard, warp the action, or gouge hardwood floors—repairs that dwarf the cost of proper gear.
Types of Pianos & Their Unique Demands
- Upright pianos keep most of their weight in the back. They ride best on a heavy-duty dolly.
- Grand and baby grand pianos must have their legs and pedals removed, then be tipped onto a padded skid board.
- Spinets and consoles are lighter but still awkward; balance issues make a stable dolly mandatory.
- Digital pianos need shock protection and a snug platform to shield electronics from vibration and moisture.
Key Challenges Movers Face
Bulk, uneven weight distribution, delicate legs, narrow hallways, stairs, and even humidity swings all raise the stakes. The right piano moving equipment is what turns those hazards into a predictable, safe job.
Essential Piano Moving Equipment
When 600 lbs of wood and steel need to travel across your living room—and maybe up a ramp into a truck—only purpose-built tools will do. Here are the essentials every pro (and well-prepared DIYer) relies on:
| Equipment | What It Is | Typical Use | Load Capacity | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piano Dolly | 4-wheeled cart, padded | Upright pianos, spinets | Up to 1,000 lbs | $375–$950 |
| Skid Board | Padded wooden board | Grand pianos, stairs | Up to 1,000 lbs | $200–$350 |
| Dual Trucks | 2 dollies (one per end) | Large pianos, solo moves | 800–1,000 lbs | $500–$800 |
| Lifting Straps | 2″ webbing with buckles | All piano types | 800–2,500 lbs | $21–$50 |
| Moving Blankets | Thick padded covers | All piano types | N/A | $16–$60 |
| Floor Runners | Neoprene/plastic strips | All piano types | N/A | $20–$80 |
| Hump Straps | Heavy-duty lifting straps | Over obstacles | 800–1,000 lbs | $30–$50 |
| Gloves | Non-slip, padded gloves | All piano types | N/A | $10–$25 |
| Ramp | Metal/wooden incline | Truck loading/unloading | 1,000+ lbs | $150–$300 |
Want more details? See our guide to packing an upright piano.
Piano Dolly vs Piano Skid Board: What’s the Difference?
A piano dolly keeps uprights vertical and maneuverable on four wheels. A skid board is a padded “toboggan” that lets you tip a grand on its side, strap it tight, and either slide it or pair it with a dolly for stairs and tight spaces. Get the wrong one and you risk tipping—or worse, snapping a leg.
Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Model
Measure your piano and verify the equipment’s weight rating first. Indoors, hard-rubber wheels work fine; yards or old sidewalks call for pneumatic tires. Adjustable dollies or fitted platforms protect odd-size uprights and digital keyboards. Feeling handy? Our DIY dolly guide walks you through a build step by step.
Specialized Gear for Upright vs Grand Pianos
Upright Piano Moving Equipment
The hero here is the upright piano dolly with thick padding and non-marking wheels. In tight spaces, a tilt-back cart helps you pivot through doorways, while clip-on stair rollers turn each step into a controlled glide. Add floor runners and corner guards, and you’ve covered every common hazard.
Need to pull panels first? See our upright disassembly guide.
Grand Piano Moving Equipment
Grands demand more gear:
- Grand skid board – heavily padded platform for tipping the body on its side.
- Leg dollies – tiny wheeled shoes that protect and transport each leg after removal.
- Piano jack – raises the body safely for leg removal or board placement.
- Grand straps – extra-long webbing that wraps around the entire case.
- Rough-terrain dollies – pneumatic tires for outdoor moves.
Want to see what pros use? Check out this 6′ Piano Board.
Step-by-Step Guide: Putting Your Piano Moving Equipment to Work
Now comes the moment of truth—putting all that piano moving equipment to work. Whether you’re tackling this yourself or want to understand what the pros do, here’s how a successful piano move unfolds from start to finish.
Preparing the Piano & Home
The secret to a smooth move starts long before you touch the piano. Measure your route first—and I mean everything. Check every doorway, hallway width, and stair clearance. You’d be amazed how many moves get stuck because someone forgot about that narrow bathroom door or the low-hanging light fixture.
