Piano Removals

Piano Removals in Putney by Putney Man and Van

Moving a piano is nothing like moving standard furniture. The weight, delicate inner mechanics and high value mean it needs specialist handling from experienced movers. At Putney Man and Van, we provide dedicated piano removals in Putney and across London, using the right equipment, vehicles and techniques to move your instrument safely and efficiently.

Specialist Piano Removals Service

Our piano removals service is designed specifically around the needs of upright and grand pianos. We understand the combination of weight, awkward shape and fragile internal parts. Every move is carefully planned, with the correct team size, equipment and vehicle selected before we arrive.

We regularly move:

• Upright pianos (including tall uprights and compact models)
• Baby grand and grand pianos
• Digital pianos and stage pianos
• Pianos from homes, schools, churches, studios and performance venues

All piano removals are carried out by trained, professional movers who are familiar with stairwork, tight access, listed buildings and modern apartments.

Local Piano Removals Expertise in Putney

Based in Putney, we know the local area, traffic patterns and building types extremely well. From mansion blocks along the river to terraced streets and modern high-rise developments, we understand the challenges each type of property presents for piano removals.

Our local knowledge means we can:

• Plan parking and access in busy Putney streets
• Work efficiently in properties with limited lift access
• Coordinate moves around school hours, building rules and delivery slots
• Offer sensible timing for cross-river and central London deliveries

Whether you are moving your piano within Putney, across London or further afield, we provide a reliable, locally-based service with a single point of contact from start to finish.

Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For

Our specialist piano removals are suitable for:

Homeowners

Moving house, downsizing, or bringing a piano into a new property? We protect your instrument and your home, using floor protection, blankets and custom equipment to avoid damage to stairs, walls and doorways.

Renters

If you are moving between rented flats or houses, we help you avoid damage that could risk your deposit. We work carefully around tight staircases and shared areas, and cooperate with building management where needed.

Landlords

We assist landlords who need a piano removed or relocated between properties. Our team can work to specific time slots and provide documentation of condition and movement if required.

Businesses and Organisations

We support schools, music studios, churches, performance venues and offices with professional piano moves, whether it is a permanent relocation or a temporary move for refurbishment or events.

Students

Music students and their families often need smaller upright or digital pianos moved between term-time accommodation and home. We offer cost-effective, carefully planned moves with clear communication.

What’s Included in Our Piano Removals

Our piano removals service typically includes:

• Initial advice and guidance before booking
• Pre-move survey (virtual or onsite, depending on complexity)
• Provision of suitable moving team and specialist equipment
• Protection of floors, doorways and bannisters where required
• Careful wrapping and securing of the piano
• Safe loading using piano dollies, skids, ramps and straps
• Transport in a purpose-equipped vehicle
• Unloading and placement in your chosen room and position

We can also combine piano removals with house removals or office moves if you want a single provider handling everything on the same day.

Items We Do and Don’t Move with Pianos

Items Commonly Moved with Pianos

• Piano stools and benches
• Music stands, sheet music and accessories
• Small associated furniture (e.g. side tables, stands)
• Digital pianos and keyboards

Items We Exclude or Move Separately

• Hazardous materials (fuels, chemicals, gas bottles)
• Large safes or industrial machinery (unless agreed separately)
• Items fixed to walls or floors that require specialist trades
• High-value artwork or antiques without prior arrangement
• Piano tuning (we recommend tuning after the move by a specialist)

If you are unsure about a particular item, we are happy to advise during the quotation stage.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

Contact us by phone or email with basic details: piano type, collection and delivery addresses, floor levels, access and your ideal date. We will ask a few focused questions to understand the complexity of the move and provide an initial estimate or arrange a survey for more detailed pricing.

2. Survey (Virtual or Onsite)

For simple ground-floor moves, a detailed phone call or video call is usually sufficient. For stairwork, tight corners or particularly valuable pianos, we may visit in person. We assess measurements, access routes, parking, and any restrictions such as lift sizes or time-limited loading bays.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the day, we protect floors and doorways where needed. The piano is wrapped in high-quality moving blankets and secured with straps. For grand pianos, we may remove legs and pedals and use a piano skid, ensuring all parts are carefully wrapped and labelled.

4. Loading & Transport

The piano is carefully manoeuvred using dollies, skids, ramps and team coordination, then loaded into our vehicle using tail lifts or ramps. Inside the van, it is securely strapped to prevent any movement, with additional padding used to avoid contact with other items.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process, protecting the property and placing the piano exactly where you want it, subject to safe access. Legs and pedals are refitted for grand pianos, and we carry out final checks before we leave. We recommend arranging tuning a week or two after the move once the piano has acclimatised.

