Moving a piano is not simple, and it is not something we recommend attempting on your own. Whether you have an upright or a baby grand, the risks of injury or damage are real and serious. Brothers Easy Moving of Tampa serves the Tampa Bay area, including Brandon and Riverview, and we have seen firsthand what happens when people try to handle this without the right equipment or experience.
We, along with any other reputable mover or sane person, strongly recommend hiring a professional for piano moving. Two reasons stand out above everything else. First, pianos are incredibly heavy and dangerous. You will actually have to pick up and carry the instrument. Second, the true cost of moving a piano on your own almost always exceeds what a professional would charge once you add up equipment, truck rental, and the very real possibility of injury or damage.
What Makes Piano Moving So Dangerous?
If your piano needs to travel over four or more consecutive steps at any point during the move, the risk level goes up sharply. It is almost always better to pay a qualified professional than to attempt it yourself, because there is no way around the fact that you and your crew will have to physically lift and carry the instrument.
Pianos can weigh upwards of 800 lbs and are awkwardly shaped. They carry most of their weight in the top half, while the legs and feet are fragile and break easily. Because of their size and weight distribution, they can tilt without warning, making them extremely difficult to balance, let alone carry. Moving a piano safely requires a minimum of three people working in unison, keeping it upright the entire time.
If you lose control of a piano, it can damage itself, your walls, your floors, and anyone in its path. Never attempt to move a piano up winding or circular stairs, such as those in an apartment complex, on your own.
Does the Math Actually Work in Your Favor?
The cost to hire professional piano movers really does pale in comparison to doing it yourself once you account for everything involved.
You might say you cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars. Fair enough. But ask yourself this: can you afford to be out of work because your back goes out, you pop your shoulder, or you break your arm, wrist, leg, or foot? Probably not.
To move a piano safely on your own, you will need specific equipment, and piano moving equipment is not cheap. Here is what you are looking at:
- Heavy duty straps to provide a better hold: $25.00
- Specially constructed four wheel independent axle furniture dolly that can support the weight of the piano: $125.00
- Padding or blankets to protect the piano and your walls from cracks or scrapes (minimum of two): $30.00 each
- Locking piano belt: $25.00
- Piano skid board: $125.00
- Packing tape: $3.00 per roll
- Large moving van or truck
Most professional piano moving companies in the Brandon, Riverview, and Tampa areas charge between $350 and $1,000 for a local move. Compare that to your truck rental costs plus roughly $400 to purchase the equipment listed above. Then factor in the potential for mover injury, piano damage, and property damage. In most cases, you will find that moving a piano on your own is simply not worth it, and the savings are not as significant as they first appear.
What Does Licensed and Insured Actually Mean Here?
Professional piano moving companies like Brothers Easy Moving of Tampa are licensed, bonded, and insured, which means there is accountability if injuries or damages occur. That said, it is worth understanding exactly what your coverage includes before moving day, not after. Florida’s default carrier liability is 60 cents per pound, which on a damaged piano falls well short of its actual value. Ask your mover about full-value protection before you book.
Is a Piano Worth Treating Differently Than Other Furniture?
Owning a piano is a bit like owning a pet. It requires ongoing care and the right support at every stage, including when you move. The cost of moving it on your own, measured in money, physical risk, and the stress of something going wrong, is simply too high.
If this post has not yet convinced you to leave piano moving to the professionals, please contact us or get a quote online before you make any final decision.
