Piano Rental FAQ: Pricing, Delivery & How It Works
Here are answers to some of the questions customers ask us. If you don't see the information you need, please contact us!
Getting Started
How does piano rental work?
Pick a piano from our inventory, schedule delivery, and start playing. You commit to a monthly rental payment and that payment never increases. The longer you commit to, the more you save. When you're done, just send us an email, and we pick it up. You can keep renting for as long as you want and you never have to buy - your monthly rental payment will never increase. If you decide to buy, 100% of your first year's rental payments apply toward purchase of the piano you’re renting or any other we have of equal or greater value.
Your first payment includes delivery, pickup, your first month's rental, a discounted initial tuning ($98), and applicable tax. After that, your monthly rental is charged automatically to your card or bank account on file.
What's included in my monthly rental?
Your monthly rental covers the piano itself. Tuning is required every six months at $175 per service (discounted from the $250+ market rate in NYC). There are no security deposits and no hidden fees.Delivery and pickup are separate one-time charges, depending on what you choose and where it’s going. Once you rent, your monthly rate is locked in and will never increase no matter how long you rent.
Oh, and yes--it includes the bench.
How long can I rent?
As long as you want. Some customers rent for a few months while their child tries lessons. Others rent for years. Your monthly price will never increase, and we'll never pressure you to buy or return the piano.
Do I need to sign a long-term contract?
We offer flexible rental terms: 1, 3, 6, 9, or 12 months. The longer your initial contract, the lower your monthly rate. Most customers choose 6, 9, or 12 months. After your initial contract ends, you automatically roll over to a month-to-month plan at the same rate—your monthly price never increases. It works like your cell phone or cable plan: start with a contract, then stay month-to-month for as long as you want.
Pricing & Costs
How much does it cost to rent a piano?
Monthly piano rentals start at $48. See our full selection of pianos available for rent here.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. We're upfront about all costs. Here's what you pay:
Upfront (first payment):
- Delivery (varies by location)
- Pickup (paid at the start, not when you return)
- First month's rental
- Initial in-home tuning ($98)
- Tax (if you live in New York or California)
Monthly:
- Your rental payment (never increases no matter how long you rent)
- Optional: Tuning Plan at $25/month (covers your required 6-month tunings and saves you $25 per tuning)
- Optional: Damage waiver at $12.50/month with $1,000 deductible which covers total loss of the instrument in case something happens while its in your possession
Every 6 months:
- For your playing enjoyment and to get the most out of your piano, we request you tune it every six months. Our current tuning rates are $175 in Manhattan, significantly lower than the going rate (prices may vary in your area, ask us for details) - unless you're on the Tuning Plan
Insurance requirement:
- We ask that the piano is protected while it's in your home. Most customers either add it to their homeowner's or renter's insurance, or we offer a damage waiver for $12.50/month.
That's it. No security deposits, no surprise charges.
What does delivery cost?
Delivery starts at $225 for upright pianos and $325 for grands. Additional charges may apply if you have flights of stairs, tricky turns, or live farther from our service area. Contact us for a specific quote based on your location and building access.
Is there a security deposit?
No. We never require a security deposit. We also hate surprises. That’s why we ask you to pay for pick up at the beginning. When you're ready for us to pick it up, there's nothing more to pay and no surprises at the end. From time to time our delivery and pick up costs increase, by paying for pick up at the beginning you're locking in the rate.
Do I have to pay sales tax?
PianoPiano only collects sales tax in New York and California. If you're renting from anywhere else in our service area — New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., and beyond — we’re not obligated to collect sales tax on your rental.
What's your mot affordable piano?
Our console uprights start at $48/month on a 12-month contract. People want to call these entry-level, but that’s false. Any of our pianos are good enough for a pro or a hobbyist, or you. The key difference in categories is what your space can reasonably fit. These are 43" instruments suitable for any level of player—we have many professionals who rent them due to space or budget constraints. They're real acoustic pianos, not digital keyboards, and receive the same care and maintenance as all our pianos do.
