Rick Howard started moving pianos in his hometown of Watsonville California in 1978 while still in high school and started Howard's Piano Moving in 1981. His story was the subject of an article in the Santa Cruz Weekly entitled "The Piano Mover". In that article it was described how Rick becomes "utterly immersed in thought" during a move, or when he's previewing a location to plan a move.
He's often been asked what goes through his mind at that time, and knowing that explains what makes Rick different from other piano movers. As the article says, a lot can go wrong with moving pianos, and there is a lot at stake. Its not just the instrument itself which is a sizeable personal investment and can be easily damaged by even a small bump or drop.
He's often been asked what goes through his mind at that time, and knowing that explains what makes Rick different from other piano movers. As the article says, a lot can go wrong with moving pianos, and there is a lot at stake. Its not just the instrument itself which is a sizeable personal investment and can be easily damaged by even a small bump or drop.
Services
We're a family-owned and operated piano moving business with over 37 years experience. We take great pride in our ability to provide a personal and professional experience for you, Rick, known as "The Piano Mover" takes great care to ensure that your piano is handled with the utmost care. As the saying goes, no job is too big or too small.
We can professionally move the piano to a new location in your home or business. We can also temporarily relocate the piano in the event of a construction job, or possibly for a party. We service the complete bay area. From Maine to Florida and all points in between. We can even assist in a longer distance, such as Southern California, Arizona, even cross country.
I own the sole piano dealership in Monterey County and Rick Howard is the professional I trust to move my pianos and those of my clients. He is the best! Rick was 100% wonderful, moved a piano from my friend's house in Happy Valley near Santa Cruz to my place in San Jose. He was prompt, excellent. WOW - What an awesome job Rick Maurice Howard and Lonnie did this week, moving my granddaughter's Spinet piano across the bay to her home!
Reviews (12)
Mira A.
Feb 06, 2021
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Rick was 100% wonderful, moved a piano from my friend's house in Happy Valley near Santa Cruz to my place in San Jose. He was prompt, excellent communication, and phenomenal attention to detail on both ends. He noticed that the music stand had been previously attached backwards and took it apart and reattached it to the piano facing the right way so I could use it properly. Friendly, kind, and highly skillful, smooth, gentle job. very grateful, and we'll definitely use him again. Thank you!
Mary M.
Nov 20, 2020
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WOW - What an awesome job Rick Maurice Howard and Lonnie did this week, moving my granddaughter's Spinet piano across the bay to her home! Timely, friendly, competent.. Rick had several dollies, blankets, straps.. clearly experienced in moving pianos!! And very communicative.. he called back within 2-days to schedule the job, called when he was 15-min out from arriving to load it and then called again on his way to deliver. And very fairly priced.. $350!
I can't thank you enough, Rick.. We are so appreciative of you and your outstanding piano moving service! And thank you to the other
I can't thank you enough, Rick.. We are so appreciative of you and your outstanding piano moving service! And thank you to the other
Chris F.
Jul 18, 2020
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Barry W.
May 13, 2019
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Totally Professional Service! Moved my Priceless (and very delicate) 1890's Bosendorfer Large Baby Grand over 150 miles from a City Church to my Home here in Santa Cruz. Everything about the way Rick Howard did the moving was perfect, from the time of arrival to the meticulous wrapping, padding and strapping in the truck, to the delivery and set-up. The Piano was so carefully handled, that it stayed in tune. He has the right equipment and has a flawless procedure. Great Guy, very knowledgeable and stuck to his estimated original price. 100% Awesome!!!
Margaret E.
Jun 22, 2018
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W. L.
Jun 15, 2018
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Rain K.
Mar 01, 2018
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I used Howard's again to move my piano out of my house. It was a beast to get into the house and I was POSITIVE that there'd be no way to get it out. As previously stated, my house has 13 STEEP stairs.
They showed up on time. There were only 2 men so I was afraid to watch. But after 20 minutes of staging and placing the piano on crazy piano moving specific tools and dollies, they walked it out my door and created and kind of slow controlled slide down the steps like it was nothing. 20 minute setup, 5 minute extraction. Easy! Pure pros!!! A great resource to the piano laden community
They showed up on time. There were only 2 men so I was afraid to watch. But after 20 minutes of staging and placing the piano on crazy piano moving specific tools and dollies, they walked it out my door and created and kind of slow controlled slide down the steps like it was nothing. 20 minute setup, 5 minute extraction. Easy! Pure pros!!! A great resource to the piano laden community
Drue M.
Oct 24, 2017
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Lisa N.
Jun 20, 2017
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Five years ago I hired Rick to move my piano into my new house and today I hired him again to move it out. The man is like a combination of a wizard, bodybuilder, and physicist. He singlehandedly moved my upright piano out of a room that required a very tight turn, and he did it without damaging the piano or my walls, and in about 15 minutes. He even took the time to tighten a screw that had previously come lose on the music stand. I will continue to hire him if I move again in the future and highly recommend him.
John C.
Nov 22, 2016
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Chris B.
Sep 27, 2016
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Great, great great, guys helped out last minute, moved us 20 miles and had to drive back too. Only 2 guys but had the piano wrapped and tied down like it was a china teapot and same the other end, even gave me some coasters for future positioning. Very skilled and know their stuff. Well worth a good tip as such a hard job but obviously piano jedi's!
R. S.
Oct 14, 2015
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I am debating between 1 -2 stars. The upright Kawai piano was moved from Oakland to Sacramento. $200 flat fee for moving piano, $400 for transportation, and $5/step, with ~30 steps, comes to $150. that's $750 (although he never stated this number, he stated $650 and "a little more for the stairs"... there may have been miscommunication and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, lets call the quote $750...). I called Howard's piano moving because it is a licensed company with insurance, and in the website the mover seemed thoughtful.
However, I was quoted ~$650 on a Friday
However, I was quoted ~$650 on a Friday
