Pianos are rare beasts in the world of musical instruments. They’re grand, heavy, delicate, and deeply sentimental. Even a small bump or tilt can wreak havoc on the mechanics or finish.
In New Zealand, many homes have narrow corridors, wooden floors, or stairs that make piano moving even more of a headache. You’re going to need more than brute strength.
That’s why hiring professional NZ piano movers is usually the safest route. If you’re feeling brave (or strapped for cash), this guide will walk you through how to move a piano yourself as safely as possible.
In this guide:
Moving your piano isn’t just like sliding a couch across the lounge. Pianos come with quirks, drama, and a price tag that makes your other furniture look cheap. They aren’t all built the same, which means how you move them isn’t the same either.
Broadly speaking, there are three main categories which we've outlined below.
Big, bold, and not at all shy. Grand pianos are the divas of the piano world with horizontal frames, long strings, and enough presence to take over an entire room. They’re also the heaviest and priciest, which makes them the riskiest to move without professional help.
Their design, with gravity resetting the hammers, means you get faster play and more control than other types. Sizes range from around 1.4 metres up to nearly 3 metres in length. Translation? You’ll need serious gear and serious muscle to shift one safely.
Reliable, compact, and easier to slot into New Zealand living rooms, uprights are the “get-on-with-it” workhorses. Their soundboards and strings stand vertically, which saves space while still delivering rich tones.
Uprights usually stand between 110 and 140 cm tall and around 155 cm wide. They’re still heavy, but more forgiving to move than a grand. If you’re tempted to DIY, an upright is the only piano type where that idea isn’t totally mad (though still risky without the right kit).
The easy one in the bunch. No strings, no soundboards, no hammers. Instead, you have sensors, speakers, and tech wizardry. Tap a key, and it triggers a recorded note that plays back through the speakers.
Digital pianos are light, portable, and some even run on batteries. They’re the most forgiving when it comes to moving. Toss one in the backseat (carefully, please) and you’re basically done.
Bottom line: not all pianos are created equal. Knowing what you’ve got determines how you protect it, how you lift it, and whether you call in the pros. Misjudge it, and you’re looking at scratched floors, broken pedals, or worse, a very expensive repair bill.
You may think bribing friends with pizza will cover it. Reality check: pianos are big, intricate, and hard to move, and even pizza won’t make it easy.
But (and it’s a big but), if you’re brave enough to slap an ‘S’ on your chest and call yourself the DIY superhero, let’s look at when you can DIY it and when to call the pros.
Pros: cheaper, full control over timing, no scheduling hassles
Cons: high risk of injury or damage, no insurance cover, can take much longer
While hiring pros is usually the best choice, with the right know-how, you can tackle your piano move yourself. It’s not as simple as plonking it on a dolly and rolling it out the door; you need to know what you're doing. The steps that follow will keep you on track and hopefully keep your piano in one piece.
Moving a piano requires certain tools, which are essential to get the job done. Even professional movers use this equipment too. You’ll want:
If you're moving a grand or baby grand, include a piano board (a specialised frame to support the weight) and extra padding for legs and lid.
Grab the tape measure. Knowing the dimensions of your piano and the space it’s headed for is the only way to avoid nasty surprises mid-move. Measure everything twice, and if you’re worried about scratches, pad doors and frames with blankets for extra protection.
What you need to measure:
Rather be safe than sorry: add a buffer of 10–20 mm extra. If any tight turns or low ceilings exist, plan alternate paths or partial dismantling.
Before you roll out your piano, you’ll need:
Most people run into trouble moving a piano because they overestimate their own strength. This is not a solo job. An extra pair of hands makes the move safer and smoother, which is exactly why professional piano movers always work in teams.
Here’s your ideal setup depending on the piano:
Most pianos live tucked into one end of the lounge, which usually means furniture, rugs, or appliances stand in the way when it’s time to move. Clearing a safe, open path is the first step before you even think about lifting.
Once the path is cleared, double-check for small objects that could cause slips, scratch the floor, or jolt the piano.
Here comes the most important step in this guide, where you put everything into practice. The method varies depending on the type of piano:
Once delivered, reverse the steps: unwrap, reattach legs and pedals, and let the piano settle before calling a tuner.
After arrival, position it in its new spot, remove the padding, and allow it to rest before tuning.
Pianos, especially acoustic ones, are sensitive to climate change (temperature, humidity). After a move:
Pianos may look tough, but they’re fragile and expensive. One wrong move can crack a soundboard or dent your home, which is why knowing what not to do is just as vital as following the steps.
Pianos aren’t your average “grab-a-mate” furniture item. Uprights can weigh over 130 kg, and grands can push 600+ kg. They’re heavy, fragile, and awkward to grip. Moving one safely takes at least 3–5 strong people, depending on the piano type. Too few hands, and you risk losing control, damaging the instrument, or worse, hurting someone.
Moving a piano is a precision job, not a sprint. Go slow, take breaks, and keep communication clear. Rushing can mean costly damage or injuries from sharp corners and edges. Slow and steady really does win this race.
DIY doesn’t mean bare hands. A proper piano board for grands, heavy-duty dollies, straps, padding, and ramps are all must-haves. Skipping the gear is asking for disaster.
Yes, especially for grand pianos or moves involving stairs. Professionals come with the gear, insurance, and experience, ultimately reducing your risk.
It depends heavily on location, distance, and complexity. Simple upright moves might cost a few hundred NZD, whereas grands or tricky moves could run into the low thousands. Get quotes from local piano movers in your city.
After it’s settled for a few days. Some tuners wait a week or two; others sooner. Ask your tuner for advice.
Only if you are very confident, have the right equipment (stair-climbing dollies, braces), and a strong, coordinated team. Otherwise, hire professionals.
Pianos are beautiful, valuable, and finicky. Moving one improperly can ruin the instrument, your home, or your back. The safest bet is to hire skilled piano movers in New Zealand who know the terrain, houses, climate, and best practices.
If you decide to DIY, use this updated guide as your roadmap. Take your time. Measure everything twice. Gear up. Communicate. Don’t be a hero. When done carefully, your piano can arrive intact, ready to sing in its new space.
Wise Move is New Zealand’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services in just a few simple steps. Our focus has always been on making moving as simple and effortless as possible for our customers.
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