Rent-to-Own
Can I buy the piano I am renting?
Yes. 100% of your monthly rental payments during the first year apply as credit toward purchase. You can buy anytime during your rental, and we'll apply your accumulated credit to the purchase price. Plus, your purchase price is guaranteed at the time of your rental and will never increase. Piano store prices go up every year (especially last year - tariffs, anyone?), but once you rent with us, your purchase price is locked in. If you purchase the piano you are renting, we also apply the prepaid pickup charge since we don't need to pick it up.
How is your rent-to-own different from other companies?
Most competitors only credit 3-6 months of rental payments, and they require you to decide within a fixed period. We credit 100% of your first full year, and you're never pressured to buy--we don’t expect it, but we’re happy to make it happen if it’s true love. Rent for as long as you want, buy when you're ready, or just return it. Live your life.
What happens to my rental credit after the first year?
After 12 months, your accumulated credit stays with you for as long as you continue renting. You don't lose it. Additional payments after year one don't add to the credit, but you can still apply what you've earned whenever you decide to buy—either toward the piano you're renting or any other piano of equal or greater value. And if you purchase the piano you're renting, the pickup charge you paid upfront also applies toward your purchase (since we don't need to pick it up).
What if I decide I want a different piano than the one I'm renting?
You can exchange pianos anytime. Switch to a baby grand or silent piano, or switch to something smaller or more affordable. We'll make the change, no questions asked. You can even use your rental credit towards the purchase of another piano and we use the pickup charge to do the exchange. No additional moving fees.
Piano Quality & Selection
Are your rental pianos new or used?
We rent new, newly refurbished, and previously rented pianos in like-new condition. All are maintained to professional standards. Every piano comes directly from the manufacturer or our refurbishing facility—we never buy used pianos from individuals. We have complete maintenance records for every instrument, and all come with a 2-year warranty with option to extend if purchased.
Will people know it's rented/refurbished?
No. We place a small PianoPiano logo on our rentals on the left side of the piano. That’s it, aside from the manufacturer’s original brand marks. All of the pianos are premium instruments, tuned, repaired and restored prior to rental according to our specifications, so if it is a refurbished or previously rented instrument, it would take an expert eye to notice. With that in mind, some instruments are new, and some are previously rented or refurbished. Their status depends on warehouse availability, which includes new pianos. So oftentimes renters end up being the first to use the piano. If you specifically want a brand new or newly refurbished piano, just ask us and we’ll make it happen.
What brands do you carry?
We carry Young Chang, Yamaha, Kawai, Weber, Avery Bond, Samick, Hardman, Albert Weber, and KPOP™. Our inventory includes consoles, studio uprights, professional uprights, silent pianos, and baby grands.
Do you have Yamaha U1 or U3 pianos?
What's a silent piano?
A silent piano is a real acoustic piano with a system installed that lets you play with headphones. You get the authentic touch and feel of an acoustic instrument, but you can practice without disturbing anyone. Perfect for apartments, families, roommates, or anyone who wants to choose when to share their music.
How is a silent piano different from a digital keyboard?
A silent piano is not a digital keyboard. It’s a real acoustic piano with 88 keys, real hammers, and real strings. When you play normally, it sounds and plays like any acoustic piano because it is an acoustic piano. The silent system is installed into the piano and adds the option to mute the strings and hear through headphones. When you play with the silent system activated you are still playing the piano and getting full use of the action but no one else can hear you. A digital keyboard is an electronic instrument that simulates piano sound. The touch, response, and experience are completely different.
Delivery & Logistics
Do I have to arrange delivery myself?
No, we're great at this and we don’t allow outside movers to touch our pianos (we’ve seen and heard the horror stories)! Our specialized piano movers are experts at moving and delivering pianos. We’ll work with you to schedule it. Timing and cost for delivery depends on which instrument you choose, and where it’s going, but generally we’re looking at a few days. For emergencies we’ve done rush jobs.
Where do you deliver?