Next, it’s time for disassembly. For grand pianos, you’ll need to remove the lid, pedal lyre, and legs—each piece should be wrapped in moving blankets and clearly labeled. Upright pianos are simpler; just take off the music rack and, if space is tight, consider removing the front panel.
Wrapping comes next, and this is where many DIY moves go wrong. Use thick moving blankets and cover every surface, paying extra attention to corners and the keyboard area. Secure everything with tape or stretch wrap, but never put tape directly on the piano’s finish.
Don’t forget your home needs protection too. Lay down floor runners along the entire path, install door jamb protectors, and clear away anything that could trip up your team. Trust me, a $20 floor runner can save you hundreds in hardwood repairs.
Finally, gather your team. Four people is the sweet spot for most piano moves—any fewer and you’re risking injury, any more and you’re just getting in each other’s way.
For more detailed prep steps, check out our complete piano moving guide.
Safe Loading, Transport & Unloading
Here’s where your piano moving equipment really earns its keep. Start with proper lifting technique—bend those knees, keep backs straight, and communicate every move. Use lifting straps for better control and to distribute weight evenly across your team.
The ramp is your best friend when loading into the truck. A sturdy, low-incline ramp turns a dangerous lift into a controlled roll. Take your time here—rushing this step is how accidents happen.
Once inside the truck, securing the piano properly is crucial. Strap it tightly to the wall rails or E-track system, and place thick pads or blankets between the piano and truck walls. The goal is zero movement during transport—even small vibrations can knock a piano out of tune or damage internal parts.
Unloading reverses the process, but don’t let your guard down just because you’re almost done. The same care and communication that got the piano into the truck needs to get it safely into its new home.
After you’ve moved the piano to its final spot, reassemble all the parts you removed earlier. Double-check that legs are secure and the lid closes properly. Then comes the waiting game—let the piano acclimate for a few days before scheduling a tuning. Wood and strings need time to adjust to their new environment.
Curious about the science behind safe manual handling? This research on pushing and pulling loads offers fascinating insights into proper lifting techniques.
Advanced Tools & When to Hire Professionals
Sometimes, a piano move is more like an trip—a narrow staircase here, a sharp turn there, or maybe even a landing on an upper floor. That’s when basic piano moving equipment just isn’t enough. When the path gets tough, it’s time to bring out the big guns (and sometimes call in the big brains, too).
For anything involving stairs, tight turns, or upper-level deliveries, specialized gear makes all the difference. Stair-climbing dollies—either manual or motorized—are designed to take the weight and effort out of climbing steps, making it safer for both your piano and your back. If you’re moving a large upright or grand, you might see movers using dual-carry trucks—basically, two separate dollies that split the load across both ends of the piano for extra stability and control.
And sometimes, there’s just no safe way to squeeze a piano through a hallway or stairwell. In these cases, professionals will use a window hoist or crane to gently lift the piano through a balcony or large window. It might look dramatic, but it’s often the safest and most reliable choice for tricky buildings or historic homes.
Let’s not forget about insurance. Moving a piano up or down multiple floors (or in and out of windows) isn’t just difficult, it’s risky—both for your instrument and your property. Professional movers always make sure your piano is covered, so you can focus on the music, not the “what ifs.”
If you’re debating whether to tackle the move yourself or bring in the experts, here are a few things to weigh. Ask yourself about your own skill level—if you haven’t moved a piano before, it’s easy to underestimate the challenge. Look at your costs for equipment rental: adding up dollies, straps, boards, and pads can sometimes rival the price of hiring pros who already own the best gear. And don’t forget the value of your piano—for antiques, heirlooms, or valuable grands, it’s always smarter to trust experienced hands instead of risking expensive (and sometimes heartbreaking) damage.
Finally, think about your time and stress levels. A DIY piano move takes careful planning, teamwork, and muscle. Professional movers get the job done faster, safer, and with a lot less worry (or sweat).
