Shipping Cost from San Francisco, California to San Jose

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 with short, flat moves but hiring professional piano movers is almost always better for safety, preventing costly damage (like a cracked soundboard or ruined floors), and handling stairs/tight spots, as they have specialized equipment, experience, and insurance for these heavy, delicate instruments. While a dolly saves money upfront, the risk of injury or significant repair costs usually outweighs the cost of professionals, especially for valuable or grand pianos.

Yes, professional piano movers are almost always worth the cost, as they prevent serious damage to your expensive instrument, home, and yourself by using specialized equipment, expertise for tricky navigation (stairs, tight corners), and proper handling techniques, saving you potential repair costs and immense stress, even if it seems expensive upfront. DIY attempts risk injury, costly repairs (tuning, structural), and damage to floors/walls, often costing more in the long run.