Piano Removals

Piano Removals in Richmond upon Thames

At Richmond upon Thames Movers, we provide specialist piano removals throughout Richmond upon Thames and the surrounding areas. Moving a piano is very different from moving regular furniture. It demands the right equipment, experience and planning to protect the instrument, the property and everyone involved. Our dedicated piano moving teams handle upright, baby grand and grand pianos every week, treating each move with the care your instrument deserves.

Specialist Piano Removal Services Explained

Our piano removals service is a dedicated offering, not an add-on. We understand the complexity of moving heavy, delicate and often sentimental instruments through tight hallways, stairs and doorways. Every job is planned in detail, with appropriate protection, lifting gear and vehicle configuration.

We routinely move:

• Upright pianos – including modern, studio and traditional uprights
• Baby grand and grand pianos – with partial dismantling where required
• Digital pianos and stage pianos
• Organs and keyboard instruments (by prior arrangement)

Your piano is secured, protected and transported in purpose-equipped vehicles by trained, experienced staff who understand balance, weight distribution and safe handling.

Local Piano Moving Expertise in Richmond upon Thames

Working across Richmond upon Thames every day gives us a strong understanding of local properties, access issues and parking restrictions. From riverside apartments and townhouses near Richmond Green, to period homes in Twickenham and compact flats in Teddington, we plan each move around the realities of your location.

We liaise with you about parking, building access and any restrictions, and can advise on best times to move to minimise disruption to neighbours and traffic. This local knowledge helps us complete piano removals smoothly, safely and on time.

Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For

Our specialist piano moving service is suitable for:

• Homeowners – moving house, renovating, or relocating a family piano
• Renters – transferring a piano between rented properties or into storage
• Landlords – moving pianos between furnished properties or arranging removals for tenants
• Businesses – including schools, music studios, theatres, hotels and event venues
• Students – especially music students relocating to or from halls and shared accommodation

Whether your piano is an heirloom, a professional instrument or a much-loved practice piece, we treat it with the same professional care.

What Is Included in Our Piano Removals Service

Our standard piano removals service typically includes:

• Pre-move survey (virtual or on-site) to assess access and plan
• Use of piano trolleys, dollies, ramps and lifting equipment
• Specialist wrapping and protective covers for your piano
• Floor protection where required to prevent scuffs and damage
• Safe loading into a purpose-equipped vehicle
• Secure transport to the destination
• Careful unloading and positioning in the new location

We can also combine piano removals with wider house removals or office moves, so everything is handled in one coordinated plan.

What Is Not Included

To keep expectations clear, the following are typically excluded from our standard piano removals:

• Piano tuning before or after the move (we can recommend local tuners)
• Major disassembly or restoration work
• Removal of windows, doors or structural elements (we can work with your chosen contractors)
• Moving pianos through unsafe or structurally unsound access routes
• Storage, unless specifically requested as an additional service

If your move is particularly complex – for example through very narrow staircases or via balcony – we will discuss this at the survey stage and advise on specialist solutions.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

You contact us with basic details: type of piano, current and new addresses, access (stairs, lifts, parking) and preferred dates. We provide a clear, itemised quotation outlining what is included. Pricing is transparent, with no hidden extras for standard moves.

2. Survey (Virtual or Onsite)

We complete a virtual survey using photos or video, or arrange an onsite visit if access looks complex. This allows us to assess door widths, staircases, tight turns and any obstacles. From there, we plan the number of staff, equipment and best route to move the piano safely.

3. Packing & Preparation

On moving day, our professional team arrives punctually, walks through the route and protects floors and walls where needed. The piano is wrapped with padded covers, and delicate parts such as lids and pedals are secured. For grands and baby grands, some elements may be professionally removed to allow safer transit.

4. Loading & Transport

The piano is carefully lifted onto a specialist trolley and secured in the vehicle using straps, padding and blocking. Our vehicles are equipped for heavy, fragile items, and our trained drivers are used to transporting pianos through the streets of Richmond upon Thames and beyond.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process just as carefully. The piano is brought into the property, positioned in the space you have chosen, and unwrapped. We carry out final checks for stability and condition before we leave. You may wish to arrange a tuning a few weeks after the move once the piano has settled.

Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals

Piano removal costs depend on several factors:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
• Access at collection and delivery addresses (stairs, lifts, distance to vehicle)
• Travel distance between properties
• Any additional services such as storage or combining with a full house move

We provide fixed quotes for most standard piano moves in Richmond upon Thames. Where access is particularly challenging, we will explain any extra costs clearly in advance, so you can decide with full information. There are no surprise charges on moving day.

