Piano Removals

Piano Removals by Docklands Movers

Moving a piano safely takes far more than brute strength. At Docklands Movers, we provide a dedicated piano removals service, using specialist equipment, trained teams and carefully planned logistics to protect your instrument and your property from start to finish.

Specialist Piano Removals You Can Rely On

A piano is not just heavy – it is delicate, finely balanced and often highly valuable, both financially and emotionally. Our teams handle upright and grand pianos every week across {area} and the wider region. We use piano skates, padded covers, stair climbers and custom loading techniques, so your instrument travels securely from room to room or address to address.

Every move is risk-assessed in advance, with a clear plan for narrow hallways, stairs, lifts and difficult access. Your piano remains under the care of trained, professional movers at all times.

Local Piano Moving Expertise in {area}

Docklands Movers is based in and around {area}, so we know local streets, parking restrictions, building management rules and common access challenges. That local knowledge lets us plan routes that avoid low bridges, tight corners and unsuitable roads for larger removal vehicles.

Whether you are moving a piano within the same building, across town, or from {area} to another part of the UK, we coordinate with building managers, concierge desks and loading bays to keep everything running smoothly and on time.

Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For

Our piano removals are suitable for:

• Homeowners – moving house, renovating, or passing a family piano on to the next generation.
• Renters – relocating between rented properties while protecting both the piano and the landlord’s flooring and walls.
• Landlords – clearing or repositioning pianos between tenancies or for refurbishment.
• Businesses – hotels, restaurants, bars and music venues that need reliable, discreet moves.
• Students – music students moving between term-time and holiday addresses or student accommodation.

We also regularly work with music schools, rehearsal studios, churches and performance venues throughout {area}.

What’s Included in Our Piano Removals Service

Items and Services Included

Our piano removals typically include:

• Upright piano removals
• Baby grand and grand piano removals (with partial dismantling where required)
• Digital and stage pianos
• Organ and keyboard moves (non-pipe)
• Protective wrapping and padding for the instrument
• Protection for floors, doors and vulnerable surfaces
• Careful loading, secure transport and unloading
• Placement of the piano in your chosen room and position

Items and Tasks Excluded

To keep things clear and safe, some items and tasks are normally excluded from our standard piano removals service:

• Piano tuning (we can recommend local tuners if needed).
• Major restoration or repair work.
• Moving pipe organs or permanently built-in instruments.
• Disassembly beyond standard removal requirements (e.g. internal mechanical work).
• Removal of structural features such as doors, bannisters or windows (we can coordinate with appropriate trades if this is required).

If you are unsure whether something is covered, mention it during your enquiry and we will clarify before you book.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

Everything starts with a detailed conversation. You tell us the piano type, current and destination addresses, access details (stairs, lifts, parking) and your preferred dates. We then provide a clear, no-obligation quote, setting out what is included so you know exactly what to expect.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

For many moves, a video call or photos are enough. For more complex removals – grand pianos, multiple flights of stairs, unusual access – we can arrange an onsite survey. This lets us measure doorways and staircases, review parking, and decide what equipment and team size we’ll need to carry out the move safely.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the day, our professional team arrives at the agreed time. We protect floors and doorways, then carefully prepare the piano using padded covers, securing straps and, where appropriate, dismantling legs, pedals or lyres on grand pianos. All components are wrapped and labelled so they can be reassembled correctly at the other end.

4. Loading & Transport

The piano is moved using specialist dollies or skates, with coordinated lifting and clear communication between team members. Once on the vehicle, it is secured with heavy-duty straps and further padding to prevent movement. Our vehicles are clean, well-maintained and covered by goods in transit insurance for your peace of mind.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process: careful unloading, safe manoeuvring through the property and precise placement where you want the piano. We reassemble any removed parts, remove protective materials and carry out a final check with you before we leave. You may wish to arrange tuning a few weeks after the move, once the piano has acclimatised.

Transparent Piano Removal Pricing

Every piano move is slightly different, so we price based on:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand).
• Distance between properties.
• Access complexity (stairs, tight turns, no lift, long carries).
• Parking arrangements and any required permits in {area}.
• Any time constraints (evening moves, out-of-hours, urgent bookings).

Your quote will clearly explain how the cost is calculated. There are no hidden extras: if something could affect the price, we tell you upfront so you can make an informed decision.

