Piano Removals
Piano Removals by Brompton Movers
Specialist Piano Removals You Can Rely On
Moving a piano is never just another job. At Brompton Movers, our dedicated piano removals teams handle everything from compact uprights to full concert grands with precision, planning and care. We combine specialist equipment with experienced crews who understand how pianos are constructed, how they respond to movement and how to protect both the instrument and your property.
Whether your piano is a treasured family heirloom or a professional performance instrument, we treat it with the respect it deserves, ensuring it arrives safely, in tuneable condition and ready to play.
Local Expertise from Brompton Movers
Our crews work across the local area every day, navigating tight staircases, basement flats, mews houses and busy high streets. That local knowledge matters when planning access, parking and timings for a safe and efficient piano move.
We coordinate with building management, neighbours and concierges where needed, and we’re used to dealing with loading restrictions, lift limitations and awkward access. If there’s a way to get your piano in or out safely, we’ll plan it and manage it step by step.
Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For
Our specialist piano moves are suitable for:
- Homeowners moving between houses or placing a piano into storage.
- Renters in flats or houses with narrow stairs or limited access.
- Landlords needing pianos moved between furnished properties or communal areas.
- Businesses such as schools, music studios, theatres, churches and event venues.
- Students at music colleges or universities moving term-time accommodation or practice rooms.
Whether it’s a single internal move within a property or a full relocation across the country, Brompton Movers provides the same careful, professional approach.
What We Can and Can’t Move
Items Included in Our Piano Removals
Our specialist teams regularly move:
- Upright pianos – from small practice uprights to large overstrungs.
- Baby grand and grand pianos – including partial dismantling where required.
- Digital and stage pianos – with stands, pedals and accessories.
- Piano stools and benches, music stands and related furniture.
- Pianos going to or from storage units, auction houses or repair workshops.
Items and Situations We May Exclude
For safety and insurance reasons, we may be unable to move:
- Pianos with severe structural damage or active infestation.
- Instruments in properties with unsafe floors, steps or access.
- Pianos that require complex crane work where local permissions cannot be obtained.
- Other heavy objects (e.g. safes, machinery) unless agreed as part of the quotation.
Your survey will highlight any concerns in advance so we can either plan an appropriate solution or explain clearly what is not feasible.
Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process
1. Enquiry & Quote
Once you contact Brompton Movers, we’ll gather key details: piano type, approximate dimensions, current and destination addresses, access notes and preferred dates. For straightforward moves we can often provide a clear, written quote based on this information alone. There are no hidden extras; any additional charges (such as hoists or special equipment) are explained before you book.
2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite
For grand pianos or more complex access, we arrange a virtual or onsite survey. We’ll assess:
- Staircases, tight turns and landings.
- Lifts, corridors and door widths.
- Parking and distance from vehicle to property.
- Any need for extra crew, ramps or lifting equipment.
This ensures we send the right team, the right vehicle and the correct protection materials on the day.
3. Packing & Preparation
On moving day, our trained crew will carefully prepare your piano:
- Protecting floors and entrances with coverings.
- Removing lids, legs and lyres on grand pianos where required.
- Wrapping the instrument in padded covers and export-grade blankets.
- Securing moving parts to prevent damage in transit.
We also protect walls, bannisters and door frames throughout the route.
4. Loading & Transport
We use piano skates, dollies, lifting straps and purpose-built ramps to move the instrument safely to our vehicle. The piano is securely strapped and chocked to prevent movement. Our vehicles are equipped with air-ride suspension or equivalent protections where appropriate to minimise vibration. Your piano is transported directly wherever possible, reducing handling and risk.
5. Unloading & Placement
At the destination, we reverse the process with the same care. We position the piano exactly where you want it, reassemble where necessary and remove all protective materials. We can advise on suitable placement with regard to flooring, radiators and windows. We recommend allowing the instrument to acclimatise before tuning.
Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals
Every piano move is slightly different, so we price each job individually rather than offering a one-size-fits-all rate. Factors influencing cost include:
- Type and size of piano (upright vs grand).
- Distance between addresses.
- Access complexity (stairs, tight corners, no lift).
- Parking restrictions and waiting times.
- Any additional equipment or extra crew required.
You’ll always receive a clear, itemised quotation before booking. We do not add surprise charges on the day; if circumstances change, we discuss options with you first.
