Best Piano Movers (2023)

A piano isn’t easy to move. When you buy a new home, you either have to leave it behind or find a way to relocate it, which is typically at least a two-person job. Upright pianos aren’t easy to move or load onto a truck, and moving grand pianos takes several sets of hands, specialized dollies, and careful planning. 

You can hire a professional piano mover to save your back and ensure your instrument’s safe relocation. We reviewed countless moving providers and compiled a list of the best moving companies, then handpicked the best piano moving services.

These are our top picks for piano moving companies:

• International Van Lines: Best Full-Service Mover
• American Van Lines:  Most Experienced Mover
• Interstate Moving and Relocation Group: Most Efficient
• JK Moving Services: Most Customizable
  
• Moving APT: Best Customer Service
• North American Van Lines: Best for Claims
  
• Allied Van Lines: Best for Vehicle Relocation
  

Compare Companies

Here is how each piano mover compares:

International Van Lines

• Our take: Best Overall Full-Service Mover
• Our rating: 96 out of 100
• Availability: 50 states, plus 180 countries

International Van Lanes (IVL) holds broker authority while operating as a full-service carrier, assisting with moves over any distance. You can also hire IVL for packing services, leaving the organizing and problem-solving to trained professionals. This includes piano moving for an additional fee. 

Pros and Cons

Here are a few of IVL’s key pros and cons:

✔ Offers full-packing assistance, including large and fragile items

✔ Provides more than one contents coverage plan

✔ Issues refunds on deposits as long as a scheduled move is canceled more than 48 hours before the pickup date

✘ Brokers some moving services using third-party carriers that may not all adhere to the same standards

✘ Doesn’t execute local moves in all states

Services

IVL’s full service includes furniture disassembly and reassembly. The moving crew will pack all the inventoried belongings in your home, load the trucks, and drive to your new residence. The movers will take extra care with your piano and other fragile items to avoid damage.

Cost

Like most movers, IVL prices its services based on your inventory’s weight and the distance it has to go. Expect to pay more for moves that involve multiple staircases and elevators.

Relocating a piano requires additional payment between $150 and $350, depending on the type of piano. For instance, moving a concert grand piano is more expensive than a baby grand piano. 

IVL estimates that moving from Los Angeles to Houston (a distance of more than 1,500 miles) costs $3,500–$8,000. A three-bedroom home will fall at the higher end of this range. Get your International Van Lines quote. 

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

American Van Lines

• Our take: Most Experienced Moving Labor
• Our rating: 86 out of 100
• Availability: 48 states, plus more than 180 countries

American Van Lines (AVL) is selective in its hiring process, vetting candidates for experience in the moving industry and strong customer service skills. The company trains its team for specific moving techniques, enabling AVL to offer specialty moving services such as crating for fragile and antique items. Its movers know how to disassemble, wrap, and transport pianos to ensure their safe arrival.

AVL provides moving services in all U.S. states except Alaska and Hawaii.  

Pros and Cons

Here are a few key pros and cons for American Van Lines:

✔ Uses its own fleet and moving team for all services

✔ Offers convenient flat-rate pricing options

✔ Delivers shipments seven days a week

✘ Lacks good communication according to many customer reviews 

✘ Has larger deposit requirements than many competitors; prepare to pay up to 50% of the moving cost in advance

Services

AVL trains its movers to provide full-service relocations. This includes hands-on services such as packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. Customers can pack themselves for a reduced cost. Climate-controlled storage services are also available, protecting sensitive items such as pianos from high humidity and large swings in temperature.

Cost

American Van Lines has a fixed-rate pricing model. Customers can request binding estimates, which include standard services and specialty services such as piano moving. AVL determines the total cost by factoring in the weight and distance of your move. 

AVL estimates that moving from Los Angeles to Houston will cost an average of $8,252. This figure is for a three-bedroom home. Request your American Van Lines quote. 

Learn More: American Van Lines Review

Interstate Moving and Relocation Group

• Our take: Most Efficient
• Our rating: 86 out of 100
• Availability: 50 states

Interstate Moving and Relocation Group (IMRG) is a broker specializing in state-to-state moves. It outsources services to third parties within its network. When booking your move, IMRG reserves space on a carrier’s truck and coordinates requested services through that company. This process is fast and facilitates less stress by allowing you to compare prices across carriers.   

Pros and Cons

Here are a few of Interstate Moving and Relocation Group’s key pros and cons:

✔ Often responds to quote requests in minutes and provides detailed, same-day estimates

✔ Goes the extra mile to coordinate military moves

✔ Provides a moving calculator on its website to determine rough estimates

✘ Expects customers to pay a 4% cancellation fee

✘ Doesn’t offer moving insurance, leaving claims processing to the carriers

Services

IMRG works with full-service carriers to accommodate interstate moves. Packing services are available for customers who choose not to self-pack. You can include a piano on the inventory sheet sent to you after asking for a quote, ensuring moving companies that follow up will know about special requirements and can fulfill your request.

Cost

IMRG calculates estimates based on your move’s size and distance. Precise costs depend on the carrier, but as a broker, IMRG allows you to compare costs to find a provider that works within your budget.

IMRG estimates that it costs $1,400–$3,950 for a 250-mile move, nearly the distance between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. This will vary according to many factors, including additional services and labor. Use this form to request your Interstate Moving and Relocation Group quote.   

Learn More: Interstate Moving and Relocation Group Review

JK Moving Services

• Our take: Most Customizable Full-Service Mover
• Our rating: 91 out of 100
• Availability: 50 states, plus more than 170 countries

JK Moving Services designs and executes moving plans according to your individual preferences and finances. Select comprehensive packing services when booking your move, or pack items on your own and hand them off to JK Moving for loading. You can also request limited packing assistance, including for fragile and difficult-to-move items such as pianos.   