Why Choose Professional Piano Movers Over DIY or Man-and-Van

A piano can weigh anywhere from 150kg to over 400kg, with most of that weight concentrated in a delicate frame and soundboard. Attempting to move it yourself, or using a casual man-and-van service without specialist experience, can lead to:

• Damage to the piano’s internal mechanisms.
• Scratched floors, chipped stairs and damaged walls.
• Serious risk of personal injury.
• Insurance refusing to cover damage if not handled by a recognised mover.

By contrast, Docklands Movers provides a fully insured, trained and professional piano removal service, with the correct equipment, techniques and insurance to protect both your instrument and your property.

Insurance and Professional Standards

We take responsibility seriously. All piano removals are covered by:

• Goods in transit insurance – protecting your piano while it is in our vehicle.
• Public liability cover – covering accidental damage to third-party property.
• Appropriate vehicle and employer’s liability insurance.

Our teams are trained in safe lifting, piano handling techniques and property protection. We work to professional standards at every stage, from initial survey to final placement.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

We treat every piano as if it were our own. That means:

• Using thick, reusable padded blankets and covers.
• Protecting floors with runners and, where needed, corner guards on walls.
• Careful planning to minimise risks on stairs and tight spaces.

We also aim to minimise our environmental impact by maintaining efficient routes, using reusable packing materials wherever possible and keeping vehicles well serviced to reduce emissions. Our approach balances careful handling with responsible, sustainable working practices.

Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases

Moving House

Many of our clients are families relocating within or from {area}. We can move your piano as part of a full house removal or as a stand-alone service, coordinating timings with your main move so everything happens on the same day.

Office and Commercial Moves

Hotels, bars, venues and offices often have pianos in reception or performance areas. We work discreetly and efficiently, fitting around business hours to minimise disruption. If your relocation involves multiple sites, we can plan a schedule that keeps your operations running smoothly.

Urgent and Short-Notice Moves

Sometimes pianos need to be moved quickly – for example, after a property sale completes faster than expected, or where building works are about to start. Where our schedule allows, we can offer same-day or short-notice piano removals in and around {area}. Contact us as soon as you know you need help, and we will do our best to accommodate your timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost depends on the type of piano, distance, access and how many movers are required. Upright pianos with straightforward access are usually at the lower end of the price range, while grand pianos, long distances or multiple flights of stairs can increase the cost. Once we know the details – including addresses, floor levels and any access challenges – we provide a clear, fixed quotation. There are no hidden fees, and we will always explain how the price has been calculated before you decide to go ahead.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

Where our schedule permits, we can often accommodate same-day or short-notice moves, especially within {area} and nearby locations. Availability will depend on the equipment and team size needed, so the more information you can give us when you call, the better. For urgent moves, we prioritise safety and proper planning, even if time is tight. If we cannot safely complete the move in your requested time frame, we will explain the options and offer the earliest suitable alternative.

Is my piano insured during the move?

Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care and on our vehicles. We also hold public liability cover to protect against accidental damage to property during the move. Our aim is always to prevent issues in the first place through proper planning, protection and handling, but knowing that comprehensive cover is in place gives most clients added peace of mind. We are happy to provide evidence of our insurance on request before you confirm your booking.

What exactly is included in your piano removals service?

Our service includes planning, risk assessment, protective wrapping, safe movement out of the property, secure loading, transport and careful placement in the new location. For grand pianos, we include standard dismantling and reassembly of legs and pedals where required. We also protect floors and vulnerable areas as we work. What is not included as standard is tuning, restoration or structural building work, although we can coordinate with other professionals where necessary. Everything that is included will be clearly set out in your written quotation.

Why use Docklands Movers instead of a basic man-and-van?

Many general man-and-van services are not equipped or insured for specialist piano moves. They may lack the correct skates, covers, stair-climbing equipment and, crucially, the experience needed to move heavy, delicate instruments safely. By choosing Docklands Movers, you are using a professional company that moves pianos regularly, carries full insurance and follows proven techniques. This reduces the risk of injury, damage to your property and costly repairs to the piano itself, giving you much greater peace of mind.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

For maximum choice of dates and times, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially if you are moving at busy periods such as month-end or weekends. That said, we understand that piano moves can be time-sensitive, so we always try to help with shorter notice when our schedule allows. The earlier you contact us, the more options we can offer and the easier it is to coordinate your piano move with any wider house or office relocation plans.