Piano Removals

Piano Removals in Dulwich by Dulwich Movers

Moving a piano safely takes more than muscle – it requires experience, planning and the right equipment. At Dulwich Movers, we provide specialist piano removals in Dulwich and the surrounding areas, handling everything from compact uprights to full concert grands with care and precision.

Specialist Piano Removals Service Explained

Our piano removals service is designed to protect your instrument, your property and everyone involved in the move. We use purpose-built piano dollies, protective covers, ramps and securing systems in our vehicles, along with carefully planned routes in and out of your property.

Every move begins with an assessment of access, stairs, turns and floor types so we can choose the safest method. Where required, we can remove and refit doors, use stair climbers, or disassemble certain piano elements (such as legs and lyres on grands) to ensure safe, controlled handling.

Local Piano Removal Experts in Dulwich

As a Dulwich-based removals company, we understand the quirks of local properties – from large period homes and mansion flats to narrow terraced houses and basement flats. This local knowledge helps us plan realistic access routes and parking, and work efficiently on tight residential streets.

Our team regularly moves pianos in and around Dulwich Village, East Dulwich, West Dulwich and nearby areas, so we’re familiar with many of the buildings, communal entrances and typical access issues you might face.

Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For

• Homeowners – Moving house, renovating, or relocating a piano to a different room or floor.
• Renters – Safely moving a piano in or out of flats, often with tight stairwells and lift restrictions.
• Landlords – Removing or re-positioning pianos between tenancies or as part of property upgrades.
• Businesses – Schools, churches, studios, venues and hotels needing regular or one-off piano moves.
• Students – Transporting uprights or digital pianos between home, halls and rented accommodation.

What We Can and Cannot Move

Items Included in Our Piano Removals

• Upright pianos (including overstrung and modern uprights)
• Grand and baby grand pianos
• Digital pianos and stage pianos (including stands and pedals)
• Organs and similar keyboard instruments by prior arrangement
• Piano stools, benches and small associated accessories

Items Excluded or by Special Arrangement

• Long-distance overseas shipping (we can refer you to specialists if required)
• Internal restoration work or tuning – we move the piano only
• Extremely restricted or unsafe access (e.g. dangerous staircases or unsupported balconies)
• Moves requiring cranes or external lifts without prior survey and planning

If you’re unsure whether your instrument or access is suitable, we’ll clarify this during the initial survey and explain available options.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quotation

You contact us with basic details: piano type, current and destination addresses, number of steps, lifts, and any access concerns. We provide a clear, no-obligation quotation, outlining what’s included, any special requirements and likely timings.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

For many moves, a video call and photos are enough. For more complex jobs – such as large grands, basement access or unusual staircases – we may arrange an onsite survey in Dulwich or nearby. This allows us to measure tight spots and plan the safest possible method.

3. Packing & Preparation

On moving day, we protect the instrument before any lifting takes place. This may include wrapping in thick moving blankets, securing lids, removing and packing pedals or music stands, and, for grands, carefully removing legs and lyre and wrapping each component. Floors, bannisters and doorways are also protected where necessary.

4. Loading & Transport

Your piano is moved using specialist equipment, with a minimum of two trained team members and often more for heavier instruments or challenging access. In our vehicles, we secure the piano to anchor points using heavy-duty straps, ensuring no movement in transit. Our vans are fitted with air-ride or well-maintained suspension to minimise vibration.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we place the piano in your chosen position, subject to access and floor suitability. We reassemble any removed parts, check stability and remove all protective materials. If you’re unsure of the best location for acoustics or temperature, we can offer practical guidance based on experience.

Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals

We price piano removals fairly and transparently, based on:

• Type and size of piano (upright vs grand)
• Distance between properties
• Access conditions (stairs, lifts, internal steps, narrow corridors)
• Parking or permit requirements
• Any additional services (e.g. temporary storage, evening moves)

Your quotation will clearly show what is included, any potential extras and our payment terms. There are no hidden add-ons for standard work agreed in advance; if we think something may affect the final cost, we will explain it before you book.

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

Pianos are heavy, delicate and expensive to repair. A typical upright can weigh 200–300 kg, and a grand often more. Attempting to move one without the correct equipment and experience risks damage to the instrument, your property and the people lifting it.

