How Do Movers Move a Grand Piano?
Movers take off the lid, music desk and pedal lyre, tip the grand onto its straight side on a padded piano board, remove the legs, strap it down and roll it out on a dolly. At the new home they reverse the process, so it is a job for a trained crew, never DIY.
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Why a grand is always a pro job
An upright can roll through a house standing up. A grand cannot. Its shape is wide and curved, its legs are designed to hold a still piano rather than one being pushed, and its weight sits in a large horizontal cast-iron plate. To fit through a normal door, a grand has to be turned on its side, and that means partial disassembly under load.
A baby grand weighs approximately 500–650 lb (225–295 kg). A grand runs about 650–900 lb, and a concert grand about 900–1,200+ lb. Tipping that weight onto its side safely takes a trained crew, a padded piano board, straps and a dolly, plus the know-how to do it without twisting a leg off or cracking the rim.
If you are weighing whether to do it yourself, the short answer is no. The general method for all pianos is covered in how to move a piano. This page explains exactly what the pros do, so you know what you are paying for and what to watch for.
The sequence, step by step
This is the standard method. Details vary by crew and by piano, but the order is consistent.
| Step | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Walk-through | Crew checks the route, measures doors and plans the turn-out | Movers, with you |
| 2. Clear the piano | Remove music, photos, lamps and anything on the lid | You, before the crew arrives |
| 3. Lid off | Hinge pins pulled, lid removed and wrapped separately | Movers |
| 4. Music desk off | Desk slid out and wrapped | Movers |
| 5. Keyboard lid secured | Fallboard closed and padded so it cannot open | Movers |
| 6. Pedal lyre off | Lyre and its braces unscrewed and wrapped; hardware bagged | Movers |
| 7. Onto the board | Piano board set next to the straight side; piano lowered onto it, with the leg on that side removed as it goes down | Movers |
| 8. Remaining legs off | With the piano on its side, the other two legs are removed and wrapped | Movers |
| 9. Wrap and strap | Piano blanketed and strapped tightly to the board | Movers |
| 10. Onto the dolly | Board and piano set on a dolly and rolled out | Movers |
| 11. Truck | Loaded by liftgate or ramp, strapped to the truck wall | Movers |
| 12. Reassembly | Reverse order at the new home; legs, lyre, desk and lid refitted | Movers |
| 13. Final check | You check the finish, legs, pedals and keys before signing | You |
Why the straight side
A grand has one long straight side (the bass side, on your left when you sit at the keys) and one curved side. The straight side sits flat on the board and gives the most stable base. The curved rim would rock and concentrate pressure in one spot.
Why the legs come off
Grand piano legs are fitted to hold weight straight down. Sideways or rolling forces can snap them or pull their mounting plates out of the case. Rolling a grand through a doorway or over a threshold on its legs puts exactly that kind of force on them.
Why the lyre comes off
The pedal lyre hangs under the piano and connects the pedals to the action through rods. It is fragile, sticks out below the case, and would be the first thing to catch on a doorframe. Movers remove it, bag the screws, and refit it at the other end.
Crating for long distance
For a local move, a grand usually travels on its board, blanketed and strapped to the truck wall. For long-distance or cross-country moves, some movers put the piano in a custom or reusable wooden crate. A crate protects against shifting and impacts during multiple loadings, shared trucks or storage stops.
Ask any long-distance mover:
- Will the piano be crated, or only blanket-wrapped and strapped?
- Is the truck climate controlled? Temperature and humidity swings are hard on soundboards and tuning.
- Will the piano be transferred between trucks or warehouses on the way?
- What coverage applies if it is damaged, and how is it valued?
Interstate movers need a USDOT number. Check it in the FMCSA database before you book, and verify the name and status match the company you are talking to. More on this in long-distance piano moving.
What to expect on the day
- Arrival and walk-through. The crew looks at the piano, the route and the new room. Show them any tight spots you already know about.
- Disassembly. Lid, desk, lyre and legs come off. Hardware is usually bagged and taped to the piano or kept by the crew lead.
- The move. The piano goes out on its side on a board and dolly. Stay out of the path.
