A piano is a vulnerable instrument whose weight and delicate mechanics demand trained hands and proper rigging at every stage. Moon Movers sends a dedicated piano crew for every job in Chicago.
Moving a piano begins before the truck arrives. The route through the building is studied in advance — every doorway measured, every staircase checked for load capacity. The crew size is matched to the instrument's weight, and all detachable components are removed and wrapped separately before the piano leaves its room.
The price depends on the weight and dimensions of the instrument, the number of floors, and the distance. An upright piano is lighter and simpler to handle than a concert grand, so the crew size and the hours differ. A dispatcher can give you a figure after a short survey of the route and the instrument itself.
Yes. Temperature and humidity in the new room change the tension of the strings, and the soundboard needs time to settle. After delivery the lids are left closed for at least a week. Wiping any condensation that forms is not recommended — let it dry on its own. Only then should a tuner be called.
The piano is turned back-first toward the railing and lifted about six inches off each step. Crew size follows the weight — a typical upright calls for three or four. The crew moves in one steady pass, without stopping between landings.
The lower pedal cover and the upper lid are unlatched and taken off — they can swing open and crack during the carry. The strike mechanism stays in place. Removed parts are wrapped in dense fabric or bubble wrap and loaded into the truck separately.
A grand piano is placed on its side with the lid removed and the legs unbolted. It is heavier and wider than an upright, so it usually requires four or more movers and a larger truck. The strings face inward toward the truck wall, and the body is strapped at several points to prevent shifting.
Sharp swings in temperature stress the soundboard and loosen string tension. On cold days the piano goes straight from one room into the truck and from the truck into the next room with no waiting outside. After delivery the lids stay closed and any condensation is left to dry on its own.
Our Recent Piano Moves
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How Your Piano Moves
Step 1 of 4
Survey & Plan
Before the crew arrives a dispatcher surveys the building — measuring doorways, checking stair width, and counting the flights. The piano is weighed or its model looked up to decide how many movers the job needs. The truck is chosen by the instrument's dimensions.
Video or on-site walk-through of the route
Doorways, halls and stairs measured for clearance
Crew size set by the piano's weight and model
15–20 minDispatcher
Every obstacle on the path noted before the moving day
Disassembly & Wrapping
The pedal cover and the upper lid are unlatched and removed, then wrapped in dense fabric. Foam padding goes between the keys and the keyboard cover, and heavy paper shields the strings. The whole piano is wrapped in moving blankets with the corners protected by cardboard.
Pedal cover and lid taken off first
Keys padded, strings shielded with paper
Blankets over the body, cardboard on every corner
Openings left so movers can grip the instrument
Carry & Load
Wide fabric straps are looped over the movers' shoulders and under the piano. On stairs the instrument travels back-first against the railing, lifted in one continuous motion. Inside the truck it stands upright, strapped to the wall at several points so nothing shifts in transit.
Fabric straps distribute the load across the movers' shoulders evenly
Back-first descent, no stops between landings
Piano secured upright against the truck wall
One steady carry from room to truck with no halfway rest
Delivery & Settling
The piano is brought inside and placed where the owner points. Legs and pedal assemblies are bolted back on and the instrument is leveled. The lids stay closed for at least a week so the soundboard and strings can adjust to the new room's temperature and humidity before a tuner is called.
Piano placed at the chosen spot
Legs and pedals reattached
Lids closed for the settling period
Tuning scheduled only after the wood has acclimated
Moon Movers sends a dedicated piano crew across Chicago and the surrounding communities. Whether the instrument is a compact upright or a full concert grand, the same rigging routine applies — survey, wrap, strap, carry, and deliver the piano to its new spot. Safes, antiques and other specialty moving jobs follow a similar routine.
