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I'm having my piano delivered (today, supposedly). In fact, that deliverer was supposed to arrive about an hour ago! No one at the piano shop has heard from him so I think I have enough breathing room to ask these questions.
All questions relate to a 49'' upright. I've done a search on the forum and have not see these particular questions addressed.
1. What is the cost to move a piano up 2 flights of stairs (big landing in the middle, no corners / turns).
I'm getting a quote of $225 for the piano, $60 for each flight plus mileage from the store, which amounts to another $100. Is this EXTREMELY excessive?
I don't want to skimp but this seems like a lot.
2. Do any of you know piano movers in Chicago that you recommend?
3. Has anyone had experience moving an upright using a crane? The piano movers came over to give an estimate and they can't get the piano into the room I would love to have it in going through the house.
Has anyone moved a piano using a crane to a 3rd story apartment through a window?
The window is a few inches taller and wider than the piano.
While the rates you quote are a little high they are not far out of line.
A "flying" delivery (a crane, lift or Block & Tackle), in high risk and expense. We do one or two a year. Usually costs are $1000-$2000 depending on circumstances. THIS IS A HIGHLY SPECIALIZE TECHNIQUE. BE SURE THE MOVER IS VERY EXPERIENCED.
Piano Industry Consultant
Co-author (with Larry Fine) of Practical Piano Valuation www.jasonsmc@msn.com
Contributing Editor & Consultant - Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer
Retired owned of Jasons Music Center Maryland/DC/No. VA Family Owned and Operated Since 1937.
Thank you so much. I feel so much better after reading your advice. I'm going to just go ahead with the standard move and not mess around with the crane at all. I also spoke with a few other piano moving companies and their advice was completely consistent with yours.
I was just a little nervous after reading previous posts where someone indicated that a piano move should cost around $120!!!!
Too late to do you any good for today, but since you asked: when I had my Estonia moved in to my condo - second floor - it had to be moved in with a crane, and the move was done by a piano moving company. It was they who hired the crane and operator. Total cost of move from dealer to my second floor living room (about 20 miles) $750.00
My piano cost about 150 or so to move here, it is a grand, not an uprigth though. I was very worried it would not fit through a passage way with a very low drop, but fortunately another route was found. If I want to get a 9 footer in though, I think the only way is the crane!
I started in the piano business delivering pianos (0uch!). I can't tell you how many times I heard ... "It should be easy", "the stairs are wide", "we have an elevator" (the piano wouldn't fit horizontally), "the sofa came up this way" (since when did a sofa weigh 750Lb?).
I learned to tune/repair/sell pianos because I didn't want to carry the *%&$# things anymore!
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
