Piano Removals
Piano Removals by Acton Movers
Specialist Piano Removals You Can Rely On
Moving a piano is very different from moving standard furniture. At Acton Movers, we provide dedicated piano removals carried out by experienced, trained crews using the correct equipment and techniques. Whether you own an upright in a flat or a grand piano in a concert venue, we plan and execute every move to protect the instrument, the building and everyone involved.
We work across {area} and surrounding areas, helping homeowners, businesses and institutions move pianos safely, on time and with full insurance protection.
Local Piano Moving Expertise in {area}
As an established removals company operating in {area}, we know the local streets, parking restrictions, access issues and common property layouts. That local knowledge is invaluable when planning piano removals, especially where there are tight staircases, basements, upper-floor flats or restricted loading bays.
We liaise with building managers where needed, arrange parking suspensions when possible, and schedule moves to minimise disruption to neighbours or businesses. Our local expertise helps keep your move efficient, safe and compliant with local regulations.
Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For
Our specialist piano moving service is designed for:
- Homeowners moving house or rearranging rooms, including internal moves between floors.
- Renters in flats or houses needing careful piano relocation without damage to walls, floors or staircases.
- Landlords managing furnished properties where pianos need to be moved, stored or removed between tenancies.
- Businesses such as schools, theatres, studios, hotels, churches and event venues with regular piano moves.
- Students at music colleges or universities who need reliable, affordable piano transport at term start or end.
Whether the move is across {area} or to another part of the UK, we tailor the service to your situation.
What Our Piano Removal Service Includes
We handle most types of domestic and professional pianos and related equipment, including:
- Upright pianos
- Baby grand and grand pianos (with partial dismantling where appropriate)
- Digital pianos and stage pianos
- Piano benches and stools
- Music stands and small associated items
- Internal moves within the same property or building
Items and Situations Typically Excluded
To keep everyone safe and comply with insurance conditions, certain items or scenarios may be excluded or require special arrangement:
- Pianos with known serious structural damage or severe woodworm.
- Pianos in unsafe environments (e.g. unstable floors, condemned buildings).
- Moves involving crane lifts or roof removals without prior survey and agreement.
- Non-piano hazardous items such as gas cylinders, fuel, or chemicals.
If your piano is in a particularly challenging location, we will assess it during the survey and advise on the safest, most cost-effective method.
Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process
1. Enquiry & Quotation
When you contact Acton Movers, we will ask you a few key questions: piano type and size, current and destination addresses, floor levels, access details and any time constraints. Based on this, we provide a clear, no-obligation quotation outlining what is included, any optional extras, and our proposed timescale.
2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite
For most pianos, especially grands or complex access, we recommend a survey. This can be done via video call with photos, or an onsite visit in {area} where practical. We check staircases, doorways, lifts, parking, and any tight turns. This allows us to plan the route, select the right equipment and allocate the correct number of movers, reducing the risk of delays or complications on the day.
3. Packing & Preparation
On the day, our professional team protects your piano before it moves an inch. We may remove pedals, music stands, or legs (for grands) as needed. We use padded covers, export blankets, securing straps and floor protection to guard both the instrument and your property. Any dismantled parts are wrapped and clearly labelled. We treat every piano as if it were our own, with careful, methodical preparation.
4. Loading & Transport
Using piano skids, dollies, ramps and tail-lift vehicles where required, we move the piano along the pre-planned route. Our crews are trained in safe lifting and handling techniques specifically for heavy, awkward loads. Once loaded, the piano is secured inside the vehicle to prevent movement during transit. Our fleet is maintained to a high standard, and your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance throughout the journey.
5. Unloading & Placement
At the destination, we reverse the process, carefully unloading, manoeuvring and placing the piano exactly where you want it. We protect floors and walls as we go, reassemble any removed parts, and carry out final checks for stability and positioning. We can also move the piano slightly after placement to help you find the best spot in the room.
Transparent Piano Removal Pricing
Piano moves vary widely in complexity, so we price each job individually rather than using a one-size-fits-all fee. Our quotations take into account:
- Piano type, make and approximate weight.
- Distance between properties.
- Number of floors and access challenges at each end.
- Parking arrangements and any special equipment needed.
- Time constraints, such as evenings or weekends.
We provide clear, itemised quotes so you understand exactly what you are paying for before you book. There are no hidden extras on the day unless the scope of work changes by mutual agreement.
Why Choose Professional Piano Movers Over DIY or Man-and-Van?
