Piano relocation has many complicated moving parts and considerations that don’t come up during the typical residential move. As such, these moves require experienced specialists who can carefully prepare, package and transport this complex instrument to its new home. We’ve taken the hard work out of your research by handpicking the seven best piano moving companies nationwide.
Keep reading to learn about each company’s strengths and weaknesses so you can choose the best piano mover for your needs.
Our picks
American Van Lines: Best piano mover
All My Sons Moving & Storage: Best full-service piano mover
International Van Lines: Best for transparent pricing
Gentle Giant Moving Company: Best for professional musicians
Modern Piano Moving Company: Best climate-controlled trucks
Atlas Van Lines: Best overall moving company
JK Moving Services: Best for premium moves
American Van Lines: Best piano mover
Star rating: 4.8 out of 5
Online quote: No?
Number of insurance options: 2; can purchase third-party insurance
State availability: 48 states
Why we picked American Van Lines
American Van Lines is our best overall piano mover because it can move pianos of all sizes, has multiple insurance options and provides local, long-distance and international moving services. Specially trained movers can expertly disassemble and assemble the instrument if needed, and the company has climate-controlled trucks to ensure your piano arrives safely.
While American Van Lines would be our first pick in most situations, it may not fit everyone’s needs. For example, American Van Lines doesn’t ship outside the contiguous United States, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you’re hoping to get your piano to or from Alaska and Hawaii.
Who should use American Van Lines
American Van Lines is a good fit for piano owners moving within the contiguous United States. Because it offers GPS tracking, additional insurance options and specially trained employees, it can provide vital peace of mind if you have a sentimental attachment to your instrument.
Pros and cons of American Van Lines
Pros
- Accommodates piano shipping and full-service residential moving needs
- Offers rotating promotions for shipments between select cities
- Estimates call wait time online
Cons
- Doesn’t ship pianos outside the contiguous United States
- Has an after-hours emergency line
All My Sons Moving & Storage: Best full-service piano mover
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5
Online quote: No?
Number of insurance options: 2 (plus third-party options)
State availability: 46
Why we picked All My Sons
All My Sons Moving & Storage is our pick for the best full-service piano mover because it can accommodate last-minute bookings, offers a direct line to a company representative throughout the moving process and will go the extra mile to ensure the origin and delivery locations are neat after its services are complete. Like American Van Lines, All My Sons offers GPS tracking so you can watch your piano in transit. It can move all types of pianos from a small spinet to a bulky grand piano.
Unfortunately, All My Sons hasn’t kept up with its competitors’ technology improvements. Its website is clunky and difficult to navigate, so we recommend calling the company to request a quote and ask questions.
Who should use All My Sons
All My Sons Moving & Storage would be a great fit for customers who don’t have the luxury of scheduling in advance and are moving across a short distance. The company is also family-owned and operated, which can provide a more personalized experience than the larger van lines and moving providers.
Pros and cons of All My Sons Moving & Storage
Pros
- Offers same-day service for moves of 500 miles or less
- Assigns a personal moving representative to each booking
- White-glove services, such as assembly/disassembly, to tie up loose ends at the end of the moving process
Cons
- Doesn’t offer instant quotes
- Website has poor user experience
International Van Lines: Best for transparent pricing
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5
Online quote: No
Number of insurance options: 2
State availability: 50
Why we picked International Van Lines
International Van Lines stands out for its moving insurance. Insurance is often of the utmost importance because pianos are often high-value, limited production or sentimental to their owners. While many companies don’t make evaluating the specifics of their insurance options easy, International Van Lines breaks it down clearly. It also has accessible insurance forms and detailed explanations of claims requirements, including templates for inventory lists.
However, International Van Lines is both a carrier and nationwide broker, so it doesn’t service moves with its own employees, which can lead to inconsistent service quality depending on the assigned carrier.
Who should use International Van Lines
International Van Lines could be a worthwhile consideration for military personnel and senior citizens who may be able to find more competitive pricing due to the company’s discount options.