- Reassembly. At the new home, the crew stands the piano back up on its legs, then refits the lyre, desk and lid.
- Your check. Look at the finish, legs and lid. Press each pedal. Play a few keys across the range. Note any damage on the paperwork before you sign.
Expect the piano to sound a little off afterwards. That is normal. Most technicians suggest waiting about 2–4 weeks before tuning, so it can settle into the new room first.
How to prepare the room
At the old home:
- Clear the piano of everything: music, photos, plants, covers.
- Clear the path from the piano to the door. Move rugs and small furniture.
- Measure the narrowest doorway and tell the mover when you book.
- Arrange parking for the truck as close to the door as possible.
At the new home:
- Decide where the piano goes before the crew arrives. An inside wall is best, away from radiators, vents, fireplaces and direct sun.
- Mark the spot and the direction the keyboard should face.
- Make sure the floor can take the load. On older or upper floors, ask a contractor if you are unsure.
- Clear the route and protect floors if you want extra protection beyond what the crew brings.
Questions to ask before you book
A grand is the piano where the gap between a specialist and a generalist shows most. Ask each mover:
- How many grands do you move in a typical month?
- Do you bring a piano board, and do you remove the legs and lyre yourselves?
- How many people will you send, and have they moved a grand together before?
- What happens if a leg, the lid or the finish is damaged, and how is the piano valued for coverage?
- Is the price fixed, or can it change on the day if the route is harder than described?
Clear, specific answers are a good sign. Vague ones are a reason to keep looking. The trade-offs are covered in piano movers vs regular movers.
What it costs
These are approximate 2026 US ballparks, labor only. They vary by region, so confirm with quotes.
| Move | Baby grand | Grand |
|---|---|---|
| Local, ground floor (under ~50 mi) | About $400–$900 | About $500–$1,200 |
| Long-distance in-state (50–250 mi) | About $800–$2,500 | About $800–$2,500 |
| Cross-country | About $1,500–$5,000+ | About $1,500–$5,000+ |
A concert grand locally is about $800–$2,000+. Stairs add about $5–$15 per step or $50–$150 per flight, and a crane or hoist runs about $500–$1,500+. If there are stairs on either end, read moving a piano up or down stairs. Full detail is in how much it costs to move a piano.
Next step
Find movers who handle grands in the piano movers directory, and ask each how many grands they move a month. Use the cost calculator to check whether their quotes are in range.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move a grand piano myself?
No. A grand has to be partly taken apart and turned on its side, and the legs and lyre are not built to carry the piano's weight while it moves. A mistake can crack a leg, the case or the soundboard, or injure someone. Hire a trained piano mover.
How much does a grand piano weigh?
Approximately 500–650 lb (225–295 kg) for a baby grand, 650–900 lb for a grand and 900–1,200+ lb for a concert grand. Weights vary by maker and model.
How many movers does it take to move a grand piano?
A trained crew is typically 2–4 people for a baby grand or grand on an easy route, with more for stairs or a concert grand. Training and equipment matter more than headcount.
How much does it cost to move a grand piano?
As an approximate 2026 US ballpark, a local ground-floor move costs about $400–$900 for a baby grand and $500–$1,200 for a grand. Long-distance in-state runs about $800–$2,500 and cross-country about $1,500–$5,000+. Confirm with quotes; the cost calculator gives a starting point.
Do grand pianos get moved on their side?
Yes. The standard method is to lay the grand on its long straight side on a padded piano board, remove the legs, and strap it down. It then rolls on a dolly on its side.
How long does it take to move a grand piano?
It depends on stairs, doorways, disassembly and distance. Ask the mover for a time estimate when you book so you can plan your day.
Does a grand piano need tuning after a move?
Usually, yes. Most technicians suggest waiting about 2–4 weeks for the piano to acclimate, then tuning. That costs roughly $100–$250 in 2026, depending on location. See piano tuning after moving.
Do I need to be home when the movers come?
Yes, or someone you trust should be. You will need to confirm where the piano goes in the new room, check it for damage, and sign off on the delivery.