Pianos are heavy, delicate and expensive. A small mistake can cause serious damage to the instrument, your property or the people involved. Using a professional removals company like Acton Movers offers several advantages:
- Specialist equipment designed for piano moving, not general furniture.
- Trained crews who regularly move pianos and understand their balance and structure.
- Full goods in transit insurance and public liability cover, unlike many casual services.
- Proper planning and surveys for tight or complex access.
- Reduced risk of personal injury from lifting incorrectly.
DIY attempts or low-cost man-and-van outfits may seem cheaper initially, but the cost of repairs or injury can quickly outweigh any savings.
Insurance and Professional Standards
Acton Movers operates to high professional standards backed by appropriate insurance and training:
- Goods in transit insurance to protect your piano while it is being moved and transported.
- Public liability cover in case of accidental damage to third-party property or injury.
- Trained, uniformed staff with regular manual handling and safety training.
- Well-maintained vehicles and equipment specifically suited to heavy, delicate loads.
We are happy to provide evidence of cover and answer any questions about how your piano is protected during the move.
Care, Protection and Our Approach to Sustainability
We believe that careful piano moving and responsible working go hand in hand. During every move we:
- Use high-quality padded covers and reusable protective materials where possible.
- Plan routes to minimise carrying distances and reduce risk of damage.
- Reduce unnecessary journeys by efficient scheduling in and around {area}.
- Maintain our vehicles regularly to improve fuel efficiency and reliability.
By investing in durable, reusable protection and equipment, we not only safeguard your piano but also cut down on single-use packing waste.
Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases
Moving House
When you move home, your piano is often one of the last items out and first items in. We coordinate with your main house removal schedule so the piano is handled safely but efficiently, avoiding bottlenecks on moving day.
Office, School and Venue Relocations
We regularly move pianos for schools, churches, theatres, hotels and studios in and around {area}. We can work outside normal hours where necessary to minimise disruption, and we are used to coordinating with caretakers, facilities teams and event schedules.
Urgent and Short-Notice Moves
Sometimes pianos need to be moved at short notice – for example, following a sale, water damage risk, or emergency works. Where our diary allows, we offer rapid-response or same-day moves within {area}, always balancing speed with safe working practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a piano removal cost?
The cost of a piano removal depends on the piano type, access conditions and distance between properties. Moving a small upright a short distance with good access will be less than relocating a grand piano from a third-floor flat with tight stairs. After a short discussion and, where needed, a survey, we provide a clear, fixed quote with no hidden extras. This quote covers the team, vehicle, equipment, and insurance, so you know exactly what you are paying before you book.
Can you do same-day or urgent piano moves?
We can often accommodate same-day or urgent piano moves in {area}, depending on our existing schedule and the complexity of your job. Simple moves between nearby addresses with straightforward access are easier to fit in at short notice. More complex moves, such as grands or multi-floor properties, may require at least a little planning time. If you have an urgent requirement, contact us as early as possible, and we will advise realistically on availability and any premium that may apply.
Is my piano insured while it is being moved?
Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care, including loading, transport and unloading. We also hold public liability cover in case of accidental damage to buildings or third-party property. Insurance is not a substitute for careful handling, so our main focus is always on safe working practices, correct equipment and experienced crews. If you have a particularly high-value or historic instrument, let us know so we can confirm appropriate levels of cover in advance.
What is included in a professional piano removal service?
A professional piano removal typically includes planning and route assessment, protection of the piano and property, specialist handling equipment, trained staff, secure loading, safe transport, and careful placement at the destination. For grands, this may also include partial dismantling and reassembly. Our quotation will clearly state what is included and any optional extras, such as storage or additional internal moves. We aim to provide a complete, end-to-end service so you do not have to arrange separate help for different stages of the move.
How is a professional removal different from using a man-and-van?
While some man-and-van services are competent, many lack the specialist equipment, experience and insurance required for safe piano moves. Professional removers like Acton Movers use piano skids, padded covers, stair protection and tail-lift vehicles, and our crews are trained specifically to handle heavy, awkward items. We conduct surveys where needed, plan the route carefully and provide full insurance cover. This reduces the risk of damage to the piano or property and gives you a single, accountable company responsible for the whole process.
How far in advance should I book a piano removal?
For the best choice of dates and times, we recommend booking your piano removal at least one to two weeks in advance, especially during busy periods such as month-end or summer. This allows time for a survey if required and for any parking or access arrangements to be made. However, we understand that plans can change quickly, so we always try to help with shorter notice bookings where our schedule allows. The earlier you contact us, the more flexible we can be with timing.