Our Reputation Speaks for Itself
An upright piano weighs as much as a small car, and its weight is balanced nothing like one. Moving it takes more than four strong movers and a standard dolly. New Chapters Moving Company uses equipment built specifically for how a piano actually carries its weight.
Moving a piano comes down to a handful of decisions that matter more than raw strength: the exact angle to tip an upright through a doorway without cracking the case, how the legs and lid get separated on a grand piano before the body ever moves, and where the straps sit so the weight never shifts mid-carry. Most people move a piano once or twice in a lifetime. We do it every week, so those calls are already made before the piano leaves the wall.
How Your Piano Move Runs
We check your piano’s size, weight, and current location against your doorways, stairs, and hallway turns before move day, so the crew already knows the tightest points along the route. Our team moves the instrument using piano-specific dollies and straps rather than general furniture equipment, taking wider turns slowly instead of forcing them. Once it reaches your new home, we position and level the piano rather than leaving that step for you or a technician to sort out separately.
What Every Piano Move Includes
Specialized piano dollies and straps handle the instrument’s uneven weight distribution, which is the single biggest difference between a piano move and a furniture move. We assess stairs, doorways, and turns before move day, and careful handling covers upright pianos, grand pianos, and digital keyboards alike, adjusted for each type’s specific weight and balance.
Why You Should Never Move a Piano Yourself
We get it. You’re smart. You’re strong. You’re trying to save money. “How hard can it be?” you think.
We’ve seen the results of this question, and they are not pretty. As professional piano movers, we are often called to fix a situation that went wrong.
Let’s be real for a second. This is one of those “Do Not Try This at Home” situations. Here’s why.
What Goes Wrong in a DIY Piano Move
- It is unbalanced: an upright’s cast-iron harp, strings, and hammers sit high and at the back, so the moment it tilts, the center of gravity shifts.
- Injuries are real: 400 to 1,200 pounds of shifting weight leads to crushed hands, herniated discs, and back injuries.
- The piano gets damaged: a single jolt can knock hammers out of alignment, snap strings, or crack the soundboard, and grand piano legs can snap.
- Your home gets damaged: caster wheels crack tile and scratch hardwood, and a swinging piano dents walls and door frames.
Why Choose Our Piano Movers?
So, what makes us different? We don’t treat your piano like furniture. We treat it like the valuable, complex instrument it is. This requires a special set of skills and, just as importantly, special equipment.
We Have a Trained, Experienced Team
You don’t want a mover who is moving a piano for the first time. Our piano moving team is trained. They know the difference between a spinet, a console, and a full upright. They know how to disassemble a grand piano. They are not just strong; they are problem-solvers who know how to assess a move and execute it safely.
We Have Specialized Piano Moving Equipment
This is what truly sets professional piano movers apart. We show up with more than just a truck.
- Piano Dollies: These are not standard utility dollies. They are heavy-duty, four-wheel dollies with rubber-topped surfaces to prevent slipping and protect the piano’s finish.
- Piano Boards (Skids): This is the most important tool. It’s a long, strong board that your piano is strapped to. This board, not the piano, takes the friction of going up or down stairs.
- Heavy-Duty Straps: We use professional-grade straps and tensioners to secure the piano to the board and to the wall of our truck.
- Ramps and Lift Gates: Our trucks are equipped with heavy-duty ramps or hydraulic lift gates. This means we never have to “bounce” your piano up into the truck.
- Pads and Blankets: We use an massive number of thick, quilted moving blankets and padding to wrap the entire piano, protecting it from scratches and dings.
Get a Free Estimate
Call Us (904) 643-2973
Areas We Serve
We’re proud to provide professional moving services throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding communities.
We Move All Types of Pianos
Not all pianos are the same. We have the expertise to handle all of them.
Upright Piano Movers
This is the most common type of move. This includes spinets, consoles, studio, and full upright pianos. The main challenge is their top-heavy weight and getting them through doorways. Our team uses a piano board and dolly to keep it stable and secure at all times.
Baby Grand and Grand Piano Movers
This is a complex process that should only be done by a professional. A grand piano is never, ever moved in one piece.
Here is our (simplified) process:
- We carefully remove the pedal lyre from the bottom.
- We remove the piano’s leg from the straight “key-side.”
- We gently and slowly tip the piano onto its side, which is protected by a piano board.
- We remove the other two legs.
- We wrap the entire body of the piano (and all its parts) in multiple layers of padding.
- We securely strap the body to the piano board.
- The piano is then moved on a dolly and loaded onto the truck.
Trying to move a grand piano without this process will snap the legs and destroy the instrument.
Organ and Digital Piano Movers
While often lighter than acoustic pianos, heavy organs and high-end digital pianos are still delicate and expensive. We treat them with the same care, ensuring all electronics, pedals, and benches are protected.
Customer reviews
Wow! They were fast, thorough, cautious, and efficient. Brandon, David, and Adam were very professional and very nice. The 3 of them made sure everything everything was just the way I wanted it! They made one of the most stressful days of my life so much easier!
