Moving a Piano: The Complete Guide

Why Pianos Are Different

A piano is one of the few household items that is simultaneously very heavy and very delicate. An upright can weigh 200–400kg; a baby grand up to 400kg. Yet the interior is built to thousandths of a millimetre, and a knock can knock it out of tune — or out of action.

That combination is why professional piano movers exist, and why the piano removal service is a specialism rather than an add-on.

Upright vs Grand: The Difference

Uprights

Moved upright on a purpose-built trolley, they travel best standing. The heavy part is the keyboard end — the case may be thin wood, so it's protected and handled, never pushed.

Grands

Grands are moved differently: legs and lyre are removed, the instrument is tilted carefully onto its side on an insulated board, and the lid stays protected throughout. A three-person crew minimum.

What Affects the Cost

Type and size — a concert grand is a different project from an upright.
Stairs and access — lifts, corridors and corner turns decide the technique.
Distance — local moves are cheaper than long-distance journeys.
Insurance — always confirm the piano is covered for the full value.

Why Not to DIY

Hiring a van and three friends sounds cheaper until you consider that piano repair is expensive, tuning costs money, and an injured back costs more than any removal quote. Straps, trolleys, ramps and experience are what prevent both breakage and injury.

Prepare the Piano

Lock the lid and keybed.
Wrap the legs and lyre (for grands) in protective blankets.
Clear a path — the crew shouldn't have to move your boxes to reach it.
Tell the crew about stairs, tight corners and the exact route in advance.

After the Move

A piano should be tuned a few weeks after moving, once it has acclimatised to its new room — avoid placing it against an external wall or near a radiator.

Book a Specialist

Our piano removal crew handles uprights and grands across the West Midlands and beyond. Get a fixed quote or call 0121 679 2511.