[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/stress-free-moving-your-piano-cross-country\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/stress-free-moving-your-piano-cross-country\/","headline":"How to Move Cross-Country with Your Piano Stress-Free","name":"How to Move Cross-Country with Your Piano Stress-Free","description":"Whether you bought your piano yourself or it was passed down to you by a relative, packing up […]","datePublished":"2024-02-27","dateModified":"2025-10-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Stress-free-Tips-on-Moving-Your-Piano-Cross-Country.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Stress-free-Tips-on-Moving-Your-Piano-Cross-Country.jpg","height":867,"width":1305},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/stress-free-moving-your-piano-cross-country\/","about":["Moving Tips","Specific Post"],"wordCount":1751,"keywords":["Cross-Country Piano Move","DIY Piano Move","Full Valuation","Ideal Moving Seasons","Measuring for Move","Moving Delicate Instruments","Moving Heavy Items","Moving High-Value Items","Piano Insurance","Piano Moving Costs","Piano Moving Tips","Piano Placement","Piano Protection","professional piano movers","released valuation","Third-Party Insurance","Valuation Coverage"],"articleBody":"Whether you bought your piano yourself or it was passed down to you by a relative, packing up your cherished instrument and making a cross-country move with your piano can seem like a difficult task. However, with the right preparation and knowledge, you can move your piano without breaking the bank or the instrument!Hire ProfessionalsThere\u2019s a reason people hire professional movers for bulky yet delicate items like pianos. Not only is it heavy, it\u2019s also challenging because of its awkward shape and sensitive keys. Your best bet is to hire professionals with experience moving pianos for the best results. Not only do they have the appropriate tools and knowledge to move your piano, but they also know how to navigate tight spaces.Before hiring a moving company, make sure they have moved pianos in the past. You can search their online reviews for information, or you can ask them directly for some references from people who have had similar challenges. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions before hiring! You can ask questions such as:Do they have experience moving your type of piano (upright, baby grand, grand, etc)What supplies do they use to move the pianoCan they help find a piano tunerWill they set up the piano in the appropriate roomTheir answers should put you at ease and highlight their knowledge. If they aren\u2019t answering the questions or being rude and\/or aggressive, move on to another moving company. Average Cost of Moving a Piano Cross-Country by TypePiano TypeAvg. Weight (lbs)Cost (Local Move)Cost (500 Miles)Cost (2,000+ Miles)Upright Piano300\u2013500$150\u2013$400$600\u2013$1,000$1,000\u2013$2,000Baby Grand500\u2013700$250\u2013$600$800\u2013$1,200$1,200\u2013$2,500Grand Piano700\u20131,200$400\u2013$800$1,000\u2013$1,500$2,000\u2013$3,500Concert Grand1,200+$500\u2013$1,000$1,500\u2013$2,000$3,000\u2013$5,000 Of course, hiring people to move a piano for you means higher costs. In some cases, you might get charged more for a piano move. If that\u2019s not in your budget, you can try to move it with the help of friends. Pianos are very heavy; the lightest upright piano still weighs around 300 pounds, so you\u2019ll want at least three other people to help out. You\u2019ll also want the right moving supplies, such as moving blankets, a dolly, straps, etc., to make the job easier. Make sure you also protect the keys by locking the keyboard lid. If you don\u2019t have a key for the lid, strap it shut. Don\u2019t use tape as it will damage the wood surface.Measure EverythingEven if you\u2019re not taking the DIY route, you should still take the time to plan the details of your move beforehand. Measure the piano\u2019s dimensions and write them down. You should also measure the doorways, hallways, and staircases to make sure you have enough space. In some cases, you might need to remove the doors from the hinges.Since you\u2019re making a cross-country move, chances are you won\u2019t be able to take these measurements in your new house. In that case, you should ask the realtor for the floor plans with dimensions for everything, including doorways, halls, etc. You don\u2019t want to move the piano and then realize there\u2019s no space for it in the house! Plus, with the floor plan, you can plan out exactly where you want to put everything ahead of time. That should hopefully make the process of unpacking that much faster.Get an Insurance Quote for Your Piano MoveIt\u2019s never a bad idea to get an insurance quote for high-value items like a piano. Insurance can help cover any damages or losses that occur during the moving process. All professional movers must offer two types of insurance – released valuation and full valuation. Released valuation is free, but it only reimburses you at 60 cents per pound per article. So for a 1,000-pound piano, you\u2019d only get $60.On the other hand, you have full valuation, which covers the cost of your possessions based on their current replacement value. This is a much better option, especially if you have a lot of valuable possessions. While not free, the cost of the valuation is usually about five to six percent of the weight of your shipment. So if you\u2019re only paying for your 1,000-pound piano, then you\u2019re paying between $50-$60 for coverage. When it comes to full valuation, the movers can choose to either provide the full reimbursement of the current value of the item, replace it, or repair it. Insurance Options & CostsInsurance TypeCoverageCost EstimateExample for 1,000 lbs PianoReleased Valuation$0.60 per lb; basic liabilityFree (included in move)$60 max payoutFull ValuationCovers replacement or repair cost~5\u20136% of piano weight shipment cost$50\u2013$60 premium; $6,000 max payoutThird-Party Moving InsuranceCovers 100% of current piano valueVaries by policy, based on piano value$6,000 insured for full replacement costHigh-Value Item Add-OnAdditional coverage for items >$100\/lbDepends