Piano Removals

Piano Removals by Kennington Removals

At Kennington Removals we provide specialist piano removals carried out by experienced, trained and fully insured movers. Moving a piano safely is very different from moving standard furniture – it requires the right equipment, techniques and planning. We handle everything from small uprights to large grand pianos, ensuring your instrument and property are properly protected from start to finish.

Specialist Piano Removals Explained

A piano is heavy, delicate and awkwardly shaped. The weight is unevenly distributed and the internal mechanism can be affected by shocks, tilting and poor handling. Our piano removals service is designed specifically around these risks.

We use piano skates, padding, straps, covers, ramps and, where required, additional lifting equipment. Floors, stairs and doorways are protected and we plan the route before a single strap is tightened. Your piano is then secured in a purpose-equipped vehicle with proper load restraint to prevent movement during transport.

Local Expertise You Can Rely On

Because we work locally every day, we understand typical property layouts, tight staircases, terrace entrances and parking restrictions. That local knowledge allows us to plan realistically – arranging access, permits where needed and the right size crew and vehicle for your specific move.

Whether you are moving a piano between rooms, between properties or into storage, we combine local experience with professional standards to keep the move efficient and safe.

Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For

Our specialist piano removals are suitable for:

• Homeowners moving house or rearranging rooms
• Renters who need careful handling to avoid damage to a landlord’s property
• Landlords relocating pianos between properties or into storage
• Businesses such as schools, music studios, churches, hotels and event venues
• Students at music colleges or universities moving term-time or between accommodation

Whether the piano is a valuable family heirloom or a working instrument used daily, we treat it with the same level of care and respect.

What We Can and Cannot Move

Items Included in Our Piano Removals

Typical items we move as part of a piano removal job include:

• Upright pianos (all sizes, including compact and full-height)
• Baby grand pianos
• Grand pianos (subject to access checks)
• Digital pianos and electric stage pianos
• Piano stools and benches
• Associated items such as music stands and small boxes of music books (when moved with the piano)

Items Excluded or By Special Arrangement

For safety and insurance reasons, the following are normally excluded or must be agreed in advance:

• Pianos requiring crane lifts through windows or over balconies (possible by prior arrangement with specialist equipment)
• Instruments with pre-existing structural damage that make them unsafe to move
• Non-standard oversized items unrelated to the piano, unless included in a wider removals booking
• Disposal or scrapping of pianos without prior assessment

If you are unsure whether your instrument or situation is covered, we are happy to advise before you commit to a booking.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

You contact us with basic details: piano type, current and destination addresses, property access and any stairs involved. We then provide a clear, no-obligation quote outlining what is included. Where possible, we give a fixed price so you know exactly what to expect.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

For most piano moves we arrange a quick survey. This can be done via video call or photographs, and for more complex access we may attend in person. We confirm dimensions, staircases, tight corners, lifts and parking so that we can plan the safest method and equipment required.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the day, our trained team protects the piano and your home. We will:

• Cover the piano with thick padded blankets and/or a specialist piano cover
• Protect floors, bannisters and door frames where needed
• Remove detachable parts (such as music stands or legs on some grands) as appropriate
• Secure lids and moving parts to prevent damage

4. Loading & Transport

We use piano skates, straps and team lifting techniques to move the instrument safely to our vehicle. The piano is then loaded via ramp or tail-lift and secured firmly using professional load restraints. Transport is carried out in a purpose-equipped removals vehicle, with your piano kept stable and protected for the entire journey.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination we reverse the process carefully. We place the piano in your chosen room and position, subject to access, and remove all our protective materials. We recommend allowing the piano to settle and re-tune after a move, especially over longer distances, and we can recommend local tuners if required.

Piano Removals Pricing – How It Works

Every piano move is different, so we price based on the type of piano, the distance, access and any special requirements. Our approach is transparent and straightforward:

• We provide a clear written quote before you book
• No hidden fees for stairs or difficult access if declared in advance
• Additional services (such as combining with a full house move) are itemised

Smaller upright pianos over short distances are typically the most economical, while large grand pianos, long distances or complex access (tight staircases, awkward turns, limited parking) will cost more due to labour and time. We are always happy to talk through options that suit your budget.

