Piano moving
Piano movers in Ottawa
TLC Moving & Storage moves pianos in Ottawa with the care a heavy, valuable instrument needs. Piano moving is one of the services on our Google profile. For a free estimate, call (613) 830-7402 or use our form, and tell us the piano type, the stairs and both addresses.
- Special handling for pianos
- Fully insured movers
- Free, no-obligation estimates
What a piano move involves
A piano is heavy and easy to mark, so it moves differently from other furniture. A piano move usually involves:
Checking the route
Doorways, hallways, turns and stairs are looked at before anything is lifted.
Protecting the case
The piano is wrapped in moving pads so the finish and every edge are covered.
Strapping and a dolly
It is strapped and rolled on a dolly, never on its own small casters.
Grands on their side
A grand piano usually has its legs and pedal lyre taken off and travels on its long side, on a padded board.
Securing it in the truck
It is belted in place so it can't move on the drive.
Why piano moving takes more than two strong movers
Start with the weight. Steinway lists its 52-inch K-52 upright at 650 lb (295 kg), and its 5-foot-7 Model M grand at 603 lb (274 kg). That's why stairs and tight turns take planning before moving day, not on it.
A scraped case or a knocked leg is also hard to undo, which is why our residential moves give pianos the same special handling as antiques and artwork.
How to get ready for piano moving day
A little preparation makes the move quicker and safer:
Tell us the piano and the route
Upright or grand, the floor it's on now, where it's going, and the stairs at each end.
Clear the path
Move rugs, small furniture and anything hanging on the walls along the way.
Empty the top
Take off photos, lamps and music before the movers arrive.
Choose the new spot
The Piano Technicians Guild advises keeping a piano away from heating and cooling vents, stoves, doors, windows and direct sunlight.
Tuning after a piano move
A move changes the air around the piano. The Piano Technicians Guild says seasonal and even daily changes in humidity make wood parts swell and shrink, which affects tuning stability. It puts the ideal relative humidity inside a piano at 42%.
So plan a tuning once the piano has settled into its new room, and book it with a piano technician.
Piano moving as part of a home move
If the piano is part of a bigger move, it travels with the rest of your residential move, or with a long-distance move out of Ottawa. Mention it when you book, so the plan and the crew allow for it.
What Ottawa customers say about TLC
I’ve moved multiple times in the past few years and always hired this company because of their great service and extra care for my furniture!
Google review, 3 August 2026
From the initial walk through by Emad to provide an accurate quote to the moving day, where the crew were friendly and went above and beyond to get all of my stuff from the old house to the new house!
Google review, 5 May 2025
Questions about moving with TLC
Does it cost a lot to move a piano?
It costs more than moving most furniture because of the weight and the care involved. The price depends on the type of piano, the stairs at each end and the distance. We give a free, no-obligation estimate once we know those details.
How much does it cost to move a piano upstairs?
Stairs add time and hands, so they add to the price. How much depends on the number of steps, the turns and the piano. Tell us about the stairs when you call and we'll include them in your free estimate.
How heavy is a piano?
Steinway lists its K-52 upright at 650 lb (295 kg) and its Model M grand, at 5 feet 7 inches long, at 603 lb (274 kg).
Do I need to tune my piano after moving it?
Plan for it. The Piano Technicians Guild says changes in humidity affect tuning stability, and a new room brings new air. Let the piano settle in its new spot, then book a tuning with a piano technician.
Free estimate
Get your free estimate
Tell us about your move and we will come back with a free, obligation-free estimate. You can also call (613) 830-7402.