A piano can be defined as a musical instrument that is like a large keyboard with a wooden case. It encloses metal strings and a soundboard that are struck by hammers when you press the keys. The vibration of the strings results in producing a melodious sound.
As we know, the piano is large in size and is also heavy. It cannot be lifted by a single person. Plus, if you are moving your house, you also need to move your piano. You may also need to move your piano to your friend’s house or any other place according to your needs.
For this purpose, you need to hire a professional moving company to move your piano from one place to another. Top piano movers are required to do this task efficiently such as local piano movers use the best techniques and uplifting their standards.
Hiring a professional mover is never cheap. The total moving cost is not constant because different factors are needed to be considered to calculate the total moving cost. So, every piano and location have different charges.
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Factors Affecting Total Moving Cost
Local piano movers in provide different quotes to different customers depending on some important factors. These factors are needed to be considered to calculate the total moving cost of a piano. These factors have been enlisted below:
1. Weight, Type, and Size of Piano
The total moving cost of a piano greatly depends upon its size and weight because it costs more to move the larger and heavier pianos from one place to another.
It is because such pianos are difficult to move. Pianos become heavier because of their cast-iron frame that is shaped like a harp.
Different types of pianos have different sizes, weights, styles, designs, etc. So, more movers are required to move heavy and larger pianos with specialized equipment and more wrapping materials.
The need for more movers results in increased labor costs which add to the total moving cost of a piano.
You need to pay more money if you need to move a grand piano because of its unique shape and dimensions that make it difficult and tough to move it from Point A to Point B.
If you want to get an accurate moving cost for your piano, you need to know the exact dimensions of the piano. You can do it by using a measuring tape or any other measuring instrument.
2. Moving Distance
Moving distance also plays a vital role in total moving cost because it adds to the fuel cost. The increase in distance results in increasing the piano’s total moving cost.
In terms of price, there is a great difference whether you want to move the piano within your town or another town. It is because it involves different expenses such as wear and tear, fuel, time, etc.
If you need to move your piano from one house to another within the same town, it will cost less as compared to moving your piano from one town to another.
It is because there is a great difference between the distance of both. Thus, the moving cost increases with the increase in the moving distance.
Obstacles on Moving Day Overcome by Local Piano Movers
You should keep in mind that there are different types of obstacles that are needed to be overcome by the movers the day of moving the piano.
Thus, it results in increasing the total moving cost. It is like you need to spend more money on the people who are investing more time and effort to get your work done efficiently.
The obstacles that result in increasing the total moving cost may include the stairs. It is because different houses have different types and styles of stairs where sometimes it may become difficult for the movers to take the piano downstairs.
So, moving a piano through the difficult stairs will cost you more. Plus, the movers may also charge you five to ten dollars per step or forty to a hundred dollars per staircase. Some other obstacles may include narrow doorways, tight spaces, tight corners, etc.
Your piano’s total moving cost can also get increased if the patch between the moving truck and your front door is tricky to walk. So, you will be charged for the inconvenience.
Average Cost of Moving Piano
Usually, the average moving cost of a piano ranges from $200 to $400. This average cost for all types of pianos, i.e., from 300-pound spinet pianos to 9 ft, concerns pianos that may weigh about half a ton or more. This average cost also does not specify any moving distance.
As we know, the total moving cost of a piano depends upon different factors, so the exact cost cannot be estimated. For average distances, the average cost is about $400, but for long distances, the average moving cost of the piano ranges from 700 dollars to 2000 dollars.
Calculation Method by Local Piano Movers
Different calculation methods are used by different piano movers. Some movers charge per hour, and some give you a flat rate to calculate the total moving cost. These methods have been explained below:
1. Flat Rate
When the distance is very long, some movers give you a flat rate that is calculated on the basis of piano weight, the complexity of the job, piano size, and moving distance.
This method is considered the best way to get an accurate piano moving quote. All the obstacles and difficulties in moving are determined by the movers before providing you the quote and service.