Brandon, David, and Adam were super efficient and helpful and alleviated much of the stress that comes with moving!
My movers Laquinn Herring and Adam Olson were amazing! They were fast and very kind. Great customer service and handled my items with care. Would definitely recommend and book again!
It has been the most incredible day! I am so impressed with this company and their incredible workers and customer service. Thank you to Bridget, David, Brandon and and Adam and Gio for a great experience.
Brandon, David, and Adam helped move my grandmother and I this past Saturday. They did an awesome job and we really appreciate it! Thanks again guys!
New Chapter moving is a fantastic new company if you are looking for fair rates and high ethical standards this is the go to movers. You and your valuables will be treated with respect If I need to move again these are the movers I trust I give a well deserved 5 stars
I used NEW CHAPTERS to Move from Nocatee to Jacksonville and I could Not be happier. I highly Recommend them for all Your moves.
Brandon, David, and Joseph were absolutely fantastic! They arrived on time, were incredibly professional, and handled everything with great care and efficiency. The whole process was smooth and stress-free from start to finish. They went above and beyond to make sure everything was exactly where I wanted it and treated my belongings with respect. They even put my Christmas decorations away in the garage up on super high shelves without asking and set my lamps on my nightstand. Simple but thoughtful touches! I couldn’t have asked for a better team — prompt, courteous, and wonderful to work with. I’ve moved dozens of times, but would only pick these guys again - highly recommend this moving company!
Extremely hardworking crew. Very responsive and careful. Highest rating possible.
The crew went above and beyond to make sure my move was completed. I had to move much more than originally identified and one of the crew had to leave due to an injury, but the team kept working for 13 hours straight and somehow managed to fit everything into my new, smaller house. I was very impressed with their professionalism, can-do attitude, and customer focus.
Excellent job done by Giorgi and David, stairs in both locations. With no breaks they did a job that would need 3 men at the least. Definitely recommend 👍
Excellent Company! They showed up ready to work and moved quickly and efficiently. They took great care of our stuff! These guys went above and beyond!
The New Chapters Piano Moving Process
We don't just "wing it." We follow a strict process for every piano we move.
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01
The Assessment
We first look at the piano to determine its type and size. Then, we walk the entire path. We measure doorways. We count stairs. We check for tight turns. We note if we have to cross grass, gravel, or tile.02The Preparation
We protect your home first. We put down floor runners, neoprene mats, and protect door jambs. Then, we prep the piano. We secure the lid and keyboard cover and wrap the entire instrument in pads.03The Secure Move
We use the right technique for the piano. For an upright, we tilt it onto the piano dolly. For a grand, we disassemble it. We strap it to the piano board. We move it slowly and safely. When we get to stairs, we use the straps and board to "slide" it with full control, or we use a ramp.04The Transportation
The piano is the last thing on the truck and the first thing off. We secure it to the "rub rails" on the wall of the truck, strapping it in so it cannot shift, tilt, or slide during transport.05The Placement
Once at your new home, we repeat the process in reverse. We protect your new floors, move the piano in, and place it exactly where you want it. For grand pianos, we reassemble it perfectly.Get A Free Estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire piano movers?
This is the most common question. The cost depends on several factors:
- Type of piano: A grand piano is more complex and costs more than an upright.
- The path: Are there stairs? A tight 90-degree turn? Do we have to cross 50 feet of grass?
- Distance: Is it moving across town or just to another room in your house? The cost of hiring professional piano movers is a small fraction of the cost to repair or replace a damaged piano.
Are you licensed and insured for moving pianos?
Yes. This is critical. We are a fully licensed moving company (FL License #: IM3643, US DOT #: 3881904). Our insurance policies are in place to cover high-value items like your piano. A cheap, unlicensed mover has no such protection.
Do you move just pianos, or can you move my whole house?
We do both! We can be hired as a specialty piano moving service, or we can include the piano as part of your full household move. When you get a quote from us, just be sure to mention the piano so we can bring the right team and equipment.
Will my piano need to be tuned after the move?
Yes. You should expect this. Even the most careful, professional move will cause slight shifts in the strings and soundboard due to changes in temperature, humidity, and the simple motion of the move. We recommend letting the piano "settle" in your new home for 2-4 weeks before calling a professional tuner.
Can you move a grand piano up or down stairs?
Yes. We assess the stairs and doorways ahead of time and bring equipment built specifically for a grand piano's weight and balance.
Do you move digital pianos and keyboards too?
Yes. We handle digital pianos and keyboards as well as acoustic upright and grand pianos, adjusting our approach to the instrument's weight and fragility.
Your Piano is Too Important to Risk
Your piano is a masterpiece of art and engineering. It carries memories, music, and a significant financial value.
Call Us (904) 643-2973
It deserves more than a risky, amateur move.
Let the professional piano movers at New Chapters Moving give your instrument the respect and care it needs. We have the tools, the team, and the experience to make sure your piano arrives at its new home in the same condition it left.
Don't have a "moving day horror story." Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote to move your piano safely.
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