on weight & valueCovers piano parts or rare models Speaking of weight, the valuation itself is based on the weight of your shipment multiplied by $6 to determine the carrier\u2019s maximum liability. So in this case, a shipment of 1,000 pounds would be liable for damage or loss of up to $6,000. Movers can limit their responsibility to loss or damage of items of extraordinary value, meaning items valued more than $100 per pound. However, if you specifically list these items on the shipping documents, the movers are responsible for their safe delivery.If you really want to make sure your piano is protected, you might want to consider purchasing insurance from a third party. Remember, valuation is not the same as insurance. Valuation coverage is regulated by Federal law and is essentially a level of liability that moving companies assume. With moving insurance, you will work with an insurance company and pay a premium to protect you from potential losses based on the policy you choose. If you decide to spend the money on insurance, make sure to insure your goods for 100 percent of their value.Choose the Right Time to MoveIf you have the luxury of choosing when to move, you should aim for the fall or spring. Avoid extreme heat or cold, as it can cause damage to your piano. You also want to avoid moving the piano during the rain. Since you can\u2019t control the weather, the next best thing is to make sure you protect your piano from the elements. That means covering your piano up with a piano cover or waterproof case. When you hire professional piano movers, they will add another layer of protection with padded quilts to avoid external damage. Time to Move Each Piano TypePiano TypeLoading Time (hrs)Transportation Time (hrs)Unloading & Setup Time (hrs)Total Estimated Time (hrs)Upright Piano0.5\u20131Variable by distance0.5\u201311\u20132Baby Grand1\u20131.5Variable by distance1\u20131.52\u20133Grand Piano1.5\u20132Variable by distance1.5\u201323\u20134Concert Grand2\u20133Variable by distance2\u201334\u20136 While you\u2019re figuring out how to properly protect your piano against the elements, you should also take the time to do basic preparation. That means removing any loose parts and securing the keys. There\u2019s no need to tune the piano before you move, as it will likely go out of tune during a cross-country move. So, save your money and call in a piano technician once you have comfortably moved into your new place, usually around the 2-4 week mark.Keep An Eye on the Piano During the MoveIf you’re hiring professional movers, you should still keep an eye on them as they move your piano. While there shouldn\u2019t be a need for you to hover, you should still see how they load up the piano and where and how they place it in the truck. For example, the movers should remove the legs if possible so they can lay the top of the piano flat in the truck. Ideally, the piano should be placed in the back and be completely level. If it isn\u2019t, the crew should put some wood on the floor to level it out. All of these precautions can help reduce potential damage to the piano during the move.Find the Perfect Spot for Your PianoHopefully, you have the dimensions of your new home on hand so you can plan out exactly where you want to place the piano. After all, you don\u2019t want to waste too much time with the movers figuring out which room to put this large instrument in. Plus, the more you move it around, the likely the piano will get damaged.Once the piano is in the correct location, the movers will reattach the legs. Make sure they also level the piano to ensure that it is balanced and stable. Otherwise, the sound quality might decline even after you tune it.Prepare to Move Your PianoReady for your cross-country move with your piano? Then make sure to call the professionals! Quality moving companies will have experience with these large but delicate instruments. Many will also have recommendations for tuners once you arrive in your new place.FAQ                    \t\t\t\tDoes moving a piano cost extra money?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tSome moving companies might charge you an additional bulk furniture fee for your piano. When moving cross country, the cost of the move is generally calculated by the total distance and weight. So if you bring heavy items like pianos, your final cost will be on the higher side.                                                        \t\t                    \t\t\t\tCan I DIY moving a professional keyboard?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tWhile keyboards aren\u2019t as delicate as pianos, many of the more professional ones are still quite heavy and require some attention. While it will be easier to go the DIY route, make sure you keep track of all the necessary wires and pedals. Hopefully you have a carrying case for it. If not, you should wrap the keyboard in a padded blanket and make sure not to place anything else on top of it.                                                        \t\t                    \t\t\t\tWhat happens if I change my mind about bringing a piano last minute?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tIt depends on what you\u2019re changing your mind about. If you decide to leave behind the piano, it\u2019s not a big deal and you can end up saving money. However, if you decide to bring a piano, it can lead to issues as the moving truck might not have the necessary space for such a large instrument. You should let the movers know at least a few days in advance if you do plan on bringing a large, bulky item so they can bring the appropriate tools and truck.                                                        \t\t    {\t\t\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\t\t\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\t\t\"mainEntity\": [\t\t\t\t{\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Does moving a piano cost extra money?\",\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"Some moving companies might charge you an additional bulk furniture fee for your piano. When moving cross country, the cost of the move is generally calculated by the total distance and weight. 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