Though a piano is a majestic and beautiful musical instrument, moving one can be an overwhelming task. This should not be taken lightly because of the piano’s awkward shape, delicate parts, heavy weight, and high value. Even the slightest damage can affect both the instrument’s sound and your investment.
For this reason, you should always hire expert, professional piano movers to make sure your instrument is moved safely and arrives intact. The cost to move a piano is an important factor, and Wise Move makes it easier to understand what may affect your piano moving price in Canada.
The following guide from Wise Move was created to help you understand piano moving costs in Canada. Keep in mind that prices are not fixed and can vary depending on the piano, access, distance, and moving requirements. Wise Move makes piano moves simple, affordable, and stress-free, with our best piano movers ready to handle your instrument with the care it deserves.
When it comes to moving a piano, there are certain factors that affect the final price. Here’s a brief explanation of each factor:
The total distance of the move is one of the key factors when it comes to the cost of moving a piano in Canada. Why do moving costs for short-distance and long-distance piano moves differ so much? The answer is simple: longer moves usually require more time, planning, fuel, and handling.
Short-distance moves usually cost around CA $2.50/km to CA $3.50/km, whereas a long-distance piano move can cost between CA $3.50/km and CA $8/km.
There are many types of pianos, and most of them have distinct figures when it comes to shape, weight, and size. Individual types will need specific handling, so the type of piano you own will heavily impact the total moving cost.
Here’s why the type of instrument can add to the overall moving costs:
The heavier the piano, the more manpower required. Additionally, you may need specialized equipment.
Grand pianos have a structure that’s awkward by nature. Hence, they are extremely difficult to manoeuvre and handle.
Some models require partial disassembly, along with extra cushioning and wrapping.
If there are obstacles present at either location, it may add to the workers’ load and working time which will cause you to incur additional charges.
In most cases, stairs are the riskiest, biggest, and most common obstacle that any mover will have to deal with. They get paid extra in cases like this because stronger manpower (2 to 3 people) and special equipment will be required. Expect to incur additional charges of CA $60 to $140 per staircase, and $6 to $12 per step.
Other obstacles that can add to moving costs are:
Spiral staircases
Tight spaces and sharp turns
Hilly terrains
Narrow doorways
A brick, gravel, or grass walkway leading from the house to the truck
When considering all factors we’ve discussed above, our Wise Move experts have come up with the following estimate of the average cost for moving a piano:
Local Piano Move in Canada: Average Cost of CA $200-$500
Long-distance Piano Move in Canada: Average Cost of CA $800-$2,000
Please Note: To estimate your budget for moving a piano as accurately as possible, be sure to consider all factors and allocate costs according to every factor that’s relevant to your piano move.
Much like any other calculation for a cost estimate, the cost equation is not simple or even the same for everyone when it comes to moving a piano. There are other factors that can affect your final price quote. Our experts at Wise Move have identified some other factors, such as:
If your piano doesn’t easily fit through doors or stairways, you’ll need to pay between $750 and $1,000 for the movers to take the instrument out a window with the help of a crane.
Pianos that are sensitive, large, and very expensive require extra care during packing. They may even need to be dismantled or crated, which can lead to extra costs. Grand pianos generally need to be dismantled during a move. In this case, the legs, music rack, and pedals are removed.
The dismantling process will cost around $100. However, heat-treated crating that’s used for grand pianos can cost anywhere from $800-$1,200.
Professional piano movers usually offer free insurance up to $5,000. If you want to more insurance, it can cost between $10 and $15 for each additional $1,000 of value.
If there are any additional items you’d like moved with your piano, such as a piano bench, the items will be charged by weight. Most commonly it’s roughly $2 per kg.
If for some reason the movers need to store your piano, you can expect to pay between $60 and $100 per month for storage costs.
While the costs of having a piano retuned is generally a “post-move” expense, our expert piano movers at Wise Move suggest investing in this service. The fact is, during transportation, the internal parts of a piano are shaken which can affect performance and sound. So, it’s best to have the instrument tuned a few weeks after your move, as this will also account for the humidity and climate of your new environment.
So, the final cost equation as dictated by our guide is:
Total Cost of a Piano Move = Base Rate + cost per KM + cost per stair + cost per obstacle + additional costs
To make it easier to see, here’s a table that lays out the estimated costs for moving an upright and grand piano in Canada:
|
Local Move |
Long-distance Move |
|
|
Upright Piano |
$200-$500 |
$500-$800 |
|
Grand Piano |
$250-$650 |
$800-$2,000 |
Wise Move makes piano moving in Canada simple, secure, and stress-free. Our best piano movers can handle your valuable instrument with the care, skill, and attention it deserves, giving you a trusted piano moving service that fits your needs, budget, and schedule.
Wise Move is Canada’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve delivered reliable and affordable moving services across Canada. As one of the country’s trusted moving companies, we make moving simple and stress-free with fixed prices that give customers peace of mind every step of the way.
