Piano Removals London by Dulwich Removals

Moving a piano safely requires specialist skills, equipment and experience. At Dulwich Removals, we provide dedicated piano removals across London, handling everything from compact uprights to full concert grands with care and precision.

Specialist Piano Removal Services in London

Our team has years of hands-on experience moving pianos in and out of London homes, schools, studios and performance venues. We understand the unique challenges of staircases, tight hallways, period properties and busy city streets, and we plan every move carefully to protect both your piano and your property.

All work is carried out by our own trained, in-house crew using purpose-built equipment, including piano trolleys, skid boards, protective covers, ramps and securing systems.

Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For

Our specialist piano moving service is suitable for:

• Homeowners moving house or rearranging rooms
• Renters relocating between flats or houses
• Landlords managing furnished properties with pianos
• Businesses such as schools, theatres, hotels and music studios
• Students at music colleges and universities moving term to term

Whether you are moving a cherished family piano, a teaching instrument or a performance-grade grand, we offer a calm, organised and professional service from first call to final placement.

What Our Piano Removals Service Includes

Items We Can Move

We are able to move most types of acoustic and digital pianos, including:

• Upright pianos (standard, studio and tall uprights)
• Baby grand pianos
• Grand pianos and concert grands (subject to access)
• Digital pianos and stage pianos
• Organ consoles and similar keyboard instruments (by agreement)

We also transport associated items such as piano stools, music stands and small accessories as part of the move.

Items We Cannot Move as Part of Piano Only Service

For safety and insurance reasons, our piano-only service does not include:

• Other household contents, unless pre-arranged as a full removals service
• Loose ornaments or items placed on or inside the piano (these must be removed in advance)
• Extremely fragile or damaged pianos where structure is unsafe
• Pianos requiring dismantling beyond standard removal of legs, lids and lyre

If you need your entire property moved as well as the piano, we can combine our house removals and piano removals into a single, coordinated service.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

Contact our office with details of your piano, current address and destination. We will ask about stairs, lifts, access, parking and any time constraints. Using this information, we provide a clear, no-obligation quote tailored to your move.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

For straightforward moves, we usually complete a virtual survey using photos or video. For more complex properties or large grands, we may visit in person. The survey allows us to confirm access, assess any tight turns, steps or level changes and choose the correct team size and equipment.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the day, our team will:

• Protect floors and key access points as required
• Carefully cover the piano with padded blankets and wrapping
• For grands, remove legs, pedals and lyre as appropriate
• Secure lids and moving parts to prevent damage

We work methodically and quietly, minimising disruption to your household or business.

4. Loading & Transport

The protected piano is placed onto specialist dollies or a piano skid board, then carefully manoeuvred to our vehicle. We use ramps and lifting techniques designed specifically for heavy, delicate items. In the lorry, the piano is securely strapped and blocked to prevent movement throughout the journey.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process just as carefully. We position the piano exactly where you want it within the room, subject to access and floor loading. For grands, we reassemble legs and pedals and carry out final checks before removing protective covers.

Transparent Piano Removal Pricing

We price piano removals individually based on:

• Type and size of piano
• Number of stairs or steps at each address
• Access constraints (tight corners, narrow doors, long carries)
• Distance between properties
• Any additional services required (e.g. storage, combined house move)

You will receive a clear written quotation detailing what is included, with no hidden extras. Parking charges or special access equipment, if needed, will be discussed in advance. We can offer fixed-price moves for most piano jobs so you know exactly where you stand.

Why Use Professional Piano Movers Instead of DIY or Man-and-Van

Pianos are extremely heavy, mechanically complex and vulnerable to shock and moisture. Attempting to move one with friends or a casual man-and-van can result in injury, damaged staircases, and costly harm to the instrument itself.

By choosing a professional removals company:

• You benefit from trained staff who move pianos regularly
• You are protected by proper insurance cover
• You have the right equipment for safe lifting, carrying and transport
• You minimise the risk of damage to walls, floors and bannisters

The cost of a professional piano move is usually far less than the cost of repairing damage or replacing a broken instrument.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Dulwich Removals operates to strict professional standards for all piano moves. We provide:

• Goods in transit insurance for your piano while it is in our care
• Public liability cover to protect your property and third parties
• Trained moving teams experienced in handling high-value items

We can confirm specific insurance limits and terms when quoting, and provide documentation on request. Our crew members are uniformed, courteous and used to working in homes, schools and professional venues.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

Protecting your piano and property is our first priority. We use thick padded covers, floor protection where necessary and secure strapping systems to prevent movement. Our vehicles are well maintained and fitted out specifically for removals work.

We also consider our environmental impact. We route journeys efficiently, maintain vehicles for fuel efficiency, and reuse durable protective materials to reduce waste. Where packing materials are required, we aim to choose recyclable or reusable options wherever practical.

Real-World Piano Removal Scenarios

Moving House with a Piano

If you are relocating within London or further afield, we can integrate your piano move into a full household removal. Our team will plan the sequence so the piano is handled safely alongside your other belongings.

Office, School and Venue Relocations

For businesses and institutions, we regularly move pianos between rehearsal rooms, halls and performance spaces. We can work outside normal hours to minimise disruption, and coordinate with facilities teams and caretakers as needed.

Urgent or Short-Notice Moves

Where schedules allow, we can assist with short-notice or urgent piano relocations, for example when completing a property sale or responding to building works. Let us know your timescales and we will advise what is realistically achievable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost of a piano removal depends on the type of piano, access at each address and the distance travelled. Uprights on the ground floor with straightforward access are usually at the lower end of our pricing, while grands, multiple flights of stairs or awkward access increase the cost. Once we know the details, we provide a fixed quotation so there are no surprises. Contact us with photographs and addresses and we will give you a clear price before you decide.

Can you move my piano at short notice or on the same day?

Same-day or very short-notice piano moves are sometimes possible, depending on existing bookings and staff availability. Because piano removals require specialist equipment and planning, it is always best to contact us as early as you can. If we cannot meet your preferred time, we will offer the nearest available slot and discuss any temporary options, such as short-term storage, to help you manage key dates or completion times.

Is my piano insured while you move it?

Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is being handled and transported by us, subject to policy terms and declared values. We also carry public liability cover for accidental damage to property. We will explain relevant limits when we quote, and documentation is available on request. While no insurance can replace sentimental value, having proper cover in place provides important financial protection and peace of mind.

What exactly is included in your piano removal service?

Our piano removal service includes planning, protective wrapping, safe lifting and manoeuvring, secure loading, transport and final placement in the new location. For grand pianos, standard removal and refitting of legs and pedal lyre are included where required. We also move the matching stool and small accessories if needed. Tuning and technical repairs are not included, and we recommend arranging tuning a week or two after the move once the piano has settled in its new environment.

How is a professional piano removal different from a man-and-van?

A professional piano removal is carried out by trained staff using the correct lifting techniques, specialist moving gear and fully equipped vehicles. We hold appropriate insurance and have experience with staircases, tight access and valuable instruments. A general man-and-van service may not have the skills, equipment or cover necessary for such a heavy and delicate item. Choosing a specialist greatly reduces the risk of injury, property damage and costly harm to your piano.

How far in advance should I book my piano move?

For the best choice of dates, especially at weekends and month-end, we recommend booking 1–2 weeks in advance. During very busy periods, more notice is helpful, particularly for complex moves involving grands or multiple flights of stairs. That said, we will always try to accommodate shorter notice where schedules allow. Once you know your key dates, get in touch and we will hold a provisional slot while we complete the survey and quotation.