Compared to a casual man-and-van service, our specialist team brings:

• Trained staff experienced in handling pianos specifically
• Dedicated moving equipment and protective materials
• Goods in transit insurance tailored to removals work
• Detailed planning and clear communication throughout

In practice, professional piano removals are often far more cost-effective than the potential repair bills – or injuries – that can result from an improvised move.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Dulwich Movers operates to recognised professional standards and takes responsibility for the items we handle.

• Goods in transit insurance – protects your piano while it is in our care and in our vehicles, subject to policy terms.
• Public liability cover – protection in the unlikely event of accidental damage to third-party property.
• Trained moving teams – all staff receive practical training in correct lifting techniques, use of equipment and safe working practices.

We are happy to share details of our cover and answer any questions you may have before you book.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

Our approach focuses on long-term care for both your instrument and the environment. We use heavy-duty, reusable protective wraps and blankets rather than single-use plastics wherever possible. Vehicle loading is planned to minimise unnecessary journeys and fuel use, especially for multiple deliveries in and around Dulwich.

Within your property, we take time to protect vulnerable surfaces and move slowly and deliberately rather than rushing. This careful, methodical approach significantly reduces the risk of scuffs, dents or other damage during tight manoeuvres.

Real-World Piano Removal Scenarios

Moving House

If you’re relocating within or away from Dulwich, we can integrate your piano move into a full house removal, or treat it as a separate, specialist job. We coordinate with your main moving schedule so the piano is handled when the route is clear and conditions are safest.

Office or Venue Relocation

Businesses, schools, churches and performance venues often need pianos moved between rooms, buildings or sites. We work around your timetable, including early mornings, evenings or weekends where agreed, to minimise disruption to lessons, services or events.

Urgent and Short-Notice Moves

Sudden tenancy changes, building works or event requirements sometimes mean a piano needs to be moved at short notice. Where our schedule allows, we provide same-day or next-day piano removals in Dulwich and nearby areas. If we cannot help within your timeframe, we’ll say so honestly and, where possible, suggest practical alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost of a piano removal depends mainly on the type of piano, distance between addresses and the access at each property. Upright pianos on ground-floor to ground-floor moves are usually at the lower end of our pricing, while grands, multiple flights of stairs or very tight access will cost more due to the extra staff and time required. We provide a clear, fixed quotation in advance so you know exactly what to expect, with no hidden extras for standard work we’ve already agreed.

Can you offer same-day or urgent piano removals?

Same-day or urgent moves are sometimes possible, particularly within Dulwich and nearby areas, depending on our existing bookings and the complexity of the job. Simple upright moves with straightforward access are easier to accommodate at short notice than large grands or challenging properties. Contact us with as much detail as you can and we’ll let you know honestly what we can do. If we’re unable to help within your timeframe, we’ll tell you straight away so you can make alternative arrangements.

Is my piano insured while you move it?

Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is being handled by our team and transported in our vehicles, subject to the standard terms and conditions of our policy. We also carry public liability cover for peace of mind in relation to property damage. We are happy to explain how this works, including any limitations or exclusions, and can provide confirmation of cover details if required before you decide to book with us.

What’s included in your piano removals service?

Our service includes the safe loading, transport and unloading of your piano between the agreed addresses, along with standard protective materials and equipment. Where required, we’ll remove and refit doors, and for grand pianos we’ll carefully remove, wrap and refit legs and lyre. We also place the piano in your chosen position, subject to access and floor suitability. Tuning, restoration work and crane lifts are not included but we can sometimes recommend suitable specialists if you need those additional services.

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

A professional piano removals service uses trained staff, specific equipment and appropriate insurance, all focused on protecting your instrument and property. A basic man-and-van may not have piano skids, dollies, straps or enough people, increasing the risk of damage or injury. We plan the move in advance, assess access properly and take responsibility for the work. While we may not be the cheapest option, for a valuable or sentimental instrument the additional safety and reassurance are usually well worth the difference.

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, particularly if you need a specific day or are moving at a busy time of year. Larger or more complex moves, such as grands or multiple flights of stairs, benefit from a longer lead time for surveys and planning. That said, we’ll always try to help with short-notice requests where our schedule and the nature of the job allow. It’s always worth asking.