A piano is not just another piece of furniture: it is a musical instrument of very high sentimental and economic value, with a highly precise internal mechanism and a weight ranging from 150 kg for a small upright piano to 500-600 kg for a grand concert piano. Transporting it during a move requires experience, specific tools and detailed planning. This guide explains how it is done and what you should ask the company you hire.
Piano types and transport particularities
Upright piano (wall piano)
- Spinet: the smallest (110-115 cm tall, ~150 kg). Easy to move by two people.
- Console: 115-120 cm (~180-200 kg).
- Studio: 121-130 cm (~220-250 kg). The most common in homes and conservatories.
- Classic upright: 131-145 cm (~250-280 kg).
- Upright concert: 145+ cm (~280-350 kg). Almost extinct, found in rehearsal rooms.
Grand piano (horizontal)
- Crapaud grand (petite grand): 140-160 cm long (~270-340 kg). For small studios.
- Baby grand: 161-180 cm (~320-380 kg).
- Medium grand: 181-205 cm (~340-410 kg). The typical choice for piano "lovers'" homes.
- Concert grand: 206-275 cm (~400-560 kg). Found in auditoriums and concert halls.
Digital or electronic pianos: they move like a normal piece of furniture, with no special protocol, apart from standard protective packaging.
Professional equipment required
To move a piano (upright or grand) with guarantees, the team must have at least:
- Padded blankets specific to pianos (thicker than those used for normal furniture)
- Boards and ratchet straps rated for 500+ kg
- Hydraulic piano dolly (a standard furniture dolly will not do)
- Aluminium ramps for stairs and level changes
- Lifting platform or crane for upper floors without a lift, or with a lift that cannot take the weight
- A minimum of 4 certified movers (grand pianos need 5-6 people)
The step-by-step process of a piano transport
1. Prior technical survey
Before providing a quote, the technician visits both the origin and destination homes. They measure:
- Width and height of ALL doors, hallways and landings
- Lift capacity (weight, cabin dimensions)
- Whether an outdoor crane is needed for upper floors
- Whether the truck can park close to the entrance
Without this survey, surprises can appear on moving day (a door 2 cm narrower than the piano, a lift that cannot take the load, etc.) that double the cost and the time.
2. Preparing the piano
On moving day, the movers close and lock the keyboard lid, secure the pedal lyre, remove the legs and music stand if it is a grand, and wrap the whole structure with padded blankets + stretch film + bubble wrap on vulnerable edges. The packaging protects both the varnish and the mechanical components.
3. Leaving the home
The piano leaves by its own route, following the plan drawn up during the technical survey:
- Via stairs: with a hydraulic dolly and ramps, 4-5 movers. Controlled ascent or descent step by step.
- Via lift: upright or grand, disassembled and packed. Capacity must be verified beforehand.
- Via balcony with a crane: when there is no other option. Requires a municipal public-road occupation permit (OVP), which the company handles.
4. Transport by truck
The piano travels in the upright or lateral position depending on the type (grand pianos are transported on their side, on padded skids), always secured with ratchet straps to the truck walls. The truck bed must have air suspension to cushion vibrations and bumps.
5. Sea crossing (for the Canary Islands)
For removals to the Canary Islands, the piano is loaded into an exclusive or shared container. It is lashed to the floor with U-shaped anchors and surrounded with cushioning boxes to prevent movement during the crossing. Specialist shipping lines (Naviera Armas, Boluda) have specific protocols for fragile, high-value cargo.
6. Delivery at destination and re-tuning
On arrival at the new home, the piano is assembled following the reverse route. After transport, acoustic pianos always need professional re-tuning (between 2 and 4 weeks later, once the instrument has adapted to the temperature and humidity of the new setting). We coordinate with a trusted professional tuner in the Canary Islands if you need one.
Transporting pianos to the Canary Islands: particularities
Moving a piano from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands adds two critical factors:
Climate control at destination
The Canary Islands climate has an average relative humidity of 60-75% on the coast, more stable than in many mainland areas. However, the piano must not be placed near windows with direct sunlight, air conditioning or heating. We recommend an indoor piano dehumidifier for the first few months to stabilise it.
