How many movers does it take to move a grand piano?
We always send 4 movers for a grand or baby grand piano. That crew costs $235 per hour, truck included. When the grand is the only thing moving, the job has a 4-hour minimum; when it is part of a full household move, the normal 3-hour minimum applies to the whole job.
The longer answer
What the minimums work out to
| Job | Crew rate | Minimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Grand piano only | $235/hr | 4 hours = $940 |
| Grand plus the rest of the home | $235/hr | 3 hours = $705 |
After the minimum, time is billed in 15-minute steps. There is no extra fee for the piano itself, and the rate already covers the crew and truck. Our moving cost guide explains how hourly billing works.
Why a smaller crew is not an option
A grand is heavy, wide and shaped unevenly, with most of its weight sitting on one side of the case. Getting it through a doorway or around a corner takes coordinated hands at each end and along the body. Four movers is the number that lets the team control the weight at every step, without rushing or improvising. So the crew size stays the same no matter how short the distance, whether the piano is crossing town or moving between two rooms on the same floor. Enough hands also means the case is carried, not dragged or pivoted on one corner, which is easier on your floors and door frames.
Access details that change the time
- Stairs at either address, including front steps.
- Narrow doors, tight hallways or sharp turns.
- A long walk from the front door to where the truck can park.
- An elevator, and whether the piano fits in it.
Stairs and long carries carry no fee, but they add minutes, so tell us about them. Share the details on our quote form, and see the piano movers page for more.
More questions people ask
Is a baby grand treated like a full grand?
Yes. Baby grands get the same four-person crew.
Does the 4-hour minimum apply if I am moving my whole house?
No. With a full move, the job uses its regular minimum and the piano is one item among many.
Will a 3-person crew cost less for a grand?
We do not move grands with three people, so the four-mover rate is the one that applies.