Piano Removals

Piano Removals in Putney by Experienced Specialists

Moving a piano safely is a specialist job. At Putney Man and Van, we provide dedicated piano removals across Putney and the surrounding areas, using trained teams, the right equipment and carefully planned access routes to protect both your instrument and your property.

Specialist Piano Removals Service Explained

Pianos are heavy, delicate and often highly valuable – both financially and emotionally. Our piano removals service is designed specifically around these challenges. We use piano skates, protective covers, stair climbers (where suitable) and secure tie-down systems in our vehicles to ensure your piano is moved safely from A to B.

Every move is assessed in advance so we can plan access, number of movers and any specialist equipment required. We never treat a piano like standard furniture. It is handled as a one-off, high-value item with the level of care it deserves.

Local Piano Removal Experts in Putney

Working daily in Putney means we know the area, property types and access issues extremely well. From mansion blocks near the river to terrace houses off the Upper Richmond Road, we understand tight staircases, narrow doorways, residents’ parking and timed loading bays.

This local knowledge allows us to plan efficient routes, organise parking in advance and minimise disruption to neighbours and other building users. For flats and managed buildings, we liaise with concierges and building managers where needed to comply with any rules or lift reservations.

Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For

Our specialist piano removals are suitable for:

• Homeowners moving house within Putney or across London, or gifting a piano to family.
• Renters changing flats where stairs, lifts and access times need careful planning.
• Landlords needing a piano removed or relocated between tenancies.
• Businesses such as schools, churches, rehearsal studios, event venues and theatres.
• Students studying music who need a piano moved to or from halls or shared houses.

Whether you are moving one piano across the road or relocating it across London as part of a full house move, we tailor the service to your situation.

What We Can and Cannot Move

Items Included in Our Piano Removals

We regularly move:

• Upright pianos (including overstrung and tall uprights)
• Digital pianos and electric stage pianos
• Baby grand pianos
• Grand pianos (subject to access and pre-survey)
• Piano stools and benches
• Associated accessories such as music stands and small amplifiers

Items Excluded or By Prior Agreement

For safety, some items are excluded or require separate arrangements:

• Pianos with severe structural damage that are unsafe to move
• Instruments requiring crane lifts without prior planning
• Long-distance or international piano shipping (can be organised with partners on request)
• Disposal of pianos at waste sites without the correct prior authorisation

We do not offer tuning or restoration, but we are happy to schedule removals at times that suit your chosen piano tuner.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removal Process

1. Enquiry & Quotation

You contact us with the basic details: type of piano, collection and delivery addresses, floor levels, access notes and preferred dates. We ask targeted questions, and where possible request photos or short videos of access routes. Using this information, we provide a clear, no-obligation quotation with any potential additional costs explained upfront.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

For more complex jobs – such as grand pianos, multi-storey staircases or limited access – we arrange a virtual survey via video call or an onsite visit. This allows us to confirm measurements, check turning spaces and identify any obstacles. Our goal is to remove guesswork so there are no surprises on move day.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the day, our trained team arrives with all necessary protection and equipment. For uprights, we wrap the piano in padded covers and secure any moving parts. For grands and baby grands, we carefully remove legs and pedals as required, protecting each part individually. Floors, bannisters and door frames are protected where needed to prevent scuffs and damage.

4. Loading & Transport

Using piano skates, dollies and team lifting techniques, we move the piano along the planned route, managing steps, ramps and tight turns slowly and steadily. The instrument is then loaded into our fully equipped vehicles and secured using straps and bracing. Our goods in transit insurance is in place throughout the journey for your peace of mind.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process just as carefully. The piano is brought into the property, placed into its new position and any removed parts (such as legs or pedals) are reattached and checked. We can reposition slightly within the room at your request, as long as it remains safe to do so.

Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals

Piano removal costs depend on several factors, including:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
• Number of floors and presence of lifts
• Access restrictions (tight staircases, steps, long carry distances)
• Distance between addresses
• Whether the move is standalone or part of a larger removal

We price on a job-by-job basis rather than a flat hourly rate so you know exactly what is covered. Your quotation will clearly set out what is included, any surcharges (for example for multiple flights of stairs) and optional services. There are no hidden extras added on the day, provided the information supplied at booking is accurate.

