Piano Removals
Piano Removals by Bow Movers
Moving a piano is not like moving ordinary furniture. At Bow Movers, we provide a dedicated piano removals service designed to protect your instrument, your property, and everyone involved in the move. With years of hands-on experience handling upright, grand and baby grand pianos, we know exactly what is required to move these heavy, delicate items safely and efficiently.
Specialist Piano Removals You Can Trust
A piano is a complex, finely tuned instrument that can be easily damaged if moved incorrectly. Our teams use specialist equipment, protective materials and proven methods to ensure your piano is handled with care from start to finish. Every move is planned in detail, taking into account access routes, stairs, tight corners and any restrictions at both collection and delivery addresses.
Bow Movers is a professional, fully insured removals company. Our staff are trained in correct lifting techniques and piano-specific procedures, helping to prevent damage to the instrument and avoid injury.
Local Piano Removal Expertise
We provide piano removals throughout {area} and the surrounding regions. Our local knowledge means we understand parking restrictions, access limitations, building layouts and typical property types in the area. This allows us to plan routes, arrange permits where needed and ensure that the move runs smoothly and on time.
Whether you are moving a piano within the same building, across town, or to a new area altogether, we bring our local experience and professional standards to every job.
Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For
Our piano moving service is suitable for:
- Homeowners – Moving house, renovating, or repositioning a piano within the home.
- Renters – Relocating to a new property, with careful handling to avoid any damage to rented accommodation.
- Landlords – Removing or installing pianos in rental properties or furnished lets.
- Businesses – Offices, studios, theatres, hotels and schools needing reliable piano transport.
- Students – Conservatoire or university students moving pianos between home, halls and practice spaces.
We regularly work with music teachers, venues, rehearsal rooms and churches who rely on us for safe, punctual piano moves.
What’s Included in Our Piano Removals Service
Items and Services Included
- Upright pianos – Standard and larger upright models.
- Baby grand pianos – Dismantling (legs, pedals) where necessary for safe transport.
- Grand pianos – By prior arrangement, with full assessment and specialist equipment.
- Digital pianos & keyboards – Including stands and benches.
- Protective wrapping of the piano body, keys and vulnerable areas.
- Use of piano trolleys, skates, straps and ramps as required.
- Loading, transport and positioning of the piano at the new location.
Items and Services Typically Excluded
- Internal tuning or repairs (we can recommend local tuners if needed).
- Removal of windows, doors or structural alterations (can be coordinated with third parties).
- Moving other household contents unless booked as part of a wider house removals service.
- Long-term storage, unless arranged in advance as part of a combined removal and storage package.
If you are unsure whether your item is covered, we are happy to advise during the quotation stage.
Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process
1. Enquiry & Quote
You contact us with details of your piano, current address and destination. We ask about access (stairs, lifts, steps, narrow corridors) and any time constraints. Based on this information, we provide a clear, no-obligation quotation outlining what is included, any special requirements and estimated timescales.
2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite
For straightforward upright moves, a virtual survey using photos or video is often sufficient. For larger or more complex pianos, or properties with difficult access, we recommend an onsite survey. This allows us to measure clearances, plan the route and identify any issues in advance, reducing the risk of delays or complications on the day.
3. Packing & Preparation
On the day, our team arrive on time, introduce themselves and walk through the plan with you. We carefully wrap the piano using blankets, padding and protective covers to safeguard the finish. For grands and baby grands, we may remove legs and pedals and secure the lid. Floors, bannisters and door frames are protected where needed to prevent scuffs or damage.
4. Loading & Transport
The piano is transferred onto a specialist trolley or skid and moved steadily along the agreed route. We use correct lifting techniques, straps and team coordination to keep the move controlled at all times. The piano is then secured inside our vehicle using appropriate fixings. Our vehicles are maintained to a high standard and our goods in transit insurance provides added reassurance throughout the journey.
5. Unloading & Placement
At the destination, we repeat the same careful process in reverse. The piano is unloaded, moved into the property and positioned exactly where you want it. Any removable parts are reattached and final checks are carried out. We recommend allowing the piano to settle for a period before tuning, especially after longer-distance moves.
Transparent Piano Removal Pricing
We believe in clear, straightforward pricing with no hidden extras. Our piano removal quotes are based on:
- Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand).
- Distance between properties.
- Access at each address (stairs, steps, limited access, parking).
- Additional services required (e.g. temporary storage, multiple stops).