Pros and Cons

Here are a few notable pros and cons for JK Moving Services:

✔ Implements different moving plans based on your wants and needs

✔ Offers financing options, an uncommon practice in the moving industry

✔ Provides 24/7 customer service

✘ Doesn’t provide online quotes

✘ Quotes are higher than many other moving companies

Services

JK Moving is a full-service provider offering several types of moving assistance. Customers who choose the do-it-yourself route can purchase specialty packing supplies from the company. Those who select full service will receive help with all aspects of the move. This includes the safe handling and transportation of pianos, with equal care given to grand pianos and smaller modern pianos.

Cost

JK Moving bases quotes on your move’s size, distance, and weight. You need to go through a consultation with a company representative, who will assess your moving needs to provide an accurate estimate. Submit your contact information to start your JK Moving quote.

Learn More: JK Moving Services Review

Moving APT

• Our take: Best Customer Service
• Our rating: 84 out of 100
• Availability: 50 states, plus 180 countries

Moving APT is a nationwide moving broker that partners with a vast network of providers. Each move is unique, and you must ensure that the mover you hire can meet your needs. Moving APT’s relocation specialists can connect you with a local piano mover or a cross-country carrier. You can request specialty services such as short- and long-term storage to ensure you don’t have to go through multiple companies when planning your move. Moving APT provides 24/7 customer support.

Pros and Cons

Here are some key pros and cons of choosing Moving APT:

✔ Has a price-matching policy to help customers secure better deals

✔ Keeps tabs on the vetted movers in its network to ensure there are no major or recurring issues 

✔ Offers several discounts

✘ Has fielded complaints about customers paying more than their quoted estimates

✘ Delivers the details about your move to several partners, often resulting in an excessive amount of phones calls and emails from providers seeking your business

Services

You can select a full-service moving company or decide to self-pack when speaking to a Moving APT relocation specialist. An advantage of using a broker such as Moving APT is that you can narrow your options with minimal effort. Mention that you need to move a piano on your inventory sheet, and Moving APT will notify carriers that are available for that specific task.

Cost

Most of Moving APT’s carriers determine prices by gauging your shipment’s weight and size with a detailed inventory. Distance is also a factor. Some carriers may provide binding estimates based on an in-home or virtual survey. Expect to pay additional fees for moves requiring special handling, such as those with pianos or other bulky items. 

Moving APT estimates it will cost $1,700–$3,500 to move a 250-mile, three-bedroom home. This is roughly the distance between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Get a quote from Moving APT. 

Learn More: Moving APT Review

North American Van Lines

• Our take: Best for Claims
• Our rating: 92 out of 100
• Availability: 50 states, plus more than 130 countries

North American Van Lines (NAVL) has been in business since 1933 and has decades of moving experience. It offers residential and commercial moving services with an option for packing and unpacking. NAVL also facilitates a smooth claims process for damaged or lost items by putting forms in plain view on its website. 

Pros and Cons

Here are a few of our key pros and cons for North American Van Lines:

✔ Has a frustration-free process for filing damaged or lost item claims

✔ Provides binding estimates and more transparent pricing than many other companies

✔ Puts down protective pads and coverings to prevent damage to homes during moves

✘ Receives many negative customer reviews, often citing delays and other delivery issues

✘ Outsources some services when its moving teams are overbooked

Services

NAVL’s movers are available for full-service pickup and delivery, including packing and unpacking. The movers also disassemble and reassemble furniture as needed and will dispose of boxes and other moving materials when the shipment arrives at your new home. You can request a custom packing and moving plan for fragile items and valuable belongings, such as your piano.

Cost

NAVL offers binding and non-binding estimates, allowing customers flexibility in how they want to pay for their move. Your quote includes fees for basic transportation costs (mileage and shipment weight) plus full-service if selected.

NAVL typically won’t provide an estimate until you schedule a consultation to assess your home’s inventory. Submit your contact information to start your North American Van Lines quote. 

Learn More: North American Van Lines Review

Allied Van Lines

• Our take: Best for Vehicle Relocation
• Our rating: 94 out of 100
• Availability: 50 states, plus 130 countries

Allied Van Lines provides many long-distance and local moving options, including multiple storage solutions. It will help customers who can’t drive their vehicles to the move destination for any reason, providing a $100,000 valuation coverage plan for vehicle shipping. Allied’s white-glove moving service includes special treatment of fragile and high-end items, including pianos. 

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons for Allied Van Lines: 

✔ Offers full-service options for most types of moves, including residential, corporate, and military relocations

✔ Can arrange to move items on a truck or in portable storage containers for smaller moves

✔ Employs white-glove movers who are trained to handle fragile items, art, antiques, and electronics

✘ Doesn’t provide 24/7 customer service

✘ Is unable to book last-minute moves in many circumstances without delays

Services

Allied is a full-service provider offering wrapping and packing services in addition to delivery. It’s one of the few providers we’ve reviewed that offers to assist with pet relocation in certain service areas. Storage-in-transit, long-term storage, and container storage are all available for customers who may need piano storage before settling into a new home.

Cost

You can get a rough estimate right on the Allied homepage. You should contact an Allied representative to conduct a virtual survey of your home for a more accurate quote. Allied uses shipment weight and mileage to calculate your move’s cost. Full-service packing is an additional charge. 

Allied provides an InstaQuote of $5,952–$6,542 for moving the contents of a three-bedroom home from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Ask Allied Van Lines for a free quote here.

Learn More: Allied Van Lines Review

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.

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs 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.