Pros and cons of International Van Lines
Pros
- Has plenty of resources, including moving checklists, to prepare your piano
- Offers virtual survey estimate options
- Discount options for military members and seniors
Cons
- Doesn’t have a mobile app
- Only offers in-house movers in select states otherwise, brokers with independent carriers
Gentle Giant Moving Company: Best for professional musicians
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5
Online quote: Yes (for small moves); No (for large/long-distance)?
Number of insurance options: 3
State availability: 48
Why we picked Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant Moving Company is a nationwide provider with a unique specialization for piano moving in the Boston metropolitan area. In 2010, it acquired Allston Piano Moving, an experienced family-owned piano moving business with established relationships and trained employees. As such, it is the preferred provider for prestigious music institutions across Boston, including Harvard University, the New England Conservatory of Music and the Boston Conservatory for Music.
Though Gentle Giant has a nationwide network of carriers for its other moving services, its piano services are restricted to Boston and New York, so it may not accommodate all needs.
Who should use Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant’s partnership with Allston Piano Movers makes it an ideal fit for professional musicians moving to or from New York or the greater Boston area. It can also provide rental services for musicians who don’t have easy access to their own instruments or still need to practice while their instruments are in transit.
Pros and cons of Gentle Giant Moving Company
Pros
- Partners directly with Allston Piano Movers
- Has proven experience with professional musicians from Harvard and other prestigious Boston conservatories
- Members of the Piano Technicians Guild
Cons
- Limits piano moving to the Boston area and New York state
- Restricts local moving services to specific cities
Modern Piano Moving Company: Best climate-controlled trucks
Star rating: 4.7 out of 5
Online quote: No
Number of insurance options: 1
State availability: 48
Why we picked Modern Piano Moving
Modern Piano Moving Company takes the expertise of a smaller provider like Allston and extends it to a nationwide audience. The full-service piano mover offers door-to-door service and indefinite climate-controlled storage. The company claims to have the largest network of professional piano movers in the contiguous United States. It also has knowledgeable full-time office staff and two-person teams who consistently work together to establish streamlined communication and efficient workflow.
While the website advertises an instant quote process, it’s misleading. You can instantly input your information to request a quote, but you’ll need to talk to a representative directly to receive pricing information.
Who should use Modern Piano Moving
Modern Piano Moving could be a good fit for piano owners who may need other piano services before, during or after the move. The company has a large network of affiliates who can help with repairs, tuning and other piano needs. It can also be a worthwhile consideration for musicians who need indefinite storage or help to coordinate a long-distance piano move.
Pros and cons of Modern Piano Moving
Pros
- Focuses solely on piano moving
- Trucks use climate control similar to food delivery
- No deductible insurance options
Cons
- Doesn’t offer additional moving services for personal belongings
- Doesn’t ship to Hawaii or Alaska
Atlas Van Lines: Overall moving company
Star rating: 4.5 out of 5
Online quote: No
Number of insurance options: 2
State availability: 50
Why we picked Atlas Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines earned its spot on this list because it’s our best overall moving company for residential relocations. It has specialty teams equipped to handle pianos of all shapes and sizes. Because Atlas is a larger company, it has the resources to service local, long-distance and international moves to 17 countries. It also has a mobile app, which makes it easier to track your instrument in transit, contact customer support, access documents and submit inventory lists.
While Atlas Van Lines isn’t a broker, it franchises to agents who can run the business independently. As such, it can be difficult to predict service quality, so we recommend looking up reviews for the specific location servicing your booking.
Who should use Atlas Van Lines
We’d recommend Atlas Van Lines to customers coordinating larger residential moves that include a piano. Piano owners who are moving internationally should also consider this provider.
