Piano moves are not regular moves
A piano is the single most expensive and fragile item in most homes. Uprights weigh 300 to 500 pounds. Baby grands weigh 500 to 750 pounds. Concert grands push 1,000 to 1,400 pounds. They are top-heavy, asymmetric, full of fragile internal mechanisms and finished in lacquer that scratches easily. Moving one safely requires a piano dolly or skid board, four-strap rigging, specialized blankets, a truck with proper tie-downs and at least three movers (often four). Not every Miami mover offers this, and the ones who do charge accordingly.
Real 2026 prices by piano type
Upright piano (also called vertical piano), local move within Miami-Dade: $250 to $450. This is on top of any regular moving service, or as a stand-alone if you only need the piano moved. Console and studio uprights weigh more than spinets, so the upper end applies.
Baby grand piano (5 to 5'8 feet), local move: $550 to $950. Requires legs and pedals to be removed, the piano to be tipped onto a skid board, wrapped and rolled out. Time on site: 90 minutes to 3 hours.
Grand piano (6 to 7 feet), local move: $850 to $1,500. Similar process to a baby grand but heavier and requires four movers.
Concert grand or semi-concert grand (over 7 feet), local move: $1,200 to $2,500. These often need a hydraulic lift gate truck, four to five movers and longer setup time.
Digital piano or keyboard: $80 to $200. Treated like a regular fragile item, no special handling.
What adds to the cost
Stairs: $50 to $200 per flight for an upright, $150 to $500 per flight for a grand. Hoisting through a window or balcony: $400 to $1,500 depending on rigging required. Long carry over 75 feet from truck to door: $75 to $250. Climate-controlled storage between move dates: $80 to $200 a month plus delivery. Long-distance moves: piano-only interstate transport with a specialty carrier runs $1,500 to $4,500 depending on distance and piano size. Full insurance (Full Value Protection at declared value): typically $0.75 to $2.50 per $100 of value, so a $20,000 piano costs $150 to $500 to insure for the move.
What specialty piano movers actually do
A proper piano mover does the following: 1) Inspect the piano and the route, identifying tight turns, stairs and door widths. 2) Remove legs and pedals on grand pianos using piano-specific tools. 3) Wrap the piano in heavy quilted blankets and stretch wrap. 4) Use a piano dolly or skid board with secure straps. 5) Tilt and slide the piano carefully, never on its back. 6) Load into a truck with floor mats and ratchet straps to prevent shifting. 7) Drive slowly, avoiding potholes (a real concern in older Miami neighborhoods). 8) Unload with the same care. 9) Reassemble in the new location. 10) Optionally provide a tuner referral for after the move (a moved piano usually needs tuning 2 to 4 weeks later to settle).
Tuning after the move
Almost every piano needs tuning after a move, even when handled perfectly. The change in humidity (Miami air is humid, indoor AC is dry) and the physical jostling shift the strings. Plan to tune 2 to 4 weeks after the move, once the piano has acclimated to its new environment. Piano tuners in Miami charge $150 to $250 per tuning. Some pianos may need a pitch raise (if they were out of pitch before the move), which adds $100 to $200.
Special considerations for Miami
Humidity: Miami's high humidity affects pianos. If you are moving from a dry climate (Colorado, Arizona, Nevada), the piano will need 3 to 6 weeks to acclimate. A Dampp-Chaser climate control system installed in the piano ($400 to $600 plus installation) keeps it stable year-round.
Saltwater air: if your home is on the beach (Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, Sunny Isles), the saltwater air will eventually damage piano hardware. Consider this when deciding where to place the piano in the home.
Hurricane season: never plan a piano move during a tropical storm or hurricane warning. Reschedule. A piano in a truck during a Category 1 storm is a $30,000 disaster.
How to choose a piano mover
Ask these questions before hiring: 1) How many pianos do you move per month? (Reputable specialists move at least 10.) 2) Do you have piano-specific equipment (skid boards, four-strap rigging)? 3) Are you insured specifically for piano damage and what is the coverage limit? 4) Can you provide references for recent piano moves? 5) Do you carry pianos through staircases or hoist when needed? 6) What is your protocol if damage occurs? A specialist gives clear, specific answers. A general mover hedges.
What to do before the movers arrive
Clear the path: measure doorways, halls and stairs, remove rugs, pad sharp corners, and ensure outdoor walkways are dry. Remove music, photos, vases and anything sitting on top of the piano. Photograph the piano in detail from multiple angles for insurance purposes. Lock the keyboard cover. Decide where in the new home the piano will go and clear that space. If you have hardwood floors, ask the mover to place a protective mat where the piano will be set down.
Get a piano-specific estimate
For accurate piano moving prices we need to know the piano type, brand, age, weight (if known), origin and destination addresses with floor numbers and stairs, and any special access issues. Call us at +1 (305) 970-6538 with this info and we provide a written quote on the spot. We move uprights, grands and concert grands across Miami-Dade every week.