Best Piano Movers (2024)
When you buy a new home, you either have to leave your piano behind or find a way to relocate it. Upright pianos aren’t easy to move or load onto a truck and often take several sets of hands, specialized dollies, and careful planning. You can hire a professional piano mover to save your back and relocate your instrument safely. We reviewed 33+ moving providers, compiled a list of the best moving companies, and handpicked the best piano moving services.
The Best Piano Movers
Based on our in-depth methodology and 500+ hours of research, these are our top picks for piano moving companies:
Compare the Top Piano Moving Companies
Here is how each piano mover compares:
Our Pick
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#1 out of 10 companies | #2 out of 10 companies | #3 out of 10 companies | #4 out of 10 companies | #5 out of 10 companies | #6 out of 10 companies | #7 out of 10 companies | |
A+ | A+ | B | A+ | B+ | A+ | A+ | |
FMCSA Licensing |
Carrier | Carrier | Broker | Carrier | Broker | Carrier/Broker | Carrier/Broker |
Average Price* |
$5,250 | $5,625 | $5,054 | $7,171 | $4,683 | $5,969 | $5,370 |
Deposit Required |
Up to 25% | Up to 50% | Up to 33% | $250 | Varies | None | None |
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Summary |
We recommend International Van Lines (IVL) if you want the most moving service options possible. The company boasts one of the most extensive moving service catalogs at highly competitive rates. |
We recommend American Van Lines if you’re moving high-end items or antiques because it focuses on training its staff to move difficult and valuable items. |
We recommend Interstate Moving & Relocation Group as a reputable broker if you need to move quickly. The company’s customer service is prompt, and its broker network helps you find a vetted mover fast. |
We recommend JK Moving Services for its ability to offer financing options through its partnership with Enhancify and its high-end, white-glove packing services. |
We recommend Moving APT because of its highly rated customer service and its ability to quickly provide you with multiple quotes for its partner companies. |
We recommend North American Van Lines (NAVL) as the best long-distance mover overall because of its customizable insurance packages, highly rated customer service, and extensive service options. |
We recommend Allied if you want to ship a vehicle due to the company’s in-house vehicle relocation services. |
Rating Categories |
International Van Lines | American Van Lines | Interstate Moving & Relocation Group | JK Moving Services | Moving APT | North American Van Lines | Allied Van Lines |
Customer Service |
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Item Protection |
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Scheduling |
Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Estimate Info | Visit Site |
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A+ | $2,500–$4,300 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | $3,200–$3,500 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
B- | $6,300–$7,500 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
B | $2,800–$4,000 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
B | $2,968–$5,668 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | $7,550 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | $4,700–$5,350 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | $4,730–$5,380 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | $5,169–$7,003 | GET ESTIMATE | ||
A+ | Contact for Pricing | GET ESTIMATE |
Our Reviews of the Best Piano Movers
How To Find a Piano Mover
We’ve outlined our recommended steps for finding a quality piano moving company that matches your budget and needs:
- Research: Begin your search by researching piano moving companies in your area. Look online. Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or music professionals. Look for companies with a proven track record in piano moving. Experience matters, as pianos are delicate and heavy instruments requiring specialized handling. We recommend checking popular online review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to get insight into each company’s customer service.
- Verify credentials: Ensure the piano mover is properly licensed and insured. This demonstrates their commitment to professionalism and offers financial protection in case of any damage or accidents during the move.
- Obtain multiple quotes: Reach out to several piano movers to request detailed quotes. Compare the estimates, keeping in mind that the lowest price is not always the best choice. A reputable company may charge more due to their expertise.
- Ask about equipment and techniques: Inquire about the mover’s equipment and techniques. A professional piano mover should have specialized tools such as piano boards and dollies to ensure a safe and damage-free move.
- Discuss insurance coverage: Clarify the extent of insurance coverage provided by the mover. Ensure it includes your piano’s full value to guarantee compensation in the event of an accident.
- Review the bill: Before signing off on the move, carefully review the bill of lading, which is a document that outlines the service’s terms and conditions. Ensure all details and pricing align with what you’ve discussed with the mover.
Our Conclusion
Pianos are often cited as one of the most challenging items to move. A professional piano mover eliminates this stress. Based on our analysis, International Van Lines’ movers are among the best for transporting instruments of all sizes, from spinets to grand pianos. The company handles pianos with care, taking the necessary measures to avoid damaging the housing or other components.
American Van Lines is notable for the attention its experienced movers give fragile items such as pianos. It uses climate-controlled storage to ensure humidity doesn’t warp your instrument. Interstate Moving and Relocation Group is another solid choice for piano moving. It allows you to compare multiple carriers and select the one you trust most with your piano. We recommend requesting quotes from at least three moving companies before making a deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Movers
Do you need a professional mover to move a piano?
You need a professional mover to move a piano without putting yourself at risk or damaging your instrument. A trained and experienced mover knows how to protect, move, and transport a piano. Professional piano moving also ensures that the piano arrives at the destination on time.
What are the benefits of hiring a piano mover?
There are several benefits to hiring a piano mover. Professionals take care of the heavy lifting, helping you avoid potential injury. They also use established methods to protect the piano during the move so that you don’t have to worry about scratches or other damage.
Are pianos expensive to move?
Pianos are not expensive to move when considering the difficulty of moving such a bulky item. However, most movers will charge an additional fee.
What is the distance a piano can be moved?
A piano can be moved over any distance, depending on the moving company. Many movers offer custom crating for long-distance and international moves.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.