On the East Coast, we deliver everywhere from Boston to Washington, D.C., and as far west as Pittsburgh. On the West Coast, we go from Santa Barbara to San Diego — including all cities and towns in between. It’s a long way to go, but don’t worry, we have audiobooks in the truck. Or, contact us and tell us where you are. Chances are we’ll go there. Or have been there already.
You can also check out our rehearsal and recital spaces. Come by and visit!
How long does delivery take?
Most deliveries can be scheduled within a few days. If you live further away, lead times may be slightly longer. We'll give you a delivery window and our team will call when they're on the way.
Can you deliver to my apartment building?
We deliver to apartments regularly. Our team handles walk-ups, elevators, tight hallways, and difficult building access. About half our customers have challenging delivery situations, and we've seen it all. If your building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI), we can provide one at no extra charge—usually within 1-2 business days. We carry enough insurance to deliver to even the fanciest buildings. Let us know your building specifics when you schedule, and we'll plan accordingly. We’ll also help you choose the right piano for your delivery situation - a 5th floor walk up might have different considerations than an elevator building. We’ve seen it all and can guide you accordingly.
What if I move?
Contact us and we'll move the piano to your new address (moving cost may apply). If you're moving outside our service area, you can return the piano before you go, or buy it and take it with you. And check this out: if your new place requires a different type of piano, we can pick up the old one and deliver a new one to your new address!
We can also arrange domestic or international shipping.
If you're so great at moving pianos, can you move a piano I already own?
Yes! We do that. We can arrange moves across the street or across the country, and can arrange international shipping. Fill out our form so we can understand your situation and we’ll get you set right up.
Tuning & Maintenance
How often will my rental piano be tuned?
As often as you like, but at least twice per year for home use. As seasons change, temperature and humidity shifts cause the wood in your piano to expand and contract, which affects tuning. Regular maintenance keeps your instrument sounding great (not just for you, but for anyone who rents it after you). We'll reach out to schedule, or you can contact us anytime if your piano needs attention. We’ve found that if you own a restaurant, theater or school, you may require more frequent tuning, for the best possible reasons.
What does tuning cost?
If you rented from us, a tuning costs $175 in New York City. For reference, market rate tuning in NYC runs $250+ per service. Outside New York City, there may be additional charges but we promise it will always be lower than market rates. We’re able to get discounted rates from our technicians because we provide them with volume - after all, we own thousands of pianos - and we pass these savings onto you because we want you to have a great playing experience. If you are using your piano for performances or teaching, you may need more frequent tuning. We can set up monthly or even weekly tuning at a discounted rate. Contact us for details.
What if something breaks?
Let us know. Normal wear and tear is covered—we'll send a technician to assess and fix warranty issues. Damage beyond normal use is the customer's responsibility but we’ll make sure it gets fixed quickly at the lowest rates possible.
Do I need to do anything to maintain the piano?
Beyond the twice yearly tunings? The basics: keep it away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and air conditioners. Avoid extreme humidity changes, and don't put drinks on the piano. We’ll send you an email with all these reminders when the piano is delivered and our delivery team and technicians are experts who can help you decide the best placement for your piano.
When cleaning it, never use furniture polish. In fact, if you rent with us, we include a cute cleaning kit you can use.
Beyond that, just play it. We’ll handle the technical maintenance.
Can you tune my piano even if I didn’t rent or buy from you?
Indeed we can! Just fill out our tuning and service request form, and we’ll be in touch.
Returning Your Piano
What if my child quits lessons?
It happens. Just reach out and schedule a pickup. This is exactly why renting makes sense: you're not stuck with a $5,000 instrument collecting dust.
Having said that, sometimes it's a matter of finding a different teacher. We have tons of teachers we work with and can help you find an alternative.
How do I return the piano?
Give us 30 days notice and we'll schedule a pickup. Pick up was prepaid at the beginning so there’s nothing to pay at the end.
We'll coordinate a time that works for you. Request a pickup by email to [email protected].
Is there an early termination fee?
