Find the Best Piano Moving Company in Ottawa and the Surrounding Area

First and foremost, it is not recommended to move a piano yourself unless you have the physical and technical knowledge that goes with it. If you must absolutely move a piano yourself, here are some fundamental tips to consider:

• Get the right equipment: piano dolly, straps and moving ties, moving blanket, shoulder harness or lifting belt, piano board and/or a piano trolly. 
• Get some help: enlist the help of friends and family, or even better, someone who has experience moving pianos. 
• Clear pathways to the truck to avoid falling and damaging the piano. 
• Measure all spaces leading to the truck and from the truck at your new location. This includes stairways, hallways, elevators, doorways and the piano itself. 
• Adjust the piano depending on its type. For instance, a grand piano requires you to remove the legs first and attach the piano to the piano board. 

To avoid the piano moving around and breaking, make sure it is securely tied down in the moving truck.

Moving a massive and heavy piano upstairs is an arduous task. For a local piano move, it usually costs an additional $40 to $100 per flight of stairs, depending on if the staircase is straight or curved. The cost will increase depending on the floors you want to elevate it to. 

It may vary according to the type of piano you own as well. An upright piano will cost around $5 per stair, while a grand piano may cost between $10 to $20 per stair. 

(*HomeGuide & HomeServe)

The average cost to move a piano locally varies from $150 to $600. It includes the base rate, usually $50-$75, the cost per km, that is, $1.2 to $1.5 per km, the cost per stair, ranging from $5 to $20, and additional costs like insurance, storage, and rush fee. For upright pianos, the total cost is between $150-$300, while for grand pianos, it may go to $300-$600.

(*HomeServe & Top Move)

The average cost to move a piano across the country takes $1000-$3000. Since it is a long-distance move, the base rate, the rate per km, and additional costs of insurance and storage are higher. The cost per km could range from $2.5 to $10, depending upon the terrain of the route.

(*HomeGuide & HomeServe)

Tuning a piano at the time of moving will cost an additional $65 to $225, but it goes much higher if several tuning and repair sessions are needed. So local tuning and moving costs maybe $250-$800, while long-distance moving and tuning can cost between $1200-3200.

(*Bankrate)

Piano storage in a climate-controlled space costs $50-$75 per month. The difference in humidity and a high temperature often causes acoustic pianos to go out of tune. It is a safe option to place your piano in a storage space until your new house is ready. This helps in avoiding tuning costs, and protecting it from unwanted scratches and dents. 

Piano storage companies usually offer a 24/7 security service so your instrument is safe with them for as long as you want it to, at a fixed monthly rate. In addition to storage, the moving cost for pickup and delivery to the storage space is applied. 

(*HomeAdvisor)

Your piano movers are expecting a tip from you. Depending on the type and quality of service you receive, you should tip your piano mover anywhere between 10% – 20% of the total cost.

Pianos are so heavy to move and require special movers because of the materials they are made of. The woods used to make pianos tend to be the heaviest, hardest woods such as mahogany, walnut, oak, and birch. The internal frames, usually brass or steel, aren’t light-weight either. They’re sturdy, which is why they last so long when properly cared for. Some of the first actual pianos ever built are still in like-new condition.