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Piano Moving You Can Trust: Upright, Baby Grand & More

Most people don’t realize how heavy a piano is until it starts shifting on a staircase. That’s when panic sets in.

Uprights can weigh 300 to 500 pounds. Grands can push past 1,000. And the weight isn’t where you think it is.

One wrong tilt can cause real damage. That’s why moving a piano requires special prepping, equipment, and care.

We’ve seen cracked legs, scraped floors, even chipped stair rails from DIY attempts. Most of it could’ve been avoided with the right prep.

We’ve handled uprights in fifth-floor walk-ups and grands in buildings that required elevator reservations and certificates of insurance.

Give us a call and we’ll take it securely from one place to another, even when the move includes walk-ups, tight hallways, and busy city streets.

NYC Piano Movers

For many clients, the piano isn’t just furniture. It’s family history, and that’s how we treat it.

Every move starts with a walkthrough. Our trained piano moving crews check the stair angles, elevator dimensions, and entry clearances before we even touch the piano.

After the walkthrough, we pad door frames, lay floor runners, and secure the piano to a custom dolly to distribute weight evenly on stairs.

We use protective strapping to secure every part of your piano, from legs and pedals to the lid.

Grand pianos require disassembly before transport. The legs come off first. Then the lyre. Everything is wrapped before it leaves the room.

We schedule piano moving separately from general household jobs so the crew can focus only on the instrument, managing prep, protection, transport, and setup from start to finish.
NYC Movers

What Actually Makes Piano Moves Complicated in NYC

Piano moving is about knowing where to lift, how to balance the weight, and how to protect the instrument in tight spaces so you can continue enjoying the melody of your piano for years.

Protecting Your Instrument
Even a small misstep can throw your piano out of tune or cause serious damage.

Our team at Imperial follows a step-by-step plan that starts with measuring clearances before lifting anything followed by careful wrapping and crating.

Avoiding Injuries
Pianos aren’t just heavy; they’re unevenly balanced. Most of the weight sits where people don’t expect it.

Our crew uses controlled lifting techniques and proper positioning on stairs and landings, reducing the risk of back strain, crushed fingers, and pulled shoulders.

Tools and Know-How
Standard moving equipment isn’t enough for a piano. We use reinforced dollies, heavy-duty strapping systems, floor protection, and lift planning specific to the building layout.

For grand pianos, we disassemble and wrap each component before transport to prevent stress on the frame.

Handling NYC’s Complex Logistics
New York buildings add challenges most moves don’t have: COIs, elevator reservations, tight brownstone entries, and restricted parking windows.

We coordinate these details in advance so the piano moves smoothly from one address to the next without last-minute surprises.

Full Licensing and Insurance
Not all moving companies are properly licensed or insured, and when it comes to an expensive instrument like a piano, that’s not a risk worth taking.

Imperial is fully licensed and insured. Plus, we follow strict safety protocols to minimize the likelihood of an incident.

Justifying the Cost
Hiring professional piano movers is a small price to pay compared to the value of the instrument.

Uprights, baby grands, and concert pianos can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

So why would anyone want to take the chance with a DIY attempt or an amateurish mover? When it arrives without a scratch, still in tune, you’ll be glad you worked with experts.
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Trusted Piano Moving Services in New York

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Local Piano Moving

Even moving a piano a few blocks can require elevator reservations and stair protection. Our NYC piano moving services handle every detail with care and precision so your instrument gets where it needs to go, safely, on time, and at a fair price.

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Long Distance Piano Moving

Taking your piano beyond NYC or across the country? We’re here to help. Our team specializes in long-distance piano moves, offering secure delivery anywhere in the U.S. Give us a call and we’ll handle every step of your piano journey.

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Piano Moves of All Sizes

From spinets to full-size grands, we handle pianos of every shape and weight. Whether it’s a 350-pound slim upright or 1,200-pound grand, our team has the experience and equipment to move it safely and securely.

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Piano Disassembly & Packing

Grand pianos must be taken apart before they hit the road, and our skilled piano crews know how to do it right. They carefully remove each piece, from the pedals to the lid, and wrap everything securely for safe transport.

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Piano Storage

Need a safe place to store your piano in NYC? If your piano needs to sit for a few weeks or a few months, it stays in climate-controlled storage where humidity is monitored year-round.

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Piano Reassembly

Once your piano arrives, our team will put it back together, reassembling every part correctly and securely, from the legs and pedals to the lid and bench. All you have to do is tune it and play your favorite music pieces.

From Pianos to Full Homes: We’ve Got NYC Covered

See why New Yorkers count on us for everything from complex piano moves to everyday relocations.