Cost of the sea removal
Indicative price for moving a piano from mainland Spain to Tenerife or Las Palmas:
- Studio upright piano: €1,200-1,800 (shared container)
- Crapaud/baby grand piano: €1,800-2,800
- Medium grand piano: €2,500-3,800
- Concert grand piano: €3,500-6,000 (requires an exclusive container)
The price includes: technical survey, packaging, loading, land + sea transport, liability insurance and final delivery. It does not include re-tuning (an additional €80-150).
Piano-specific insurance
Standard removal liability insurance covers up to €12 per kilo of goods, which is insufficient for a 300 kg piano (it would cover €3,600, when many pianos are worth 10-30 times more). That is why we offer an optional declared-value insurance, where you declare the instrument's real value (with an official appraisal if it exceeds €15,000) and it is fully covered. The extra cost is 1-2% of the declared value.
Common mistakes that ruin a piano
- Moving the piano without removing the legs on grand pianos: the weight falls on the legs during movement and they break
- Carrying the piano up stairs without a hydraulic dolly: the unbalanced strain warps the internal frame
- Using thin blankets meant for normal furniture: the varnish gets scratched by any contact
- Placing it in the new home near heat sources: rapid drying puts it out of tune and cracks the soundboard
- Playing the piano immediately after the move: you must allow at least 1-2 weeks of acclimatisation before playing it seriously, and 2-4 weeks before re-tuning it
How to choose the right removal company
Before hiring, ask:
- Have they carried out a prior technical survey?
- How many movers do they send, and what is their experience with pianos specifically?
- Do they have a hydraulic piano dolly (not a standard furniture dolly)?
- What insurance do they offer, and up to what value does it cover?
- Do they coordinate with a professional tuner at destination?
- Do they have references for piano transports carried out?
Certified trust
At Horizont Atlantic we have transported hundreds of pianos over our 15 years — from uprights for Canary Island conservatories to Steinway, Yamaha and Bösendorfer grand pianos for professional musicians. Teams specifically trained in piano handling, suitable tools and declared-value insurance. Ask us for a quote stating the make, model and dimensions of the piano, plus origin and destination address, and we will send you a free technical survey and a fixed quote.
Frequently asked questions about piano transport
How much does it cost to transport a piano?
Local upright piano: €200-450 depending on floor and access difficulty. Grand piano: €350-800. Upright piano between Canary Islands: €500-900. Grand piano between islands: €700-1,500. From mainland Spain to the Canary Islands: €700-1,500 for an upright, €1,200-2,500 for a grand piano. The cost varies greatly depending on weight, model and accessibility at origin and destination.
When is an outdoor crane essential for the piano?
When: above the 2nd floor without a lift or with a lift that is too small, a spiral staircase, a building without adequate access due to dimensions, or a grand piano that does not fit through a standard staircase. The outdoor crane adds €200-500 to the transport, in addition to the municipal OVP permit to occupy the loading area.
Does the piano need to be tuned after transport?
Yes, almost always. Any transport causes it to go out of tune. Recommended: wait 2-4 weeks after the move for the piano to acclimatise to the new humidity and temperature, then hire a professional tuner. Tuning it immediately after transport forces multiple re-tunings shortly afterwards.
Do I need specific insurance for the piano?
The removal's base liability insurance covers accidental breakage up to a certain limit. For valuable pianos (>€5,000), Steinway, Bösendorfer, Bechstein or antique pianos: take out additional declared-value insurance with a prior appraisal. Keep the original invoice or a recent appraisal as proof of value.
Is it safe to transport an old or very antique piano?
Yes, with the right protocol. For antique pianos (>50 years old) or of great sentimental/economic value: a prior technical survey to assess condition, specific packaging with professional blankets, shake-free transport with experienced staff, slow and precise unloading. More detail: piano transport in Tenerife.
