Moving a piano in Brisbane starts from $250 for a ground-floor move, on top of the standard removalist hourly rate of $195 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. Piano moves require specialist equipment and technique — we don’t handle pianos with a standard furniture trolley. For upper-floor or stairs moves, contact us directly to discuss your specific situation and get a confirmed quote.
Brisbane Piano Removalist Pricing
Piano moving is a specialist service that adds a separate fee on top of the standard hourly rate. Here’s how the pricing is structured:
| Piano Move Type | Specialist Fee | Plus Hourly Rate | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground floor to ground floor | $250 | $195/hr (2hr min) | $14 |
| Stairs involved (upper floor) | Contact for quote | $195/hr or $260/hr | $14 |
| Commercial or concert grand | Contact for quote | Varies by scope | $14 |
For a typical ground-floor piano move — say, an upright piano from one single-storey house to another within Brisbane — you’d be looking at the $250 specialist fee plus the hourly labour time. A straightforward 2-hour job would come to $250 + ($195 × 2) + $14 = $654 all up. See our pricing page for all base rates.
What’s Included in a Piano Move
- Specialist piano moving equipment (piano board, skid board, and straps rated for the instrument’s weight)
- Two trained removalists experienced in piano handling
- Removal truck with appropriate load restraints
- Moving blankets and padding to protect the piano’s body, legs, and lid
- $14 flat fuel levy
- Transit insurance covering the instrument
Pianos are dense, fragile instruments — the combination of significant weight and delicate internal mechanics means they can’t be moved like standard furniture. The $250 specialist fee covers the additional risk assessment, equipment, and technique involved.
What Can Change the Cost of a Piano Move
Several factors make piano moves more complex and affect the total cost:
- Piano type — upright pianos are more manageable than baby grands or grand pianos. Concert grands are a specialist job requiring dedicated planning.
- Stairs — moving a piano up or down a staircase is one of the most demanding removalist tasks and requires specific equipment and additional crew. Contact us for a quote if stairs are involved.
- Access restrictions — tight hallways, narrow doorways, or properties where the piano is in a room with limited clearance all affect approach and time
- Long carry — properties where the truck can’t park close to the entrance significantly increase the difficulty and time for a piano move
- Distance — longer drives between pickup and delivery add to the hourly clock
- Day of week — weekend piano moves attract the same small surcharge as any other weekend job
Types of Piano We Move
- Upright pianos — the most common residential piano; typically 150–220kg and manageable with the right equipment on ground floors
- Baby grand pianos — require leg removal, special boards, and careful transport; more complex than uprights
- Grand pianos — full disassembly of legs and lyre, specialist piano board, more crew required; contact for a specific quote
- Digital pianos and electric keyboards — treated as standard furniture; the $250 specialist fee doesn’t apply to digital instruments
Real Example: Upright Piano, Kenmore to Chapel Hill
A family moving an upright piano from a single-storey house in Kenmore to a single-storey house in Chapel Hill. Both properties had easy truck access, wide hallways, and no stairs. The piano was a standard upright at approximately 200kg, in the lounge room.
The piano move took 2 hours as part of a broader partial house move:
- 30 min — prepare piano (remove legs if applicable, apply blankets, secure to piano board)
- 20 min — move from lounge to truck, load and strap securely
- 25 min — drive to Chapel Hill
- 30 min — unload, carry to position in lounge at new property
- 15 min — final placement, checks, remove blankets
Total: 2 hours × $195/hr = $390 + $250 specialist fee + $14 fuel levy = $654
This represents a straightforward ground-floor upright piano move with good access. The $250 specialist fee is what makes it a piano move rather than a regular furniture job — it covers the risk and specific technique involved.
Comparing Your Options for Piano Moving
When getting quotes for a piano move, a few things to be careful about:
- Not all removalists move pianos — some general removalists decline piano work because of the specialist equipment and technique required. Confirm that the company you’re booking has actual piano moving experience and the right equipment.
- Insurance matters more for pianos — a damaged piano is an expensive outcome. Confirm that transit insurance covers the instrument and ask about the claims process.
- Tuning after moving — pianos typically need retuning after a move. This isn’t part of the removalist’s scope, but it’s worth budgeting for (around $150–$250 from a piano tuner).
- Stairs quotes require an inspection — be wary of any company that quotes a fixed price for a stair piano move without assessing the staircase. Stair complexity varies enormously.
At Relocation Rangers, we’re transparent about what’s included and what requires a custom quote. Our base pricing is on our pricing page, and for anything stairs-related, we discuss options before committing to a quote. You can also learn more about our broader Brisbane removalist service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a piano in Brisbane?
A ground-floor upright piano move costs $250 (specialist fee) plus the standard hourly rate of $195/hr with a 2-hour minimum, and a $14 fuel levy. A typical ground-floor piano-only move comes to around $654 all up. Stairs, grand pianos, or complex access require a custom quote.
Can any removalist move a piano?
Not safely. Piano moving requires specialist equipment — including a piano board, rated straps, and specific carrying technique — that a standard removalist team may not have. Always ask whether the company has experience with pianos and what equipment they use. Using a standard furniture trolley on a piano is a common cause of damage.
Does the piano need to be tuned after moving?
How do you move a grand piano?
Grand pianos require the lid, music desk, and legs to be removed before moving. The body is then placed on a specialist piano board for transport. This is a more involved process than moving an upright and requires more time, crew, and planning. Contact us directly if you need a grand piano moved — we’ll discuss the specific approach for your instrument and access conditions.
What access do you need for a piano move?
Ideally, the truck should be able to park within a short carry distance of the entrance. The path from the piano’s current location to the truck should be clear of obstacles. Doorways need to be at least 750mm wide for a standard upright — wider is better. Tight corridors or 90-degree turns in hallways can require additional planning. Tell us about any access constraints when you book.
Do you move pianos up or down stairs?
We do handle piano stair moves, but these require a custom quote rather than the standard $250 specialist fee. The approach, equipment, and crew requirements depend heavily on the number of stairs, the staircase width, the angle of the landing, and the piano type. Contact us directly to discuss stair piano moves.
Can I move a piano in a regular moving truck?
A piano can be transported in a standard removal truck, but only if it’s properly secured on a piano board with rated straps. A piano sliding around in a truck is a major damage risk. Our trucks are set up for piano transport — the instrument is secured and padded before the vehicle moves.
How far in advance should I book a piano move?
Piano moves benefit from at least 1–2 weeks’ notice so we can ensure the right equipment is available and the crew is briefed on the specific access conditions. For complex grand piano or stair moves, more lead time is better. Same-week piano moves are possible when availability allows — contact us to check.
Ready to get a quote for your piano move? Start your online quote here, or call us directly if your move involves stairs or a grand piano — we’ll need a few more details to give you an accurate number.
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- Single Item Removalists Brisbane
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- Cost to Move a 3 Bedroom House
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- Our Full Pricing Guide
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- Removalists Kenmore
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- Removalists Northside Brisbane
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