Piano Removals

Piano Removals in London by Soho Movers

Moving a piano is very different from moving ordinary furniture. At Soho Movers, we provide specialist piano removals throughout London, using the right equipment, vehicles and techniques to move your instrument safely, whether it is an upright in a flat or a concert grand in a performance space.

Specialist Piano Removals Service Explained

Our piano removals service is designed around the weight, shape and sensitivity of pianos. We combine protective wrapping, purpose-built trollies, stair climbers and air-suspended vehicles to keep your piano stable from start to finish.

We routinely move:

• Upright pianos (standard, studio and tall uprights)
• Baby grand pianos
• Grand and concert grand pianos
• Digital pianos and stage pianos

Every move is planned in advance. We assess access routes, stairs, lifts, parking, flooring and timing so that the removal on the day is smooth, safe and predictable.

Local London Piano Moving Expertise

Based in central London, Soho Movers understands the access challenges that come with piano removals in the city: narrow staircases, tight basement flats, residents' parking and loading restrictions. We deal with these issues every day, so we know how to plan appropriately and secure the right parking dispensations where needed.

Our teams regularly work across all London boroughs, from townhouse moves in Kensington and Islington to flats in Soho and Shoreditch, and performance spaces, rehearsal rooms and schools across Greater London.

Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For

Our specialist piano moving service is suitable for:

• Homeowners moving house or rearranging rooms
• Renters moving between flats, often with tight staircases
• Landlords needing pianos relocated, removed or placed into storage between tenancies
• Businesses such as studios, schools, theatres, hotels and event venues
• Students at music colleges or universities moving between London addresses

Whether you need a single internal move within a property or a full relocation across London or beyond, we tailor the service to your situation.

What Our Piano Removals Include

Included as Standard

• Pre-move assessment (photos, video or onsite survey as required)
• Provision of trained, professional piano movers
• Protective blankets and padding for the piano
• Floor and wall protection where needed
• Safe dismantling of grands (legs, pedals and lyre) where applicable
• Specialist moving equipment (trollies, skids, ramps and straps)
• Transport in fully insured vehicles with goods in transit cover
• Placement of the piano in your chosen room and position

What Is Not Included

• Tuning or technical repairs (we can recommend local piano technicians)
• Long-term storage, unless agreed as a separate service
• Removal of other household contents, unless booked with a full removals service
• Disposal of unwanted pianos, unless specified and quoted separately

If you need additional services such as storage, combined household removals, or same-building internal moves, we can build these into a single, clear quotation.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

You contact us with basic details: type of piano, collection and delivery postcodes, property type and any access notes. Where possible, we ask for photos or short videos of entrances, staircases and any tight corners. Using this information, we provide a clear, no-obligation quote, usually on a fixed-price basis.

2. Survey (Virtual or Onsite)

For complex moves – such as large grands, multiple flights of stairs or restricted London access – we arrange a virtual or onsite survey. This allows us to check measurements, parking, lift size, and any obstacles. From this survey, we confirm the crew size, equipment and estimated timing for your move.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the day, our team arrives at the agreed time, introduces themselves and walks through the route with you. We protect floors and tight corners as needed. Upright pianos are carefully wrapped and secured; grands are partially dismantled and placed on a piano skid. All parts are padded to protect both the instrument and your property.

4. Loading & Transport

We use specialist trollies, ramps and, where necessary, stair climbers to move the piano safely out of the property. Once at the vehicle, we load using a tail lift where available and secure the piano with industry-approved strapping inside the vehicle. Your piano travels in a dedicated or appropriately loaded vehicle to avoid unnecessary risk.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process carefully, checking doorways and routes before moving the piano inside. We place it exactly where you want it, reassemble any removed parts, and perform a final visual check with you. We recommend allowing the piano to settle and then arranging tuning a couple of weeks after the move.

Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals

We believe in clear, upfront pricing. Piano removals are usually charged on a fixed-fee basis rather than hourly. The price depends on:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
• Number of steps or floors involved
• Parking distance from the property
• Access constraints (narrow staircases, tight corners)
• Distance between collection and delivery addresses
• Any additional services such as storage or combined house removals

Your written quote will state exactly what is included, so you know what you are paying for, with no hidden extras added on the day unless the scope changes and is agreed.

