PIANO MOVING MONTRÉAL
Piano Moving Montréal — Handled With the Precision Your Instrument Deserves
Upright pianos, baby grands, and full concert grands moved safely across every Montréal neighbourhood — from Plateau-Mont-Royal spiral staircases and Mile End walk-ups to West Island driveways and Griffintown condo elevators. CNS Logistics is a NIR-licensed, fully insured piano moving specialist with over 850 piano moves completed since 2018 and a 4.6-star Google rating from 260+ verified reviews.
WHY PIANO MOVING IS DIFFERENT
Piano Moving in Montréal Requires More Than Muscle
A standard upright piano weighs between 180 and 270 kg — roughly the weight of three adult refrigerators stacked together. A baby grand ranges from 270 to 400 kg, while a full concert grand can exceed 500 kg. These are not items that can be wrestled down a hallway by two general labourers with a dolly. Piano moving is a specialized discipline that requires trained technicians, purpose-built equipment, and a detailed understanding of the instrument's internal mechanics.
Montréal's housing stock makes piano moving especially challenging. Over 60% of Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End homes feature exterior spiral staircases with clearance widths as narrow as 80 cm — too tight for a standard piano board. Downtown high-rises impose freight elevator weight limits, time-window restrictions, and mandatory floor protection protocols. West Island properties present long driveways, split-level entries, and basement staircases that require careful route planning.
CNS Logistics has completed over 850 piano moves across Greater Montreal since 2018, including 200+ spiral staircase extractions in the Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End neighbourhoods alone. Every piano move begins with a mandatory on-site or virtual access assessment — because the safest move is the one that's planned before a single strap is attached.
PIANO TYPES WE MOVE
Every Piano Type, Every Access Challenge
Upright Piano
The most common piano in Montréal homes. Uprights are tall, narrow, and deceptively heavy. We use a padded piano board, reinforced straps, and a two-to-three-person crew to navigate staircases, doorways, and tight hallways safely.
Baby Grand Piano
Baby grands require partial disassembly — legs, pedal lyre, and lid are removed on-site before the body is wrapped in quilted blankets and loaded onto a reinforced skid board. Every baby grand move includes a post-delivery reassembly and levelling check.
Grand & Concert Grand
Full-size grand pianos — including 7-foot parlour grands and 9-foot concert grands — are among the most complex items we move. These instruments may require custom crating, rigging through windows, or even crane service for high-rise or heritage-building access.
NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD
Piano Moving Across Every Montréal Neighbourhood
Every neighbourhood presents unique access challenges. Our 16 neighbourhood access profiles help us plan the safest route for your piano.
Plateau-Mont-Royal
High ComplexityExterior spiral staircases (80 cm wide), 2nd/3rd floor walk-ups, narrow interior hallways. Window extraction frequently required for grands.
Mile End
High ComplexitySimilar spiral staircase challenges as the Plateau, plus narrow laneways, limited truck parking, and heritage building restrictions.
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
Medium-HighMix of duplexes and triplexes with exterior stairs. Wider streets than Plateau but similar staircase widths. Street parking permits often needed.
Outremont
MediumLarger single-family homes with interior staircases. Some heritage properties with narrow doorframes. Driveway access usually available.
Westmount
MediumGrand Victorian and Edwardian homes with wide interior staircases but heavy front doors and steep front steps. Some multi-level splits.
NDG
LowerPost-war duplexes and semi-detached homes. Generally wider doorways and interior stairs. Basement moves common for upright pianos.
Griffintown & Downtown
Medium-HighHigh-rise condos with freight elevator requirements, loading dock reservations, and time-window restrictions. Floor protection mandatory.
Côte-des-Neiges
MediumUniversity-area apartments with small elevators and narrow hallways. Walk-up buildings with interior stairs. Street parking limited.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Lower-MediumBungalows and split-level homes with driveway access. Some older duplexes with exterior stairs. Generally straightforward access.
LaSalle & Verdun
Lower-MediumMix of post-war duplexes and newer condos. Canal-side developments have loading restrictions. Generally good truck access.
Beaconsfield & Pointe-Claire
LowerSuburban homes with wide driveways, attached garages, and ground-floor entries. Long driveways may require extended carry distances.
DDO, Kirkland & Pierrefonds
Lower-MediumLarge suburban lots with good truck access. Split-level entries and basement stairs are the main challenges. Snow clearance in winter.
Laval
Lower-MediumSuburban single-family homes and newer condos. Highway access from our Saint-Laurent warehouse is under 20 minutes. Generally straightforward.
Brossard & Longueuil
Lower-MediumSouth Shore suburbs with good road access via the Champlain Bridge. Mix of bungalows, splits, and condo towers. Bridge traffic scheduling required.
Saint-Laurent & Côte-Saint-Luc
MediumOur home base. Mix of post-war bungalows, walk-up apartments, and newer condo developments. We know every street and building.
Old Montréal & Île-des-Sœurs
MediumHeritage buildings with narrow doorways, cobblestone streets, and loading restrictions. Île-des-Sœurs condos require freight elevator booking.
SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
Purpose-Built Equipment for Every Piano Move
Piano Board & Skid
Reinforced flat board with non-slip surface for securing and sliding pianos across floors and down staircases safely.
Piano Straps
Heavy-duty ratchet straps rated for 500+ kg, purpose-designed for piano board attachment points. Not standard furniture straps.
Moving Blankets
Quilted, padded blankets cut specifically for upright and grand piano dimensions. Full wrap coverage including legs and lid.
Disassembly Kit
Professional toolkit for removing grand piano legs, pedal lyre, music stand, and lid without scratching or stressing the finish.
Corner & Floor Protection
Custom-cut foam corner guards, Masonite floor runners, and banister wraps to protect both your piano and your home.
Rigging & Crane Assessment
For window extractions and high-rise moves. We coordinate with certified crane operators when the piano can't go through the door.
Air-Ride Suspension Truck
Our piano trucks use air-ride suspension to minimize vibration during transport. Climate-controlled in winter to prevent humidity damage.
Site Assessment Protocol
Every piano move starts with a documented access assessment — staircase widths, doorframe measurements, elevator capacity, and route planning.
2026 RATES
Piano Moving Costs in Montréal — 2026
All estimates include equipment, padding, transport, placement, and post-move reassembly where applicable. Final pricing confirmed after site assessment.
| Scenario | Estimated Cost | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Upright — Ground Floor | $250–$400 | Standard doorways, short carry, no stairs |
| Upright — Spiral Staircase | $400–$650 | 80 cm clearance, 2nd/3rd floor, Plateau/Mile End typical |
| Baby Grand — Ground Floor | $450–$700 | Disassembly, wide doorways, driveway access |
| Baby Grand — Walk-up / Spiral | $650–$1,000 | Disassembly + staircase navigation, window extraction possible |
| Grand — Standard Access | $800–$1,500 | Full disassembly, freight elevator or ground-floor access |
| Grand — High-Rise / Extraction | $1,500–$2,800+ | Window extraction, crane service, rigging, crating |
Prices are estimates for Greater Montreal moves. Final pricing is confirmed after a mandatory on-site or virtual access assessment. Read our full pricing guide →
OUR PROCESS
Four Steps to a Safe Piano Move
Access Assessment
We visit your home (or conduct a video assessment) to measure staircase widths, doorframe clearances, elevator capacity, and plan the exact route your piano will travel.
Written Quote
Based on the assessment, you receive a detailed written estimate — no surprises, no hidden fees. Price includes all equipment, padding, transport, and placement.
Protected Transport
On moving day, our specialized crew wraps, secures, and transports your piano using purpose-built equipment and an air-ride suspension truck to minimize vibration.
Placement & Setup
We place your piano in its new location, reassemble legs and pedal lyre (for grands), level the instrument, and remove all packing materials.
CLIENT REVIEWS
What Our Piano Moving Clients Say
“They moved my 1920s Heintzman baby grand down a Plateau spiral staircase without a single scratch. I watched the whole thing and was genuinely impressed by how calm and methodical the crew was. Worth every penny.”
Isabelle G.
Plateau-Mont-Royal
“Moving a grand piano into a 15th-floor condo is not something I thought could be done smoothly. CNS coordinated with the building, booked the freight elevator, protected every surface, and had the piano in place in under two hours.”
Michael T.
Griffintown
“We were terrified about moving our Yamaha C3 across a long Beaconsfield driveway in November. The CNS team showed up early, laid down floor protection from the truck to the music room, and treated the piano like it was their own.”
Rachel S.
Beaconsfield
SERVICE COVERAGE
Piano Moving Service Area
Island of Montreal
Plateau-Mont-Royal, Mile End, Rosemont, Outremont, Westmount, NDG, Griffintown, Downtown, Côte-des-Neiges, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, LaSalle, Verdun, Saint-Laurent, Côte-Saint-Luc, Old Montréal, Île-des-Sœurs
West Island
Beaconsfield, Pointe-Claire, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Kirkland, Pierrefonds, Dorval, Île-Bizard, Baie-D'Urfé
Off-Island
Laval, Brossard, Longueuil, Saint-Bruno, Sainte-Julie, Châteauguay, Terrebonne, Repentigny
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Piano Moving FAQ
How much does piano moving cost in Montreal?+
Can you move a grand piano through a Plateau-Mont-Royal spiral staircase?+
Do you move pianos year-round, including Montreal winter?+
Do you handle player pianos, digital pianos, and organs?+
Do I need to hire a separate tuner after the move?+
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Piano Moving Guides & Resources
START YOUR PIANO MOVE
Get a Free Piano Moving Estimate — Any Neighbourhood
Tell us your piano type, current address, and destination. We'll provide a written estimate within 24 hours — often the same day. Every estimate includes a mandatory access assessment at no extra charge.
Plateau · Mile End · Rosemont · Outremont · Westmount · NDG · Griffintown · Downtown · CDN · Ahuntsic · LaSalle · Verdun · Beaconsfield · Pointe-Claire · DDO · Kirkland · Laval · Brossard · Longueuil