Equipment and crews, not luck
A piano is the heaviest fragile object in any home — 300 to 500 pounds for an upright, more for a grand, balanced on legs that were never meant to be carried. We move them the traditional, correct way: strapped to a padded piano board, tilted and rolled on a four-wheel dolly, with door frames and floors protected along the route.
Baby grands are prepared properly: the lid secured, the legs and pedal lyre removed and wrapped separately, and the body moved on its straight edge on the board. At the destination we reassemble and place it exactly where it will live — pianos are not furniture you nudge later.
What we move
Upright & console pianos
Spinets, consoles, studios and full uprights, including stair carries in walk-up buildings.
Baby grands & grands
Disassembled, board-mounted, and moved with a three- or four-person crew.
Safes & heavy items
Gun safes, marble and stone tables, commercial equipment — same rigging skills, same care.
Within a full move
Moving house with a piano? It rides in the same truck — we just staff and equip the crew for it.
What it costs
Piano handling inside a full local move is billed at the normal hourly rates — it simply adds crew time. Standalone piano moves are quoted flat after we see photos of the piano and both access points. Send photos to info@premiersantamonicamovers.com or text them to (310) 628-8291.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a piano in Santa Monica?
Within a local move, an upright piano typically adds about an hour of crew time at standard rates. As a standalone job, upright piano moves generally run $350–$550 and baby grands $550–$900 depending on stairs and access — we confirm an exact flat price after a few photos and details.
Can you move a piano up or down stairs?
Yes. Stair carries are done with a piano board, straps, and a crew sized for the weight — typically three or four movers for an upright on stairs. We ask for photos of the stairwell in advance so the right crew and equipment arrive.
Do you move pianos as a standalone job, without a full move?
Yes — piano-only moves are common, including moves between homes, into storage, or to a teacher's studio. The 3-hour minimum applies.