If you're month-to-month, no—you can return anytime with 30 days notice. If you're still within your initial contract period (1, 3, 6, 9, or 12 months), we split the remaining balance so you're not responsible for the full amount. Make sure to read your rental contract for details.
Buying vs. Renting
Should I buy or rent a piano?
We absolutely think rental is for everybody, and gives you the maximal amount of flexibility at the lowest cost to get the right piano in your home. You can also switch pianos if the one you get doesn’t match your needs or your needs change. When you’re done with it, we pick it up. Pretty hard to beat. We call this “piano when you want it, not when you don’t.”
And if you fall in love with it, 100% of your first year's payments apply toward purchase — so you're not throwing money away either. Ain’t (piano) love grand?
Still interested in owning? Read our guide, How Much Does a Piano Really Cost? The 2026 Pricing Guide Nobody Shows You for a deep dive.
How much does it actually cost to buy a piano?
New upright pianos range from $3,000 for smaller consoles to $30,000+ for high-end professional instruments. Baby grands start around $12,000 and go up to $35,000+. Used pianos cost 40-50% less, but condition varies widely and you could end up with a lemon.
Contrast that with rental at PianoPiano:
Upright Pianos
Consoles starting at $48/month
Studio Uprights starting at $99/month
Professional Uprights starting at $145/month
Grands
Petite Baby Grands starting at $225/month
Baby Grands starting at $250/month
Grands starting at $275/month
With silent systems available at each tier.
We think the math speaks for itself. There is no simpler or more affordable way to get a piano into your home right now. And we’ll say it again: 100% of your first year's payments apply toward purchase. So if you think you want to own you can, without the risk.
We’ve looked into this a bit. Check out this article for more details on piano costs, where we compare the things to know about renting and buying. We think renting is a great choice for almost everybody, and we happily sell pianos through our sister company Young Chang and Weber, too.
What are the hidden costs of owning a piano?
Beyond the purchase price, you may pay for delivery, although when buying many dealers include it ($300-700), tuning twice a year ($500+/year, if you aren’t renting from us), occasional repairs and regulation ($300-800), and climate control if you're serious about maintenance. Then there's the resale problem: pianos depreciate significantly--more so than even cars--and when you're done, selling is extremely difficult. Most people who try to sell end up giving the piano away or paying to have it removed. Finally, beware of 0% financing, there are usually hidden fees here as well that vary depending on the length of the terms. And if you miss a payment, it could negatively impact your credit.
Can I really not sell a piano later?
It's very difficult. Pianos depreciate roughly 66% almost immediately. A $15,000 piano might fetch $5,000, if you can find a buyer. Dealers offer even less. We get calls every day from people trying to sell us their pianos. (Please don't call us. We don’t buy them.) There's a reason there are so many "free piano" listings on Facebook and Craigslist.
Can I pause my rental?
Depending on how long you've been renting with us, you may be able to pause your rental for a few months or pay a reduced rate (50% of your monthly payment) during months you're not using it. This is especially helpful for college students on summer break or families who spend summers at a vacation home. Talk to us about your situation—it's often less expensive than returning and re-renting later.
About PianoPiano
How long have you been in business?
Over 50 years. We're a third-generation family business serving musicians in NYC and beyond.
Where is your showroom?
Our New York showroom is at 37 West 65th Street, 4th Floor, across the street from Lincoln Center. We're open 7 days a week. Our California location can be found at 701 N. Harbor Boulevard in Fullerton - please call to make an appointment.
Can I visit to try pianos before renting?
Of course! Visit either of our showrooms, play as many pianos as you want, and talk to our team about which instrument fits your needs. Give us a call/email before coming in so we can make sure we’re ready for you.
I can’t make it to the showroom. Do you do virtual tours of the pianos?
Sure! If you can’t make it, we’re happy to do a zoom or facetime or send you photos or video of a piano you’re interested in.
Do you offer piano lessons?
We don't teach lessons directly, but we can refer you to someone from our qualified network of teachers in your area.
This all sounds amazing. Where do I sign up?
Doesn’t it? We think so too. Just click here to see our full selection of pianos available to rent.