Why Choose Professional Piano Removals Over DIY
Pianos are heavy, awkward and delicate. Attempting a DIY move or using a casual man-and-van can lead to:
- Damage to the piano’s frame, soundboard or action.
- Injury to untrained helpers.
- Damage to floors, stairs and walls.
- Invalidated insurance for your instrument or property.
By contrast, Brompton Movers provides specialist equipment, trained staff and appropriate insurance cover. The difference in cost is often far less than the price of repairing a damaged instrument or property.
Insurance and Professional Standards
As a specialist removals company, we maintain robust protections for your peace of mind:
- Goods in transit insurance covering your piano while it is in our care and on our vehicles.
- Public liability cover in case of accidental damage to third-party property.
- Trained moving teams experienced in piano handling, dismantling and reassembly.
We work to professional standards of risk assessment, manual handling and load security, and we are happy to provide copies of our insurance details on request.
Care, Protection and Sustainability
Our approach is built around care for your instrument, your property and the wider environment:
- High-quality, reusable quilted covers and padded protection rather than excessive single-use plastics.
- Thoughtful route planning to minimise unnecessary mileage and emissions.
- Regularly maintained vehicles to improve efficiency and reliability.
- Careful handling practices to extend the life of your instrument and reduce wasteful damage.
Where we do use disposable materials, we aim to recycle or reuse wherever possible.
Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases
Moving House
For households, we can move your piano as part of a full house removal or as a standalone service. We coordinate timings with your main move so the instrument is loaded and unloaded safely without getting in the way of other furniture.
Office, School and Studio Relocations
For businesses, schools and studios, we work around your schedule to minimise disruption. Early morning, evening or weekend moves can be arranged by prior agreement, helping you keep lessons, rehearsals and performances running smoothly.
Urgent or Short-Notice Piano Moves
Sometimes pianos need to be moved quickly – for example, last-minute venue changes, urgent property sales or unplanned works. Where our schedule allows, we can offer same-day or next-day moves. Contact us as early as possible and we’ll explain what’s realistically achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a piano removal cost?
The cost of a piano removal depends on the type and size of your piano, the distance between addresses and how straightforward the access is at each property. Upright pianos on ground-floor to ground-floor moves are usually the most economical, while grands on higher floors or with difficult staircases are more complex. Once we know the details, we’ll provide a fixed, written quotation so you know exactly what you’ll pay before you book, with no hidden extras added on the day.
Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?
We can often help with same-day or short-notice piano moves, depending on our existing schedule and the complexity of the job. Simple ground-floor moves nearby are the easiest to accommodate at short notice. More complex relocations, especially for grand pianos or those involving restricted access, may require more planning. If you’re working to a tight deadline, contact us as early as you can and we’ll give you an honest assessment of what’s possible and any cost implications for urgent work.
Is my piano insured while you move it?
Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care and travelling on our vehicles. We also hold public liability cover for accidental damage to third-party property. During your quotation, we’ll outline the key terms, including any limits or conditions that may apply to high-value instruments. We always recommend that you also inform your own insurer about the move, particularly for rare or especially valuable pianos, so that all parties are fully aligned.
What’s included in your piano removals service?
Our service typically includes provision of the appropriate vehicle, trained crew and specialist moving equipment, plus padded covers and blankets to protect the instrument and your property. We handle any necessary dismantling of grand pianos, safe loading, secure transport and careful placement at the new location. We’ll also protect floors and key access points where needed. Our quotation will clearly set out what is and isn’t included, for example parking costs, additional access equipment or storage, so you have a complete picture in advance.
What’s the difference between your service and a man-and-van?
A general man-and-van service usually lacks specialist piano knowledge, equipment and appropriate insurance. That can increase the risk of damage to the instrument, your property or the people moving it. Brompton Movers provides dedicated piano moving gear, experienced crews and relevant insurance cover, along with detailed planning for access, parking and handling. While we may not always be the cheapest option, the level of protection, professionalism and reliability we offer is designed to safeguard both your piano and your peace of mind.
How far in advance should I book a piano removal?
Ideally, book your piano removal one to two weeks in advance, especially if you need a specific date or time slot, or if the move involves a grand piano or difficult access. This gives us time to survey the properties, plan routes and allocate the right team. That said, we do keep some flexibility for shorter-notice moves, particularly midweek. If your timescales are tight, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll let you know what options are available and how we can best accommodate you.