Pros and cons of Atlas Van Lines
Pros
- Uses padded piano board to protect floors and instrument finish
- Offers a mobile app with built-in shipment tracking
- Services the entire U.S., plus Canada and 17 other countries
Cons
- Brokers moves with independent contractors
- Need to speak to a representative to request a quote
JK Moving Services: Best for premium moves
Star rating: 4.0 out of 5
Online quote: No?
Number of insurance options: 1
State availability: 50
Why we picked JK Moving
JK Moving Services has a reputation for providing high-quality long-distance moving services nationwide and local moving services in the Washington, D.C., area, a notoriously tricky area to hire moving help, according to our research. The company has a glowing reputation across popular review sites, maintaining an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and frequent positive reviews from past customers.
JK Moving Services also has tools to help you throughout the moving process. For example, you can use its AI assistant to complete a virtual survey for an accurate quote. It also has 24/7 customer service availability, and all employees are carefully screened.
Despite its glowing reviews, JK Moving Services lacks many resources and first-hand experiences for its piano moves, which may not instill as much confidence as the other companies on this list.
Who should use JK Moving
We’d recommend JK Moving Services to customers who want to keep their finances liquid throughout the moving process. Those who don’t have a lot of cash on hand to make a big purchase up-front may also like JK Moving Services because it offers low-interest financing options, a rarity in the moving industry.
Pros and cons of JK Moving Services
Pros
- Financing options
- Employees receive ongoing training year-round
- Sends 4 to 6 movers for pianos
Cons
- Doesn’t offer online quotes
- Doesn’t provide local moving services outside the DC metro area
Our picks at a glance
|
Our score
|
Types of pianos
|
States served
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| American Van Lines | 4.8 |
Grand pianos, vertical pianos, digital pianos, organs |
48 |
| All My Sons Moving & Storage | 4.7 |
Call to request |
50 |
| International Van Lines | 4.7 |
Call to request |
50 |
| Gentle Giant | 4.7 |
Player piano, spinet, upright, baby grand, concert grand |
48 |
| Modern Piano | 4.7 |
All via Allston Piano Movers |
48 |
| Atlas Van Lines | 4.5 |
Upright and spinet pianos, grand pianos |
50 |
| JK Moving Services | 4.0 |
Call to request |
50 |
What didn’t make the cut
There are a few companies, such as Sterling Van Lines, Suddath Relocation Systems and Mayflower, that appear in other best piano mover round-ups. Here’s why they didn’t earn a spot on ours:
- Sterling Van Lines: Offers climate-controlled storage options and services moves all around the globe but doesn’t have contents insurance protection
- Suddath Relocation Systems: Hires and trains specialized piano movers, but doesn’t have climate-controlled trucks or as many insurance options as the companies on this list?
- Mayflower: Includes full-value replacement coverage in all moves but doesn’t offer climate-controlled piano storage or assembly/disassembly.
How much does it cost to move a piano?
The cost of piano moving services varies widely because there are various types of pianos. For this article, the low price is for a small spinet piano (up to 47 inches tall), and the high cost is for a grand piano (up to 9 feet).
- Low cost: $135
- Average cost: $400
- High cost: $5,000
The above estimates are for a local move. Long-distance piano moves typically cost between $2.50 and $10 per mile.
Factors that influence the cost of moving a piano
No piano move is the same, so your costs may fall outside the above range. The following factors can influence your moving costs:
- Complexity: Buildings with many stairs, difficult parking situations or tight spaces can require additional equipment, manpower and coordination, which can increase costs.
- Demand: Supply and demand are big parts of dynamic pricing. You can expect higher prices if you are moving to or from an area with a high demand for piano moving services. You can mitigate this by moving outside of the peak moving season.
- Labor: Your selected piano mover will assign laborers to your move. The more laborers you need and the longer you need them, the more you can expect to pay.
- Moving distance: Long-distance and international moves require more fuel and labor to accomplish efficiently, whereas local moves are often completed on the same day.
- Type of piano: Larger and heavier pianos are more expensive to move than their compact counterparts.
