Free pianos are common in classifieds, usually because the previous owner wants the space back and moving one privately is difficult - not necessarily because the instrument is worthless, but that's not guaranteed either.
The real cost isn't the piano
- Professional piano moving is specialist work and is not cheap, especially for a grand piano involving disassembly and reassembly (see our article on moving costs).
- Piano technicians commonly find that a significant share of "free" pianos offered publicly turn out not to be economically tunable or repairable - meaning the moving cost was spent for an instrument that then needs disposal.
- If repairs are needed (strings, hammers, action work), those costs can quickly exceed what a comparable playable instrument would have cost to simply buy outright.
Before accepting one
- Ask for recent tuning/service history and photos of the soundboard, strings and hammers.
- If at all possible, have a piano technician assess it in person before committing to the move - many offer a paid inspection specifically for this situation, which is far cheaper than an unnecessary move.
A free piano can absolutely be a great find - but only after the real costs (transport, tuning, potential repairs) are weighed against what a modestly priced instrument in known good condition would cost instead.