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

Pianos are extremely heavy, awkward to handle and sensitive to knocks and vibration. Attempting a DIY move or using a casual man-and-van service carries significant risk of:

• Damage to the instrument’s casing, internal mechanics or finish
• Injury to untrained helpers due to weight and poor lifting technique
• Damage to staircases, floors, doors and walls
• Unsafe loading into vehicles not designed for heavy, delicate items

By using a professional piano removals company with the right equipment, trained staff and proper insurance, you reduce risk considerably and protect both your piano and your property.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Richmond upon Thames Movers operates to high professional standards to give you peace of mind:

• Goods in transit insurance – protecting your piano while it is in our care and on our vehicles
• Public liability cover – in case of accidental damage to property or third parties
• Trained moving teams – all staff receive specific training in handling heavy and delicate items
• Regularly maintained, clean vehicles and equipment

Insurance details and limits are available on request. We are happy to explain exactly how your instrument is protected during the move.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

We focus on careful, considerate working practices at every stage. Your piano is wrapped, protected and handled with controlled movements to minimise shocks and vibration. We use floor protection and take care not to mark walls, skirting or door frames.

From a sustainability perspective, we aim to consolidate journeys where possible, maintain fuel-efficient vehicles and re-use protective materials such as blankets and covers. Disposable materials are kept to a minimum and recycled where practical. Our goal is to balance safe, effective piano removals with a responsible approach to the environment.

Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases

Moving House

Many of our clients are moving home within or to/from Richmond upon Thames. We often integrate piano removals into a full household move, ensuring the piano is scheduled at the right point in the day and handled by the most experienced team members.

Office and Commercial Relocations

We assist schools, music colleges, studios, performance venues and hotels with moving pianos between premises, setting up for events, or rearranging instruments within the same building. Moves can be scheduled outside business hours to reduce disruption.

Urgent Moves and Short-Notice Requests

Occasionally, pianos need to be moved urgently – for example, ahead of unexpected building work, water damage, or last-minute property handovers. Where our schedule allows, we can provide short-notice and sometimes same-day piano removals across Richmond upon Thames and neighbouring areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost of a piano removal varies depending on the type of piano, access at each property and the distance travelled. Upright pianos with straightforward ground-floor access are usually at the lower end of the price range, while grands and moves involving several flights of stairs are more complex and therefore cost more. We provide a clear, no-obligation quote once we know the details of your move, so you have an accurate figure before you decide. There are no hidden extras for standard moves in Richmond upon Thames.

Can you provide same-day or urgent piano removals?

Same-day or urgent piano removals are sometimes possible, depending on our schedule and the complexity of the move. Straightforward local moves with good access are easier to arrange at short notice, while grand pianos or difficult staircases usually require more planning time. If you have an urgent requirement, contact us as early in the day as you can, and we will let you know what is realistically achievable. Even when working quickly, we never compromise on safety, protection or professional standards.

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 carry public liability cover for accidental damage to property or third parties. Insurance is not a substitute for careful handling, so we first focus on prevention through proper training, planning and equipment. Full details of our cover, including any limits and exclusions, are available on request, and we encourage customers to ask any questions before booking so they are completely comfortable.

What does your piano removals service include?

Our service includes planning, protective wrapping, provision of specialist moving equipment, trained staff, loading, secure transport and careful placement of the piano in its new position. We also include basic floor protection where needed and can integrate the piano move into a wider house or office removal if required. What we do not include as standard is tuning, major disassembly or building alterations, though we can coordinate timings with other professionals. Everything included will be clearly listed in your written quotation.

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

A professional piano removal is carried out by trained staff using purpose-designed equipment and vehicles, with proper insurance and procedures. Casual man-and-van services often lack experience with heavy, delicate instruments and may not carry the right equipment or cover. This increases the risk of damage to your piano, property or the people involved. With a specialist team, you benefit from planned access routes, protective materials, safe lifting techniques and structured supervision throughout the move, giving a far higher level of safety and peace of mind.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially if you need a specific date or are moving at a busy time of year such as Fridays, month-ends or school holidays. For straightforward local moves, one to two weeks’ notice is usually enough, but more complex jobs involving grands, multiple flights of stairs or coordination with a full house move benefit from additional planning time. If you are working to a tight deadline, still get in touch – we will always try to fit you in or suggest the closest available slot.