Why Use Professional Piano Movers Instead of DIY

Attempting to move a piano yourself, or using a casual man-and-van with no specialist experience, can lead to serious injury and costly damage. Pianos are extremely heavy, with their weight concentrated in awkward places. Without correct equipment and techniques, it is easy to damage the instrument, floors, walls and staircases – or worse, cause injury.

Our professional teams are specifically trained in piano handling and come equipped with the right tools. We plan the move in detail, manage the risks properly and are fully insured. In most cases, using professionals works out cheaper than paying for repairs or replacement after a failed DIY attempt.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Putney Man and Van operates to high professional standards on every job. We maintain:

• Goods in transit insurance to protect your piano while it is being moved and transported.
• Public liability cover to protect against accidental damage to property or third parties.
• Trained moving teams who understand piano structure, balance and safe manual handling.

We provide clear paperwork, turn up at the agreed time, and communicate with you before, during and after the move. Our reputation locally in Putney is built on reliability, care and consistent service.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

We treat every piano as if it were our own. That means careful wrapping, methodical lifting and a steady pace rather than rushing. We use heavy-duty blankets, reusable padded covers and straps rather than excessive single-use materials, which helps reduce waste.

Where possible, we plan routes to minimise driving time and fuel use. Our teams consolidate nearby jobs when practical to cut unnecessary mileage. While piano moves inevitably require vehicles and equipment, we do what we can to complete the work in a more sustainable, responsible way.

Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases

Moving House

If you are relocating within Putney or across London, we can move your piano as part of your wider house move or as a separate, dedicated job. Coordinating the piano with your other belongings avoids last-minute stress and ensures the instrument is ready in your new home as soon as you are.

Office, School or Venue Relocations

We assist schools, rehearsal spaces, churches and venues when they move or refurbish. This often involves tight schedules and coordination with other trades. We work around your timetable, including early mornings, evenings or weekends where arranged in advance.

Urgent and Short-Notice Moves

Sometimes a piano needs to be moved quickly – for example, following a property sale, end of tenancy or unexpected access issue. Subject to availability, we can provide same-day or next-day support. We will always be honest about what is realistically possible so you can make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

Costs vary depending on the type of piano, number of floors, access complexity and distance between addresses. Upright pianos on ground-to-ground moves are usually the most straightforward and therefore more affordable. Grand and baby grand pianos, multiple flights of stairs or particularly tight access will increase the price because they require larger teams, more time and specialist equipment. We provide a clear, itemised quotation once we have the key details and, where needed, photos or a short video of access. There are no hidden charges added on the day.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

We can often help with same-day or short-notice piano removals in Putney, especially outside peak house-moving dates. Availability depends on our schedule, the complexity of the move and whether a survey is required first. Upright pianos with straightforward access are usually easier to book at short notice than grands on upper floors. If you need an urgent move, contact us as early as possible, provide clear details and photos, and we will confirm what can realistically be achieved and any premium for out-of-hours 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 we hold public liability cover for accidental damage to third-party property. Insurance is designed for unforeseen issues; it does not replace proper handling, so our focus is always on preventing incidents in the first place through planning, training and suitable equipment. We are happy to share policy details on request so you can check any limits or exclusions, and we recommend informing your own home or business insurer about the move.

What exactly is included in your piano removals service?

Our standard service includes the provision of a trained crew, protective materials, specialist moving equipment, loading, secure transport and careful placement of the piano in its new position. Where necessary, we dismantle and reassemble grand or baby grand pianos, such as removing legs and pedals, and we protect surrounding areas like bannisters and door frames. The quote also covers basic planning and, if agreed, a virtual or onsite survey. Tuning, restoration, storage and crane lifts are not included as standard but can often be arranged separately or with trusted partners.

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

A casual man-and-van service typically focuses on general furniture and boxes, often without specific training or equipment for pianos. We specialise in heavy, delicate items and use dedicated piano skates, padded covers and multi-person lifting methods, along with fully insured vehicles. Our team understands piano balance points, safe routes and how to manage stairs and corners without causing damage. The planning, protection and insurance we provide mean a far lower risk of injury or harm to your instrument, your property and the people involved in the move.

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 if you are moving at month-end, during school holidays or on a weekend. Complex moves involving grands, upper floors or restricted access benefit from extra notice so we can arrange a survey and allocate the right number of movers. That said, we regularly accommodate short-notice requests when our schedule allows. The earlier you contact us, the more options we can offer and the easier it is to coordinate with tuners or other contractors.