Shipping Cost from Chicago, Illinois to Antananarivo

Shipping a piano across the country typically costs $1,000 to $4,000+, depending heavily on the piano type (upright vs. grand), distance, accessibility (stairs add significant costs), and if you need specialized services like climate control, with uprights on the lower end and large grands on the higher end. Expect a range from roughly $500-$2,500 for uprights and $2,000-$4,500+ for baby grands and larger, with potential for much higher fees for concert grands or complex moves.

Lifting such a monstrous piece of equipment is back-breaking work, even if you're only lifting it onto a dolly. Many times, confident homeowners attempt to lift a piano and not only damage the instrument but injure themselves. Next time, err on the side of caution: let professionals handle the heavy lifting instead.

To move a piano long distance, hire specialized piano movers for safety and expertise, or if DIY, prepare thoroughly: secure the keyboard, wrap the entire piano in blankets/plastic, use a heavy-duty dolly / skid board, use straps for lifting and securing in a truck, and ensure it's level and tightly strapped in the moving vehicle, using professionals for disassembly/reassembly and tricky spots like stairs.