We are piano movers, not tuners, but we spend a lot of time around both, and we hear the same questions after almost every move. How often does a piano need tuning? What should it cost? Is a move going to knock it out? Here is what we tell people.
How often should a piano be tuned?
For most home pianos, once a year is the usual recommendation. A piano that is played a lot, used for teaching or exams, or kept in a room where the temperature swings often benefits from tuning every six months. New pianos can need extra tunings in their first year while the strings stretch and settle.
Melbourne’s changeable weather is part of the story. Hot dry spells and cool damp winters make the soundboard swell and shrink through the year, and the tuning moves with it. Many tuners suggest booking around the change of seasons.
What does piano tuning cost in Melbourne?
Prices vary between tuners, but as a rough guide in 2026 a standard tuning in Melbourne usually costs somewhere between $200 and $350. Experienced concert tuners and complex jobs can cost more.
If a piano has not been tuned for a long time and has dropped well below standard pitch, the tuner may need to do a pitch raise first. That usually adds around $50 to $100. Older pianos and grands can take longer and may cost more.
Always confirm the price with your tuner before booking. These figures are a guide only, based on prices published by Melbourne tuners.
Does moving a piano put it out of tune?
A careful move should not damage a piano, but almost every piano needs tuning once it has settled into a new room. It is the change of environment, not the trip itself, that does most of it. We explain the detail in should you tune a piano after moving it?, and the short version is to wait two to three weeks before booking a tuner.
Signs your piano needs a tuner now
- Chords that used to sound clean now sound sour or wavy
- The same note sounds different from one octave to the next
- Single notes have a wobbling, beating sound
- Keys stick, buzz or feel different, which is a job for a technician as well as a tuner
- It has been more than a year since the last tuning
Finding a tuner
We work with tuners and restorers around Melbourne and are always happy to suggest one after a move. Just ask when you book your move. If you have a player piano, our guide to pianolas covers the extra care they need.
Questions
Piano tuning: FAQs
How often should a piano be tuned?
Usually once a year for a home piano, or every six months if it is played a lot or used for teaching.
How much does piano tuning cost in Melbourne?
Typically $200 to $350 for a standard tuning, with a pitch raise adding around $50 to $100. Prices vary, so check with your tuner.
Should I tune my piano before or after moving?
After. Wait two to three weeks for it to settle into the new room, then book the tuner.
Ready when you are