Business Details
44 Years
experience
Professional Piano Moving Services Northern California
Howard's Piano Moving has been serving Northern California since 1982 as a family-owned and operated business. With over 38 years of experience, we specialize in piano moving, combining technical expertise with a commitment to protecting your valuable instrument and property. Our owner, Rick Howard, personally oversees every move, utilizing specialized equipment and techniques honed through decades of handling complex relocations. Licensed by the California Public Utilities Commission and fully insured with $1,000,000 liability coverage, we prioritize safety, precision, and customer satisfaction. Our services extend across the Western US, including local moves within the Bay Area and long-distance transportation to Arizona, Nevada, and beyond.We offer climate-controlled storage solutions and provide transparent pricing based on accessibility, piano size, and logistical challenges. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, our team explains every step of the moving process to ensure client comfort. Recognized by Monterey County's sole piano dealership and consistently rated 4.7 stars from 35+ reviews, we combine physical expertise with a calm, professional demeanor. Our commitment to excellence includes free consultations for challenging moves and customized protection measures for pianos of all sizes.
Services
Piano Moving
Local Relocation
Long Distance Transport
Piano Storage
Grand Piano Handling
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- 38+ years of dedicated piano moving experience since 1982
- Owner-operated service with personal oversight of every move
- Licensed by California PUC with $1,000,000 liability insurance
- Specialized equipment for grand and upright piano protection
- Climate-controlled storage facility for piano preservation
What people say
Prompt and professional service
Expert handling of delicate instruments
Affordable single-mover efficiency
Transparent communication
Decades of proven experience
Services
Piano Moving
Specialized piano transportation services for all types including grand, upright, and spinet pianos. Our expert movers use customized dollies, protective padding, and hardwood carry boards to ensure safe relocation. With over 38 years of experience handling instruments weighing up to 1,300 lbs, we provide secure transportation for local moves within the Bay Area and long-distance relocations across the Western US.
Piano Storage
Climate-controlled storage solutions for temporary or long-term piano preservation. Each instrument receives cotton-lined blanket wrapping to protect finishes and prevent damage from environmental factors. Our facility maintains stable temperature and humidity levels to protect pianos' delicate internal mechanisms while offering secure, accessible storage options for Northern California residents needing interim piano protection.
Grand Piano Handling
Expert relocation of grand pianos ranging from 54-inch baby grands to 9'2" concert grands. Our process includes partial disassembly, vertical transport on specialized boards, and secure loading/unloading using equipment designed for heavy, awkward loads. With experience handling 1,300 lb instruments, we implement meticulous planning for navigating stairs, tight corners, and multi-story buildings while maintaining complete instrument protection throughout the moving process.
Local Piano Relocation
In-home piano repositioning and local transportation services within Northern California. We handle moves between residences, temporary relocations during construction, and event-related piano transportation. Our services include navigating challenging environments like sloped driveways, narrow hallways, and multi-story buildings while maintaining both instrument safety and property protection through specialized padding and maneuvering techniques.
Long Distance Transport
Cross-state piano transportation services extending from Maine to Florida and throughout the Western US. Our long-distance capabilities include secure vehicle loading, route planning for oversized loads, and climate-controlled transport conditions. We handle all logistical challenges associated with interstate piano relocation while maintaining the same safety standards applied to local moves, with specialized attention to vibration protection during extended transit periods.
People
Rick Howard
Owner & Lead Piano Mover
With 38+ years of experience, Rick Howard personally handles all piano moves using specialized equipment and techniques. His physical strength, technical expertise, and calm demeanor have earned him recognition as 'The Piano Mover' in Northern California. Rick provides direct client consultation for complex relocations.
Questions
What areas do you service for piano moving?
We serve all of Northern California including Santa Cruz and San Jose, with long-distance capabilities extending to Arizona, Nevada, and cross-country locations.
How are piano moving prices determined?
Base pricing starts at $100 for simple relocations, with additional charges based on piano size, distance traveled, and logistical challenges like stairs or tight corners.
Can you move large concert grand pianos?
Yes, we specialize in moving concert grands up to 9'2" with specialized equipment and techniques to handle their 1,300 lb weight and delicate construction.
Do you offer piano storage solutions?
We provide climate-controlled storage with cotton-lined blanket wrapping to protect pianos from environmental damage during temporary or long-term storage needs.
Are your movers insured?
We maintain $1,000,000 liability and cargo insurance coverage at no additional charge, exceeding California PUC requirements by 66 times.
Can one person safely move a piano?
Rick Howard's unique combination of strength, experience, and specialized equipment allows him to handle many moves independently while maintaining complete safety standards.
