How Much Does Piano Removal Cost?
Pianos are one of the trickiest items to move. They're extremely heavy (150–500kg+), awkwardly shaped, and easily damaged. This is one job that almost always requires specialists.
Average Piano Removal Costs
| Piano Type | Weight | Local (< 20 miles) | Long Distance (50+ miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright piano | 150 – 300 kg | £80 – £200 | £200 – £500 |
| Baby grand | 250 – 350 kg | £200 – £400 | £400 – £800 |
| Grand piano | 350 – 550 kg | £300 – £600 | £600 – £1,200 |
| Concert grand | 400 – 600 kg | £400 – £800 | £800 – £1,500+ |
These prices include collection, transport, and delivery to the new location on ground floor level.
What Affects the Cost?
Stairs are the biggest cost multiplier. Moving a piano up or down stairs requires extra people and specialist equipment:
- Each flight of stairs adds £30–£80 to the price
- A crane may be needed for upper floors without stair access (£200–£500+)
- Some removers won't move grand pianos above ground floor without a crane
Access at both ends matters. Narrow doorways, tight hallways, steps, and gravel paths all make the job harder and take longer.
Piano type — uprights are relatively straightforward. Grand pianos need to be tipped on their side and the legs removed, requiring more expertise and time.
Distance — as with any move, longer distances cost more. Most piano movers charge a flat rate for local jobs and add a mileage surcharge for longer distances.
Why Use a Specialist Piano Mover?
Regular removal companies and man-and-van services often refuse to move pianos or will do so without proper insurance. Specialist piano movers offer:
- Purpose-built equipment — piano trolleys, skid boards, ramps, and harnesses
- Trained staff — they know how to handle the weight distribution
- Specialist insurance — covers the full value of the instrument
- Experience with stairs and tight spaces — they've solved every access problem
- Climate-controlled vehicles — important for valuable or antique instruments
Tuning After a Move
Always get your piano tuned after moving it. Moving causes physical vibration and temperature/humidity changes that affect tuning. Wait 2-4 weeks after the move for the piano to settle in its new environment before tuning.
A standard tuning costs £60–£100. Factor this into your budget.
Can I Move a Piano Myself?
For an upright piano moving ground floor to ground floor with no steps — it's technically possible with 3-4 strong people and a piano trolley. But it's risky:
- Pianos are top-heavy and tip easily
- Dropping one can cause irreparable damage
- Personal injury risk is very high
- Your home insurance won't cover damage caused during a DIY move
For anything involving stairs, a grand piano, or a valuable instrument — always use specialists.
Getting Piano Removal Quotes
When requesting quotes, provide:
- Piano type — upright, baby grand, grand
- Make and model if known (affects value and handling)
- Current location — which floor, any stairs, doorway widths
- New location — same details
- Access — can a vehicle park close to both properties?
- Date flexibility — as with all removals, flexibility saves money
Get 2-3 quotes from specialist piano movers. Don't choose purely on price — check insurance cover and reviews carefully.
For your full house move estimate, use our calculator and remember to factor in piano removal as a separate specialist cost.