Piano Shipping Cost from Sterling Heights, Michigan to Los Angeles, California

When relocating from Michigan to California, expect professional movers to cost around $3,653 to $7,551, roughly $3,363 for a container move, and close to $2,211 for a rental truck. *Based on a 2–3 bedroom home and a seven–18 day delivery estimate. Final cost and timing depend on home size, distance, and season.

Moving a piano costs roughly $150-$650 locally and $500-$2,500+ for long distances, depending heavily on the piano's type (grand is more), weight, distance, and obstacles like stairs, which add significant fees. Expect to pay more for larger pianos (concert grands) and complex moves involving many steps or tight spaces, potentially increasing costs to several thousand dollars, while simple upright moves are at the lower end.

A piano dolly helps, but hiring specialized piano movers is generally much better and safer than DIY moving, even with a dolly, because pianos are incredibly heavy (often 1000+ lbs), fragile, and require specific equipment (like skid boards for grands, specialized dollies, ramps, padding) and expertise to avoid severe damage or injury, especially with stairs or valuable instruments. While a dolly provides easier rolling on flat surfaces, it doesn't replace the skills, insurance, and specialized tools professionals offer for navigating tricky spots and protecting your investment.