Why Use Professional Piano Movers Instead of DIY

Attempting to move a piano with friends or a casual man-and-van service can be risky. Pianos are deceptively heavy and can easily cause injury or damage to property if handled incorrectly. Common issues include damaged staircases, dropped instruments, back injuries and instruments going out of alignment.

By using a professional piano removals company you benefit from:

• Correct lifting techniques and sufficient manpower
• Specialist equipment designed for pianos
• Protection for the instrument and the building
• Structured planning rather than improvisation on the day
• Appropriate insurance backing up the work

This gives you peace of mind and often proves more cost-effective than dealing with damage or injury after a DIY attempt.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Your piano is valuable – financially and often emotionally. We recognise that and back our work with proper cover and standards.

• Goods in transit insurance – protecting your piano while it is being transported in our vehicles.
• Public liability cover – protecting against accidental damage to property during the move.
• Trained moving teams – our staff are experienced in handling heavy and delicate items, including pianos, not casual labour picked up on the day.

We follow established industry practices for wrapping, lifting and securing loads, and we continuously review our methods to maintain safety and reliability.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

Our focus is on careful handling from start to finish. We use padded blankets, reusable covers and floor protectors to safeguard both your instrument and your property. Handling plans are discussed among the team before the lift begins so everyone knows their role.

Where possible we choose reusable materials and maintain our vehicles to run efficiently, helping to reduce unnecessary waste and emissions. When packaging is needed, we favour recyclable options and avoid single-use plastics where practical.

Real-World Use Cases

Moving House with a Piano

Many customers combine piano removals with a full house move. We coordinate timings so your piano is loaded and unloaded in a controlled way, rather than being squeezed in at the end of a busy day. This reduces risk and keeps the process calm and organised.

Office, School and Venue Relocations

We regularly move pianos for schools, churches, music studios, hotels and event venues. Moves are scheduled to avoid disruption, and we work with your staff to plan access, security and any Health & Safety requirements on site.

Urgent and Short-Notice Piano Moves

Sometimes moves need to happen quickly – for example, last-minute venue changes, end-of-tenancy dates, or short-notice property completions. Subject to availability, we can provide urgent or next-day piano removals, ensuring the same level of care even when time is tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost depends mainly on the type of piano, access at each property and the distance travelled. Upright pianos over short distances with straightforward access are usually at the lower end of the price range. Grand pianos, multiple flights of stairs, tight corners or parking restrictions will increase the cost due to additional labour and time. We provide a clear, tailored quote once we know your details, and wherever possible we offer a fixed price so you can budget with confidence.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

Same-day or urgent piano removals are sometimes possible, depending on existing bookings, staff availability and the complexity of your move. Simple upright moves with easy access are more likely to be accommodated at short notice than complex grand piano jobs. If you need an urgent move, contact us by phone so we can quickly assess access, distance and timings. Even on short-notice work we maintain our usual safety and protection standards and will only accept the job if we can carry it out properly.

Is my piano insured during the move?

Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is being transported in our vehicles and by our public liability cover while we are handling it at either property. This insurance is designed for professional removals and sits alongside our careful working practices. We are happy to explain the cover limits and any exclusions before you book. For very high-value instruments, we may recommend that you also inform your own insurer, but in most cases our standard cover is sufficient and appropriate.

What is included in your piano removals service?

Our standard piano removals service includes the provision of a trained crew, specialist handling equipment, protective blankets and covers, loading and unloading, and safe transport between the agreed addresses. We protect floors and key areas of the property where required and place the piano in your chosen room, subject to access. Basic movement of small associated items, such as a piano stool, is generally included. Tuning, long-term storage, crane lifts and disposal are not part of the standard service but can sometimes be arranged or recommended separately.

What is the difference between your service and a man-and-van?

A casual man-and-van service typically focuses on general transport and may not have the specific training, equipment or insurance needed for piano removals. We provide a dedicated, professional service using staff who regularly move heavy, delicate items and understand the risks involved. We survey access in advance, use the right lifting gear, protect your property and instrument, and back everything up with appropriate insurance. While a man-and-van might appear cheaper initially, the potential cost of damage or injury can be far higher than using a specialist piano mover.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

For the best choice of dates and times, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially during busy periods such as the end of the month or school holidays. However, we understand that moves do not always come with much notice, and we will always try to accommodate shorter lead times where our schedule allows. The earlier you contact us, the easier it is to plan access, parking and crew requirements, and to coordinate your piano move with any wider house or office relocation.