Can You Move a Grand Piano?

Can You Move a Grand Piano?

Last updated: October 2026

Yes. Grands are partially taken apart first. The legs, pedals, and music stand come off. Then the piano is padded, moved on its side on a skid board, and put back together at the destination.

A grand piano is one of the most awkward things anyone owns. It's heavy, it's wide, and its shape doesn't match any doorway. It also stands on three legs that were never meant to carry it across a room, let alone down a flight of stairs. That's why a grand doesn't move standing up. Ever.

How a grand piano moves

The parts come off. The legs, pedals, music stand, and lid are removed.

The piano gets padded. The whole body is wrapped and padded so the finish and the edges are protected.

It goes on its side. The piano is turned onto its straight side and strapped to a skid board.

It rolls out. On the skid board, the piano can move through doorways and onto the truck.

It comes back together. At the new home, the piano goes back on its legs, the pedals and music stand go back on, and it's placed where you want it.

Baby grands too

Baby grands move the same way. They're smaller than a full grand, but they still don't fit through a doorway standing up. Same process, same care.

Stairs and high-rises

Every grand piano move is planned around the building. A baby grand in a lakefront high-rise with a freight elevator is a different job from one at the top of a three-flat. If the staircase won't work, the window or balcony will. Read what if my piano won't fit up the staircase.

After the move

Moving a piano can affect its tuning. Plan to have your piano tuner come out once the piano has settled into its new home.

Why the skid board matters

The skid board is what makes the whole thing work. Once the piano is on its side and strapped down, the board takes the weight evenly along the length of the case, so nothing is resting on a corner or a delicate edge while the piano rolls through a hallway or gets lifted onto the truck. It turns an impossible shape into a manageable one.

Coverage

Every move includes our standard coverage, which is based on weight. For a valuable instrument, you can buy full coverage insurance separately. Read are you licensed and insured.

Storing it between homes

If the piano can't go straight to the new home, we can store it in storage where both temperature and humidity are managed. Our piano storage service has the details.

Pricing

Piano moves are priced by piano type, stairs, and distance, and quoted after a few questions about both locations. For more, read how much does piano moving cost in Chicago.

For other instruments, including uprights, read our post on moving pianos and antiques.

Grand pianos are part of our piano moving service, under our piano moving hub and our moving services.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com, and tell us about your grand.