Transparent Piano Removals Pricing

Piano removal costs depend on several factors:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
• Number of floors and presence of lifts or stairs
• Access constraints (tight turns, narrow corridors, long carries)
• Distance between addresses
• Any additional services (e.g. moving other furniture on the same job)

We provide clear, itemised quotations so you know exactly what is included. There are no hidden extras for standard work. Where a job may require additional manpower or equipment, this will be explained and agreed in advance.

Why Use Professional Piano Movers Instead of DIY

Attempting to move a piano yourself or with a casual man-and-van can be risky for both people and property. Pianos are extremely heavy and unbalanced; without the correct training and equipment there is a real chance of injury or damage.

By using professional piano movers you benefit from:

• Specialist handling techniques and secure lifting methods
• Purpose-built equipment such as piano dollies and skids
• Fully insured vehicles with goods in transit insurance
• Protection for your floors, walls and staircases
• Reduced stress and faster, more efficient moves

In many cases, professional piano removals cost less than repairing damage caused by an attempted DIY move.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Your piano is both a valuable asset and, often, an item of great personal importance. We treat it accordingly. Our service includes:

• Goods in transit insurance for items we carry, including pianos
• Public liability cover for peace of mind in and around your property
• Trained, experienced teams who handle pianos regularly
• Well-maintained, clean vehicles designed for removals work
• Documented bookings and clear communication throughout

We operate to professional moving standards, with careful risk assessment and methodical planning for each job, however large or small.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

We place strong emphasis on careful handling and responsible operations. During each piano move we:

• Use high-quality blankets, wraps and straps to protect the instrument
• Employ floor and corner protectors where needed to safeguard your property
• Plan access routes to minimise risk and disturbance

From a sustainability perspective, we:

• Use reusable protective materials rather than excessive single-use plastics
• Plan routes sensibly to reduce unnecessary mileage
• Maintain vehicles regularly for efficiency and reliability

Our aim is to move your piano with the least possible impact on both your property and the environment.

Real-World Piano Removals Use Cases

Moving House

When you move home, the piano is often the most complex and time-critical item to handle. We can schedule the piano as part of a full home removal or as a dedicated job, ensuring it is moved at the right time and placed exactly where you need it in your new property.

Office and Studio Relocations

Studios, schools and offices with pianos or digital instruments benefit from our coordinated approach. We can work outside standard hours, plan around lessons or recording sessions, and coordinate with building management for lifts and loading bays.

Urgent or Short-Notice Moves

Sometimes pianos need to be moved quickly due to building works, incoming tenants or urgent sales. Where our schedule allows, we can offer same-day or short-notice piano removals in Putney and surrounding areas, still following our standard safety and protection procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost of a piano removal depends mainly on the type of piano, access at each address and the distance travelled. Upright pianos on ground floors with good access are usually at the lower end, while grand pianos or stairwork will cost more due to extra labour and equipment. Once we know the key details, we provide a clear, fixed-price quotation. There are no hidden charges for standard work, and any potential additional costs for complex access are explained before you book.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

Same-day or urgent piano removals are sometimes possible, particularly within Putney and nearby areas, depending on our existing schedule and the complexity of the move. Simple ground-floor moves are easier to accommodate at short notice than multi-floor jobs or those needing building access arrangements. If you need an urgent move, contact us as early as you can with full details so we can assess feasibility, confirm availability and provide a realistic time window and price for the work.

Is my piano insured during the move?

Yes. Your piano is covered under our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care and being transported, subject to the terms of our contract. We also hold public liability cover for work in and around your property. During the quotation process we will explain the cover, limitations and any valuation details we may need for higher-value instruments. Our priority is always to prevent damage in the first place through careful planning, protection and handling by trained professionals.

What is included in a professional piano removal?

A professional piano removal includes planning, protection and safe handling from start to finish. We assess access, choose the right team and equipment, protect floors and doorways where needed, wrap the piano and secure it properly for the move. The instrument is loaded into a suitable vehicle, transported safely, then unloaded and placed in your chosen room and position. We can also move associated items such as stools or digital pianos. Tuning is not included, but we advise arranging this after the piano has settled.

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

A standard man-and-van service often lacks the specialist equipment, training and insurance needed for safe piano moves. With professional piano removals, the team regularly handles heavy, delicate instruments, uses purpose-designed dollies, skids and straps, and follows tested methods for stairwork and tight access. Our vehicles are equipped for removals, and we carry appropriate insurance for your protection. In practice this means less risk of injury, less chance of damage to the piano or your property, and a more predictable, well-managed experience overall.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

For planned moves, we recommend booking your piano removal at least one to two weeks in advance, especially if it needs to coincide with a house move, building works or school term dates. This allows time for any necessary survey and coordination with building management for access or parking. However, we understand that not all moves can be planned that far ahead, so we do hold some flexibility for short-notice jobs. The sooner you get in touch, the more options we will usually be able to offer.