Once we have all the necessary details, we provide a fixed price wherever possible. Any potential additional charges (for unexpected access issues, for example) are explained clearly in advance, so you know exactly what to expect.
Why Choose Professional Piano Removals Over DIY or Man-and-Van
A piano can weigh anywhere from 150kg to over 400kg. Attempting to move one without proper training, equipment and planning can lead to serious injury, damage to the instrument, and harm to your property. A casual man-and-van service may not have the experience or insurance required to handle pianos safely.
By using a professional removals company like Bow Movers, you benefit from:
- Trained staff who understand piano handling.
- Specialist equipment designed for heavy, delicate items.
- Goods in transit insurance and public liability cover.
- Structured planning and risk assessment.
- Reliable vehicles and punctual service.
This not only protects your piano but often proves more cost-effective than dealing with potential damage or injury after a DIY attempt.
Insurance and Professional Standards
Bow Movers operates to high professional standards on every job. We hold comprehensive goods in transit insurance, covering your piano while it is in our care, and public liability insurance for work at your property and public areas. Our teams are trained in manual handling, health and safety, and piano-specific moving techniques.
We carry out regular vehicle checks, equipment inspections and staff training to ensure our service remains consistent, safe and reliable.
Care, Protection and Sustainability
Protecting your piano and property is our priority. We use high-quality, reusable blankets, covers and straps, rather than excessive single-use plastics, wherever possible. Floors, corners and doorways are protected before moving begins. Our methodical approach minimises the risk of impact, scratching or strain to the piano.
We plan routes to reduce unnecessary mileage and aim to consolidate journeys where appropriate, helping to lower our environmental impact while still delivering a punctual, dependable service.
Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases
- Moving house – Coordinated as part of a full household move, or as a dedicated piano-only service, timed to fit your schedule.
- Office or commercial relocation – Safely relocating pianos in offices, hotels, schools, studios and performance spaces, often outside normal working hours.
- Venue to venue moves – Transporting pianos between rehearsal rooms, concert venues or recording studios, with tight timeframes and careful scheduling.
- Urgent moves – Where possible, we accommodate short-notice or same-day piano removals, subject to availability and access checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a piano removal cost?
The cost of a piano removal depends on several factors: the type and size of the piano, the distance between properties, and the access at each address. Upright pianos with straightforward ground-floor access are usually cheaper than grands or moves involving stairs and tight corners. Once we have the key details, we provide a clear, itemised quotation with a fixed price wherever possible. This way you know exactly what you will pay before you commit, with no hidden extras on the day.
Can you handle same-day or urgent piano removals?
We can often accommodate same-day or short-notice piano removals, depending on existing bookings and the complexity of the move. The more information you can provide when you enquire, the easier it is for us to assess whether an urgent booking is practical and safe. For very heavy or awkward-access pianos, we may still need a brief survey, even for urgent work. Contact us as early as you can, and we will always be honest about what is realistically achievable.
Is my piano insured during the move?
Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care, from the moment we start handling it until it is placed in its new position. We also hold public liability insurance for work at both addresses and in any shared or public areas. Full details of our cover are available on request, and we are happy to confirm limits and conditions in writing as part of your quotation, so you have complete peace of mind.
What is included in your piano removals service?
Our standard piano removals service includes the arrival of a trained team, protection of the piano with blankets and covers, safeguarding of key areas in your property, safe loading using specialist equipment, secure transport, and careful positioning at the new location. For grands and baby grands, we also undertake basic dismantling and reassembly, such as removing and refitting legs where required. Tuning and internal repairs are not included, but we can suggest local professionals to help after the move.
Why use a specialist remover instead of a basic man-and-van?
A basic man-and-van service may be suitable for boxes and light furniture but often lacks the training, equipment and insurance needed for pianos. An inexperienced approach can result in damage to the instrument, property and even personal injury. As a professional removals company, we use appropriate trolleys, ramps, straps and protective materials, along with proven methods developed through regular piano work. This reduces risk significantly and usually works out better value when you consider the potential cost of repairs or replacement.
How far in advance should I book a piano removal?
Where possible, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially during busy periods such as month-end or school holidays. This gives us time to arrange any necessary surveys, plan access and allocate the right team and equipment. However, we understand that moves are not always predictable and we will always do our best to help with shorter notice. Even if your date is not fixed yet, getting in touch early allows us to advise and pencil in provisional arrangements.