Why Use Professional Piano Movers Instead of DIY

A piano can weigh anywhere from 150kg to over 500kg. Attempting to move one without the proper equipment and training can easily result in injury, damage to the piano, and damage to floors, walls or staircases.

Choosing a professional piano removals company means:

• Specialist equipment designed specifically for pianos
• Experienced crews who understand balance, weight distribution and safe lifting
• Fully insured transport, protecting your instrument in transit
• Planned access, avoiding avoidable damage and delays
• Clear responsibility and accountability, rather than relying on friends or casual labour

Compared with a general man-and-van, a specialist service provides far greater protection for both your piano and your property.

Insurance & Professional Standards

Soho Movers operates to high professional standards, with appropriate insurance and training in place.

• Goods in transit insurance to protect your piano while it is in our vehicles
• Public liability cover for peace of mind when we are working in your property
• Trained moving teams experienced in handling heavy and delicate items
• Regularly maintained vehicles suitable for transporting pianos
• Risk assessments for complex or restricted-access moves

We are always happy to share evidence of cover and answer any questions about how your piano will be protected.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

Our approach balances care for your piano, your property and the environment. We use robust reusable blankets, skids and straps rather than single-use materials wherever possible. For additional wrapping, we select materials that offer strong protection with minimal waste.

Route planning and scheduling aim to minimise unnecessary mileage, reducing our carbon footprint while still providing a reliable, punctual service. Where a piano is no longer required and beyond economical repair, we can advise on responsible disposal and recycling options.

Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases

Moving House

For homeowners or renters moving within or out of London, we can integrate your piano move into a full household removals service or handle it as a dedicated, separate job. This ensures your piano receives the attention it requires while the rest of your belongings are moved.

Office and Commercial Relocations

Studios, schools, theatres, hotels and event venues often need pianos moved between buildings or performance spaces. We schedule these moves to fit around your operations, including early mornings or evenings where agreed, to minimise disruption.

Urgent and Short-Notice Moves

Sometimes a piano needs to be moved quickly – for example, ahead of a tenancy ending, a venue booking or urgent building works. Subject to availability, we can provide short-notice or same-day piano removals within London, always maintaining our safety and care standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

Piano removal costs depend mainly on the type of piano, the access at each property and the distance travelled. Uprights on the ground floor with straightforward access are usually at the lower end of the scale, while grands, multiple flights of stairs or very tight access increase the price. We typically work on a fixed-fee basis so you know the cost before booking. To provide an accurate quote, we will ask for details and photos of the piano and both locations.

Can you offer same-day or urgent piano removals?

We can often accommodate same-day or short-notice piano moves within London, depending on our schedule and the complexity of the job. Straightforward ground-floor upright moves are easier to arrange at short notice; large grands or properties with difficult access may require more planning. If you need an urgent move, contact us with as much detail as possible and we will confirm availability, timescales and pricing. We never compromise on safety or care, even when working to tight deadlines.

Is my piano insured during the move?

Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our vehicles, and our public liability cover protects against accidental damage to property while we are working on site. These policies sit alongside our careful handling procedures and staff training. We are happy to explain the scope of cover and any limits that apply. For particularly high-value instruments, you may also wish to speak with your own insurer about complementary cover for complete peace of mind.

What is included in your piano removal service?

Our standard piano removal service includes a pre-move assessment, provision of trained, professional movers, all necessary protective blankets and equipment, safe removal from the property, secure loading, transport in an insured vehicle, and careful placement at the new address. We also protect vulnerable floors and surfaces where required. Tuning and technical work are not included, but we can recommend technicians. If you need combined house removals, storage or internal moves in the same building, we can add these to your quotation.

How is your service different from a man-and-van?

While some man-and-van operators will move pianos, they may not have the specific equipment, training or insurance cover required for such heavy and delicate items. Our teams use specialist skids, trollies and strapping, and follow set techniques developed from regular piano work. We also carry dedicated goods in transit and public liability insurance suitable for professional removals. The result is a safer, more controlled move, significantly reducing the risk of damage to your piano and property compared with a general transport service.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

For the best choice of dates and times, particularly at weekends or month-end, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance. This is especially important for grands, pianos on higher floors or addresses with difficult access, as we may need to arrange a survey and secure parking. However, we understand that moves are not always planned that far ahead. If you have a short-notice requirement, contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you within our existing schedule.