You should know that the base rate of professional piano movers is about $50. The moving cost of the piano is estimated at an average rate of approximately 1.5 dollars per mile for a local move, and for long-distance, it is three dollars per mile. Additional charges are also added depending upon the type of stairs.
2. Hourly Rate
Some piano movers decide to charge their customers per hour for providing moving services. So, the total moving cost depends upon the hours spent on providing moving service. The increase in the number of hours results in increasing the total moving cost of the piano.
The factors that are involved in the final price using this method include the time required for moving the piano from one location to the other.
It also includes the number of movers that are involved in this project, the amount of travel fee, and the type of equipment being used for moving the piano.
When the movers charge at an hourly rate, they usually charge a minimum of three hours of labor.
The estimated average time is needed for packing the piano, getting it out of your house, loading it safely into the moving vehicle, delivering it to the destination, unloading it safely, and getting it inside the house.
Additional Costs
Some additional costs are also associated with moving the piano from one location to another. This additional cost is added depending upon the type of moving service you require because extra services require extra charges.
Following are some of the extra services that can result in increasing the total moving cost of a piano:
· Hoisting
The service of hoisting is required by the moving company when there are too narrow hallways, stairs, or doors. In this situation, the piano is needed to be hoisted out by the movers through the balcony or the window by using specialized equipment. So, this extra service will charge the extra money for about $700 to $1000.
· Crating
If you own a piano and you love it, you will surely want it to move safely. It will be your great concern to move your piano with protection without letting it get damaged.
The safest means of moving the piano is to use a customized wooden crate for the transportation of the piano. It will cost you about 800 dollars to move the piano through the wooden crate.
· Partial Disassembly
You should know that you need the service of partial disassembly if you need to move a grand piano as we know that a grand piano cannot be moved easily when it is assembled. So, it is needed to be disassembled to move from one location to another, which is done by the movers.
You need to pay extra money to get the service of partial disassembly to move the piano safely. You will be charged about a hundred dollars to get this service. The movers will remove the music rack, pedal box, and the leg of the piano.
· Re-Tuning
If you need the re-tuning service for your piano, you will have to pay extra money to the piano movers. In some cases, your piano needs this service before moving it to another location. The reason behind getting this service is the unavoidable vibrations and shocks on the road.
Plus, you may also need this service due to the different climate at your new place. So, the expected cost of this service ranges from $100-$150.
· Insurance
The professional movers of piano provide you insurance at the cost of 5000 dollars. If you are interested in getting extra insurance for your piano, you need to pay extra money. This extra money can cost 15 dollars per 1000 dollars of value.
Emergency Moving
If you need an emergency piano moving service, it will cost you more than moving a regular piano. It is because the piano movers charge you for providing you with convenience and emergency service. They charge you extra money for being available at the time you need them.
For example, if you ask the movers to provide you moving service before a week of moving the piano, you will be charged with the standard amount depending on the factors involved in calculating the total moving cost.
But if you contact the movers at the last minute and need them urgently at your place, they will charge you with extra money for about $400 to $600.
Why Hire Local Piano Movers?
You should hire a local piano mover who can provide you with efficient and reliable services. No doubt, the professionals provide you with the right quote considering the factors that are involved in calculating the total moving cost.
The professionals visit your current location and the destination to check the area and provide you with an accurate quote. They use quality equipment to move the piano, so it does not get damaged while moving. The number of movers depends upon the type of piano, so you will be charged accordingly.
If you think that you can save your money by moving the piano yourself instead of hiring a professional mover, you should keep in mind that it is not an easy task to perform. Plus, you will also have to buy the equipment needed to move the piano.
But this equipment is already available to the movers as it is their job and they move the piano of different customers from different locations.
Conclusion
If you need to move your piano from one location to another, it is recommended to hire a professional mover like a local piano mover. He will provide you with the right quote for the total moving cost of the piano.
He will also provide you with extra services according to your needs, but you will be charged with extra money for this.
Read also: Things to Consider When Choosing a Moving Company