- Added insurance: Adding enhanced insurance coverage to your move can provide valuable peace of mind, but it will increase costs.
Money-saving tips for moving a piano
If you have a scant budget, here are a few things you can do to reduce the costs of moving a piano:
- Avoid peak moving season. Due to school schedules and better weather, more people move during the summer months. Moving outside the peak moving season can result in lower prices.
- Plan in advance. Last-minute and rush bookings will often come with a premium price tag. Booking in advance can ensure you get the best price for your desired services.
- Request several quotes. Shopping around can help you find lower prices. Some moving companies even offer price-matching and other forms of negotiation to compete with others.
- Use your own supplies. Wrapping your piano yourself or providing your own supplies can reduce the cost of sourcing these from your hired moving help.
- Get a binding quote. Once you decide on a moving company, clarify whether your initial quote is binding. Binding quotes won’t change throughout the moving process, making it easier to stay on budget.
How to choose a piano mover
Piano movers aren’t one-size-fits-all, so comparing companies to ensure they meet your needs is always a good idea. Here are the most important factors to consider:
Availability
The best piano moving company in the country doesn’t mean much if it’s unavailable to service your needs. Contact various companies and book well in advance to ensure they can accommodate your desired pick-up and delivery dates.
Customer reviews
Any moving company can market itself as the best in the industry, but real-life customer reviews are must-have supporting evidence for these claims. We recommend reading customer reviews on reputable sites, such as TrustPilot, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and ConsumerAffairs, to assess each company’s service quality.
Location
pro tip
- Stick to 2–4-star reviews to get the most unbiased perspective, as 5-star reviews can be incentivized, and 1-star reviews may be exaggerated.
Location is among the most important factors to consider because you need to confirm that your chosen company can accommodate your origin and destination locations. For example, Gentle Giant Movers focuses solely on the East Coast, so it can accommodate a move from Boston to Miami, but it can’t accommodate a move from Boston to Kansas City. International Van Lines, on the other hand, services all 50 states.
Price
Moving services exist on a spectrum, and it’s not always best to choose the cheapest or most expensive option as price isn’t often indicative of quality. Shop around to discover the market rate for your desired services.
Specialization in your specific piano type
Pianos come in many shapes and sizes, and the best piano movers for a spinet may not be as equipped to move a grand piano. Interview prospective piano movers to learn more about their experience moving different types of pianos, including the supplies they use and how many people they send to transport your instrument safely.
How to safely move a piano
Moving a piano is not a DIY-friendly task unless you have the tools, time and experience necessary to ensure you handle everything correctly. If you do have to move a piano yourself, here’s what we recommend:
- Clear off and gently dust all surfaces. Minimizing dust, debris and the items on or near your piano will reduce the risk of surface damage.
- Gather the necessary equipment. You’ll need moving blankets, straps, dollies and skid boards to transport your instrument. If you’re not sure what you need, contact a moving supply company for advice.?
- Wrap it. To avoid damage during transit, wrap the entire exterior of your piano in moving blankets, bubble wrap or plastic.?
- Consult your tuner. Your piano tuner can provide additional tips to ensure your specific instrument is prepared for transport.
- Lift with caution. Pianos are percussion instruments with intricate internal pieces that can easily jostle around during movement. Never lift from the legs. Move slowly to avoid unexpected shifts in weight.
- Put it along the back wall of the moving truck. Place it securely against the back wall where it’s less likely to slide around to reduce movement during transit. If needed, use wood planks or blocks to level the ground.
We spoke to Jim Wilson, award-winning composer and performer, to get his take on the best way to move a piano. He recommended professional movers and said, “Once your piano is cleared off, the mover can handle the rest. Do make sure the mover has a clear pathway between the piano and the door.”
He added, “If your piano is going from one climate extreme to another, it’s a good idea to let it acclimate to its new environment for a couple of weeks before tuning it in its new location.”
Methodology
Our independent rating system evaluated moving companies based on the factors below:
