Piano Removals by Moving Furniture
Moving a piano safely takes far more than strength and a van. At Moving Furniture, we provide specialist piano removals carried out by trained professionals using the correct equipment, protective materials and vehicles. Whether you have an upright in a terraced house or a baby grand in a concert venue, we move your instrument with care and precision.
Specialist Piano Removals Explained
Pianos are heavy, delicate and mechanically complex. A typical upright can weigh over 200kg, while a grand piano can exceed 400kg. Our service is designed to protect both your piano and your property.
We use piano skates, stair climbers, padded covers, straps and, where needed, specialist boards for grand pianos. Our team plans the route carefully, removes obstacles, protects floors and doorways, and secures the piano correctly in our vehicles for transport.
Every move is carried out by a trained, professional, fully insured team that understands both the structural and musical value of your instrument.
Local Piano Removals Expertise in {area}
We know {area} and the surrounding areas well – from tight Victorian terraces and high-rise flats to modern estates and rural properties. This local knowledge helps us plan access, parking and timings realistically, reducing stress on moving day.
We regularly work with music teachers, schools, rehearsal spaces and private clients across {area}, so we understand common access challenges such as narrow staircases, communal hallways and controlled parking zones. Where required, we can advise on parking suspensions and access arrangements in advance.
Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For
Our piano removals are tailored for:
- Homeowners – moving house, renovating, or relocating a piano to another property.
- Renters – moving between rented homes, including flats with limited access.
- Landlords – arranging safe removal or relocation of pianos between tenancies.
- Businesses – schools, music studios, churches, event venues and hotels with pianos on site.
- Students – music students moving between home, university accommodation and practice spaces.
Whether this is your family’s treasured upright or a performance instrument used professionally, we adapt our approach to suit your situation.
What Our Piano Removals Include
Items and Services Included
- Upright pianos (including overstrung and modern uprights)
- Digital pianos and large keyboards on stands
- Baby grand and grand pianos (with partial disassembly where required)
- Supply and use of protective covers, blankets and floor protection
- Route planning and risk assessment on the day
- Loading, secure transport and unloading at the new property
- Placement of the piano in your chosen room and final positioning
What Is Not Included as Standard
For clarity, the following are typically not included in a standard piano removal, though some can be arranged separately:
- Piano tuning (usually recommended a few weeks after the move)
- Major dismantling or restoration work
- Long-term storage, unless booked as an additional service
- Removal of other household furniture or full-house moves (these can be quoted separately)
- Crane or external lift hire (arranged where absolutely necessary and quoted in advance)
Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process
1. Enquiry & Quote
You contact us with key details: piano type, current and destination addresses, access notes (stairs, lifts, parking) and preferred dates. We then provide a clear, no-obligation quote, explaining exactly what is included. If anything is uncertain, we will ask for photos or arrange a survey to avoid surprises later.
2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite
For most piano moves, a quick virtual survey using photos or video is sufficient. For more complex moves (tight staircases, high floors, unusual access), we may visit in person. We check doorway widths, stair turns, lift sizes, external steps and parking options, and confirm whether any special equipment or extra staff are needed.
3. Packing & Preparation
On the day, we prepare the piano and the property. This can include removing pedals or legs on grands, wrapping the instrument in padded covers and securing lids and moving parts. We protect floors, bannisters and door frames with appropriate materials to prevent damage to your home.
4. Loading & Transport
The team carefully moves the piano using professional equipment, always maintaining control and communication. Once in the vehicle, the piano is positioned and secured using straps and blocks to prevent any movement in transit. Our vehicles are clean, equipped for fragile loads and covered by goods in transit insurance.
5. Unloading & Placement
At the destination, we repeat the same careful process in reverse. The piano is brought into the property, placed where you want it and levelled as required. We remove our protective materials and do a final check with you before we leave, ensuring you are happy with the piano’s position.
Transparent Piano Removals Pricing
Piano moves vary widely depending on access, distance and piano type, so we price each job individually rather than using a one-size-fits-all rate. Our quotes are transparent and itemised where necessary, with no hidden extras added on the day.
Factors that affect cost include:
- Type and size of piano (upright, digital, baby grand, grand)
- Number of stairs or floors at each property
- Distance between addresses
- Parking and access complexity
- Need for additional staff or specialist equipment
We will always explain how the price is calculated and suggest cost-effective options where possible, such as flexible dates or combining with other moves.
Why Use a Professional Piano Removal Service Instead of DIY
Trying to move a piano yourself or using a casual man-and-van service can be risky. Pianos are not only heavy; their weight is unevenly distributed and internal components are sensitive to knocks and twists.
With a professional service you benefit from:
- Trained staff who understand how pianos are constructed and how they should be handled
- Proper equipment designed specifically for heavy, awkward items
- Goods in transit insurance and public liability cover
- Reduced risk of injury to you or damage to your property
- A structured, predictable process rather than improvisation on the day
In many cases, the cost of professional piano removal is far less than the potential cost of damage or injury from a DIY attempt.
Insurance and Professional Standards
Your piano and property are protected throughout the move. As a professional removals company, Moving Furniture provides:
- Goods in transit insurance – covering your piano while it is in our care and on our vehicles.
- Public liability cover – protection in the unlikely event of accidental damage to your property.
- Trained moving teams – staff who are experienced in handling pianos and regularly refreshed on safe working practices.
We work to proven methods and risk assessments, keeping you informed at every stage so you know exactly what to expect.
Care, Protection and Sustainability
We treat every piano as if it were our own. Protective covers, blankets and secure strapping are used on every job, and we take time to safeguard walls, floors and doorways.
From a sustainability perspective, we plan our routes efficiently to reduce unnecessary mileage and fuel use, and we maintain our vehicles regularly for reliability and lower emissions. We also reuse durable protective materials wherever possible and dispose of any waste responsibly.
Common Piano Removal Scenarios
- Moving house – coordinating the piano move with your wider home removal, or as a standalone job.
- Office or venue relocation – moving pianos for schools, theatres, hotels and churches to new premises.
- Internal moves – relocating a piano within the same building, such as from one floor to another.
- Urgent or short-notice moves – where dates change unexpectedly or a last-minute move is required.
Whatever the situation, we plan around your timescales and building constraints, working considerately around neighbours, staff and residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a piano removal cost?
The cost of a piano removal depends on several factors: the type of piano, access at both properties, the number of stairs, and the distance between addresses. Upright pianos with straightforward ground-floor access are generally at the lower end of the scale, while grand pianos, multiple flights of stairs or complex access will cost more. We provide a tailored quote once we have key details, and we are always happy to explain how the price is worked out so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?
Where our schedule allows, we can often accommodate same-day or urgent piano removals, especially within {area} and nearby locations. Availability will depend on existing bookings, travel time and whether any specialist equipment or extra staff are needed. If you have an urgent requirement, contact us as early as possible with full details. We will be honest about what is achievable, suggest realistic time windows, and, if we cannot help personally, we may be able to advise alternative options or dates.
Is my piano insured during the move?
Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care, and our public liability cover protects against accidental damage to your property. These policies are specifically arranged for professional removals work, not general courier services. We can provide confirmation of cover on request and are happy to talk through what is and is not included. For particularly high-value or historic instruments, we will discuss any additional requirements with you before confirming the booking.
What is included in a piano removals service?
Our standard piano removals service includes loading, secure transport and unloading of your piano between the agreed addresses, with appropriate protective covers, floor protection and professional handling. We also plan the route through each property, manage stairs and tight spaces, and place the piano in your chosen room at the destination. Tuning, long-term storage, major dismantling or crane work are not included as standard, but we can advise on these and, in some cases, arrange them as additional services if required.
How is a professional piano removal different from a man-and-van?
A professional piano removal is carried out by trained staff using specialist equipment, with appropriate insurance and a structured process. Many general man-and-van operators do not have the experience, tools or cover needed for heavy, delicate instruments. With a professional service, the risk of damage or injury is significantly reduced, and you have clear accountability if something does go wrong. For an item as valuable and awkward as a piano, this additional protection and expertise is usually well worth the difference in cost.
How far in advance should I book my piano move?
Where possible, we recommend booking your piano removal at least one to two weeks in advance, especially if you need a specific date or time slot. This allows us to complete any surveys, plan access and allocate the right team and equipment. That said, we understand that plans can change quickly, and we will always try to accommodate short-notice requests where our schedule permits. The more information you can provide upfront, the easier it is for us to fit you in efficiently.
