Chicago Piano Movers | Professional Piano Moving Services
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Chicago Piano Movers | Piano Moving Services
Affordable City Movers is a professional team of Chicago piano movers specializing in safe, expert piano relocations throughout the city. As experienced piano movers in Chicago, we handle everything from upright pianos and spinet moves to baby grands, full grands, and concert grand piano relocations in homes, apartments, high-rise buildings, and music institutions. Our trained piano moving specialists understand proper handling techniques, use professional equipment like piano boards and heavy-duty straps, and protect your valuable instrument throughout the entire move. Based in Lincoln Park and trusted by musicians, families, and music schools across Chicago, we deliver reliable, careful piano moving services that treat your instrument with the respect it deserves.
Professional Piano Moving in Chicago
Moving a piano requires specialized equipment, training, and years of experience. Whether you’re relocating an upright piano down three flights of stairs or transporting a concert grand across town, Affordable City Movers has the expertise to handle your valuable instrument with the care it deserves.
Pianos are delicate, heavy, and irreplaceable—often with deep sentimental and financial value. Our piano moving specialists use professional-grade equipment including piano boards, heavy-duty straps, padded blankets, and climate-controlled trucks to ensure your piano arrives in perfect condition.
We’ve successfully moved thousands of pianos throughout Chicago—from tight apartment stairwells to high-rise freight elevators, from music schools to private residences. Our crews are trained in proper piano handling techniques that protect both the instrument and your property.
What’s Included
- Piano-specific equipment and tools
- Trained piano moving specialists
- Heavy-duty padding and protection
- Professional piano board transport
- Floor and wall protection throughout
- Full liability coverage included
We Move All Types of Pianos
From compact spinets to full concert grands, we have the expertise and equipment for every piano type.
Upright Pianos
Spinets, consoles, studio uprights, and full uprights. These vertical pianos are the most common and we move them safely through tight spaces and stairwells.
Baby Grand Pianos
5′ to 6′ baby grands require careful disassembly and specialized handling. We remove legs, secure the lid, and transport on a padded piano board.
Grand Pianos
6′ to 7′ grands demand expert handling. Our crews have experience with proper leg removal, balance points, and safe maneuvering through doorways.
Concert Grand Pianos
7’+ concert grands are the most challenging moves. We use additional crew members and specialized rigging for these valuable instruments.
How Piano Moving Works
A careful, methodical approach that protects your instrument every step of the way.
Assessment
We evaluate your piano type, current location, destination, stairs, doorways, and any obstacles to determine crew size and equipment needs.
Preparation
We protect floors and doorways, secure the piano lid and keyboard, and for grands, carefully remove and pad the legs and pedal lyre.
Transport
Using a piano board and straps, we secure the instrument and carefully navigate stairs, hallways, and tight corners to our climate-controlled truck.
Placement
At your destination, we reassemble legs, position the piano exactly where you want it, and remove all padding and protection materials.
Piano Moving Challenges We Handle
Common obstacles that require specialized knowledge and equipment—all part of our standard service.
🪜 Staircases & Flights
Narrow stairwells and multiple flights are among the toughest piano moving scenarios. We use proper lifting techniques, multiple crew members, and strategic pivot points to navigate stairs safely.
🚪 Tight Doorways
Standard doorways are often narrower than upright pianos. We tilt, angle, and carefully maneuver instruments through tight spaces—and can remove door frames if absolutely necessary.
🏢 High-Rise Buildings
Elevators, freight elevators, and building regulations add complexity to piano moves. We coordinate with building management and schedule proper elevator reservations in advance.
⚖️ Weight Distribution
Pianos weigh 300-1,200 lbs and have uneven weight distribution. Our crews understand balance points and use proper lifting mechanics to avoid injury and instrument damage.
🔧 Leg Removal & Assembly
Grand pianos require leg removal for safe transport. We carefully detach legs, label hardware, pad all components, and reassemble everything properly at your destination.
🛡️ Finish Protection
Piano finishes scratch easily. We use thick moving blankets, corner protectors, and shrink wrap to shield the finish from bumps, scrapes, and weather during transport.
Piano Moving Questions
Answers to common questions about moving pianos in Chicago.
How much does piano moving cost?
Piano moving costs depend on piano type, stairs, distance, and access. Upright pianos typically cost less than grands. We provide free quotes after assessing your specific situation.
Will my piano need tuning after the move?
Yes, most pianos should be tuned 2-4 weeks after moving to allow the instrument to acclimate to its new environment. We can recommend local piano tuners if needed.
Can you move a piano in winter?
Yes, we move pianos year-round. In cold weather, we take extra precautions with blanket coverage and minimize the piano’s exposure to temperature extremes during loading and unloading.
Do you move player pianos or antique pianos?
Absolutely. Player pianos and antiques often have additional fragile components. We take extra care with these instruments and can accommodate special handling requests.
What if my piano won’t fit through the door?
We assess all doorways and pathways before the move. If necessary, we can remove door frames, consider window access, or explore alternative routes. We’ll find a solution or let you know before attempting the move.
What is the average price of piano moving?
Moving a piano costs generally $450-$1250 depending on the brand model, with averages around $650, but prices vary significantly based on piano type (upright vs. grand), distance, stairs, and obstacles, potentially reaching over $2,000 for complex moves.
Ready to Move Your Piano?
Get a free quote for professional piano moving services. We’ll assess your piano, location, and access to provide an accurate estimate.