Piano Shipping Cost from Mexico City to Bowie, Maryland

A piano dolly is essential for moving an upright piano short distances yourself, but hiring professional piano movers is almost always better for safety (yours and the piano's), preventing costly damage, and handling complex moves (like grands or stairs), as they have specialized equipment (skid boards, straps, trucks) and expertise that a standard dolly can't replace for valuable instruments. While a dolly saves money upfront, the potential costs of injury or a ruined piano far outweigh the expense of professionals.

Moving a 500 lb piano requires preparation, proper equipment (like a heavy-duty dolly, straps, and blankets), and at least two strong people, focusing on slow, controlled movements, protecting the finish with padding, securing the keyboard, and using lifting straps for leverage, especially when navigating stairs or tight corners where it might need to go on its side temporarily. Always use the piano's legs for tilting, lift with your legs, and never rely on the small built-in casters for transport.

For an upright piano weighing 300-500 pounds, you can expect cross country piano movers to charge between $1,200 and $2,500 for a coast-to-coast move. Baby grand pianos in the 500-800 pound range typically cost $2,000 to $4,500 for interstate piano shipping.