If disaster (or the weather) strikes and your movers suddenly can’t show up, what happens next will depend on a few different factors…

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If disaster (or the weather) strikes and your movers suddenly can’t show up, what happens next will depend on a few different factors: the moving company itself, your current and future landlords, and the nature of your current and future leases. “There are a lot of variables that are affected by the cancellation,” says Ruma Ferdous of Imperial Moving. “For instance, clients are worried about finding another mover, making sure they have proper insurance to work in the building, if their current landlords will allow them to stay for another day or if they will charge another month’s rent, etc.”

Virginia K. Smith
Brick Underground
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Virginia K. Smith
Brick Underground

Joanne Russo felt a sense of panic when she awoke on October 29 to a rain-soaked, wind-battered city and reports that the worst was yet to come.

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Joanne Russo felt a sense of panic when she awoke on October 29 to a rain-soaked, wind-battered city and reports that the worst was yet to come. “The last thing we wanted was to get stuck,” said Ms. Russo. “We were afraid the movers would bail on us and then we wouldn’t be able to leave for days.” She was relieved when Imperial Moving called at 8 a.m. to say that they would be there in an hour. As businesses shut down and traffic vanished, the movers emptied the women’s two-bedroom on East 31st Street and carted their belongings to their new sixth-floor apartment at 20th Street and First Avenue. They finished shortly before the electricity went out and the elevator shuddered to a stop. Calling it a rough week barely begins to describe New York after Hurricane Sandy.

Kim Velsey
THE NEW YORK OBSERVER
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Kim Velsey
THE NEW YORK OBSERVER

“We don’t charge extra if we take a half an hour longer like most companies,” boasts president Daniel Norber.

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“We don’t charge extra if we take a half an hour longer like most companies,” boasts president Daniel Norber. “We do whatever we can to maintain the price no matter what; we care about our reputation more than that extra $50.” Sweet! Because quite frankly, we do care about that $50.

Sandra Plasse
TimeOut New York
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Sandra Plasse
TimeOut New York

“Zaur and Johny were great and efficient. They handled everything with care and made my NYC move stress-free. Highly recommend Imperial Movers!”

Olivia Russell

“Imperial Movers managed a fairly complex interstate move for me recently. The team was friendly, efficient, and extremely careful with my belongings.”

Mary O’Rourke

“Outstanding job, both moving out and back in, for an apartment renovation. Not an item broken, and incredibly efficient team. On the move‑out to storage, particular kudos to Arpad (the kitchen packer) and Doctor, the team leader.”

Jonathan R.
Head profile of an employee with black hat at Imperial Movers.

Moving is never fun, but in my experience Imperial makes it as stress-free as possible. I wouldn’t use anyone else.

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I’ve used Imperial Moving several times over the years—from a small studio move to most recently moving out of a 3-bedroom apartment, which included carrying a piano up 3 flight of stairs. Every single time, they’ve been professional, efficient, and incredibly reliable.

Their pre-move support is excellent—clear communication, transparent estimates, and helpful coordination that makes the process feel so smooth. On moving day, their crew always shows up on time, ready to work, and handles everything with care and attention. The movers are courteous, fast, and clearly experienced. Even with heavy or delicate items, they take the time to do things right.

Moving is never fun, but in my experience Imperial makes it as stress-free as possible. I wouldn’t use anyone else.

Ido Levran
Head profile of an employee with black hat at Imperial Movers.
Ido Levran
Head profile of an employee in Imperial Movers

Highly recommend Imperial Movers — they truly go above and beyond!

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We used Imperial Movers for our relocation in July 2023, and they did an absolutely fantastic job. Dr., the foreman, and the entire team were professional, diligent, energetic, and kind throughout the entire process.

Every item we owned was packed with care and arrived at our new home without a single scratch or anything missing. Their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction made a typically stressful experience completely smooth and worry-free.

Their pricing was very fair, and what stood out even more was their integrity — not once did they try to upcharge us, even when opportunities naturally arose during the move. That kind of honesty is rare and deeply appreciated.

Highly recommend Imperial Movers — they truly go above and beyond!

Or Israel
Head profile of an employee in Imperial Movers
Or Israel

Piano Moving FAQs

Short answer? Yes. Pianos are extremely heavy, awkward in shape, and easy to damage. The Imperial team uses specialized equipment and training to move your instrument safely so you can get down to playing instead of worrying over costly repairs.

Prices for moving a piano depend on the piano type, location, distance, and whether the building has an elevator. Contact us for a free quote so you know what to expect.

Yes, we regularly move pianos in NYC walk-ups. Our expert piano movers are trained to navigate tight stairwells while protecting your home and piano throughout the move.

We move all types of pianos, including grands and baby grands. We disassemble the legs, wrap each piece with care, and use custom equipment to ensure secure transport.

Yes. Imperial Movers is fully licensed and insured, so you’re not worrying about damage claims or repair costs afterward.

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Contact our team today!

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Moving a Piano? Let the Experts Handle It

Don’t want to risk your piano during a move? Our trained pros at Imperial Movers use the right tools and techniques to ensure your piano arrives safely, no matter the size or distance.