If you need some extra help—whether it’s equipment, advice, or a full-service team—check out our local piano movers page or browse specialized piano moving equipment to see what’s available.
When in doubt, remember: it’s always better to protect your instrument, your home, and yourself. Sometimes, calling in the pros is the smartest move you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions about Piano Moving Equipment
Moving a piano can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out what gear you need and how much it’ll cost. Here are the questions I hear most often from customers—along with the honest answers that’ll help you make the right choice.
What safety gear do movers need?
Safety first, always. I’ve seen too many preventable injuries over the years, and most happen because someone skipped the basics.
Start with non-slip, padded gloves—your hands are your most important tools, and you need a solid grip on something this heavy. Steel-toe shoes or sturdy work boots are non-negotiable. One dropped corner can break toes, and piano legs have a mind of their own.
Back support belts help remind you to lift properly, though they’re not magic. Good lifting technique matters more than any belt. If you’re working in tight spaces like basements or attics, grab some eye protection—dust, cobwebs, and low-hanging obstacles are real hazards.
Long sleeves might seem like overkill, but they’ll save your arms from scrapes when you’re navigating tight doorways. Trust me, moving a piano through a narrow hallway is like threading a very heavy, very expensive needle.
How do I secure a piano inside a moving truck?
This is where many DIY moves go wrong. A piano that shifts during transport can damage itself, your truck, or both.
Use ratchet straps or E-track cam buckle straps rated for at least 800–1,000 lbs—don’t cheap out here. The straps should secure the piano tightly to the truck’s side rails, with no wiggle room whatsoever. If it can move even an inch, it’s not secure enough.
Moving pads go under and around the piano to absorb road vibrations. Think of them as shock absorbers for your instrument. The piano should be snug against one wall of the truck, not floating in the middle of the cargo area.
Keep other heavy items well away from your piano during transit. I’ve seen boxes shift and slam into pianos, causing expensive damage that could’ve been easily avoided.
How much does professional piano moving equipment cost?
The numbers might surprise you—quality piano moving equipment isn’t cheap, but it’s a lot less expensive than replacing a damaged piano or fixing your floors.
A heavy-duty piano dolly runs $375–$1,000, with adjustable and rough-terrain models at the top end. Piano skid boards cost $200–$350, while moving straps are more affordable at $21–$50 per set. Moving blankets range from $16–$60 each, and you’ll need several.
If you’re facing stairs, a stair-climbing dolly can cost $500–$1,500 or more. For most people, renting makes more sense—expect to pay $50–$200 per day per item.
Here’s the thing: buying all this gear for a one-time move often costs more than hiring professionals. And remember, investing in the right tools is much less expensive than repairing a cracked soundboard or replacing your hardwood floors.
Conclusion
Moving a piano isn’t just about having strong arms—it’s about having the right piano moving equipment and knowing how to use it. Whether you’re dealing with a delicate baby grand or a sturdy upright, the right dolly, skid board, straps, and protective gear make all the difference between a successful move and a costly disaster.
Every piece of equipment serves a purpose. Piano dollies keep uprights stable and rolling smoothly. Skid boards let you safely tip and transport grands. Moving blankets and floor runners protect both your instrument and your home. And quality lifting straps can save your back while giving you the control you need.
The investment in proper gear—whether you buy, rent, or hire professionals who have it all—pays for itself the moment you avoid that first scratch, dent, or injury. Your piano has likely been a treasured part of your home for years. It deserves to arrive at its new home in perfect condition.
If you’re planning a move to Georgia or Florida, we’d love to help make it happen. Bernard Movers is offering a 20% additional discount for moves booked by March 15, 2025. That’s our way of helping you invest in quality gear or professional service while keeping more money in your pocket.
Whether you decide to tackle the move yourself or call in the pros, the most important thing is that your piano—and your peace of mind—stay protected throughout the journey.
Ready to make your move the right way? Learn more about our piano moving services.
Bernard Movers: Serving Chicago, Melrose Park, and the greater Illinois area (plus Europe).
Let’s move your piano safely—together.