Piano Removals

Piano Removals South Kensington

At South Kensington Movers, we provide specialist piano removals for upright, baby grand and grand pianos across South Kensington and the surrounding areas. Moving a piano safely requires the right equipment, the right planning, and an experienced, professional team. That is exactly what we offer.

Specialist Piano Removal Services in South Kensington

Pianos are heavy, intricate instruments that do not react well to being dragged, tilted excessively or moved without proper protection. Our piano removals service is designed specifically to protect both your instrument and your property at every stage.

We use purpose-built piano dollies, padded covers, floor protection and, where required, lifting equipment to move your piano safely through tight hallways, staircases and communal areas that are common in South Kensington homes and apartments.

Local Expertise in South Kensington

Working in South Kensington week in, week out means we understand:

• Basement and upper-floor flats with narrow staircases
• Permit parking and restricted loading bays
• Access rules for mansion blocks and portered buildings
• Coordination with concierges and building managers

Our team plans your piano removal around local access, parking and time restrictions, helping avoid delays, fines or unnecessary disruption to neighbours.

Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For

We carry out piano removals for a wide range of clients in South Kensington:

Homeowners

Whether you’re moving house or simply repositioning a piano between rooms or floors, we protect floors, walls and banisters while keeping your instrument secure.

Renters

We understand the importance of avoiding scuffs and damage in rented properties. Our trained teams use door-frame and floor protection to keep your landlord happy and your deposit safe.

Landlords & Letting Agents

We help remove or relocate pianos between tenancies, storage units and furnished lets, working to tight handover dates and inventory requirements.

Businesses & Institutions

We regularly move pianos for schools, music studios, hotels, churches and performance venues, including out-of-hours moves to avoid disturbing staff, students or guests.

Students & Professional Musicians

From student practice uprights to concert instruments, we provide careful, reliable piano moves between halls, flats, rehearsal spaces and venues across London.

What’s Included in Our Piano Removals Service

Our piano removals typically include:

• Pre-move assessment of access and logistics
• Protective wrapping and padding for the piano
• Floor, stair and wall protection where needed
• Careful removal from property and loading to vehicle
• Secure transport in a purpose-equipped removals vehicle
• Delivery, unloading and positioning in the new location
• Re-assembly of legs, lyre and pedals where applicable

We can also combine piano removals with full house removals or office moves, so everything is handled by one coordinated team.

What’s Not Included

To be transparent, our standard piano removals do not include:

• Piano tuning or internal repair work
• Long-term storage (short-term can be arranged by request)
• Disposal or recycling of unwanted pianos (available as a separate service, subject to condition and access)
• Crane or external hoist hire unless quoted for in advance
• Moving other household goods unless added to your booking

If you require any of these, we can usually arrange them or recommend trusted local partners in South Kensington.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

Contact us with details of your piano (upright, baby grand, grand), both addresses, and any access information. We’ll ask about floor levels, lifts, steps and parking. Based on this, we provide a clear, no-obligation quote detailing what is included.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

For straightforward ground-floor moves, photos or a short video call often suffice. For more complex access – tight staircases, basement flats, high floors or period buildings – we may arrange an onsite survey. This allows us to plan the safest route, confirm manpower and, if necessary, discuss any lifting equipment.

3. Packing & Preparation

On moving day, our professional crew arrives with all necessary protection. We wrap the piano in padded covers, secure lids and moving parts, and protect vulnerable areas of your property with runners and corner guards. For grands and baby grands, legs and pedals are carefully removed and labelled for safe reassembly.

4. Loading & Transport

We use specialist piano trolleys and lifting techniques to move your instrument to the vehicle without dragging or excessive tipping. The piano is then safely secured inside the van using straps and additional padding to prevent any movement during transit.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we follow the same careful process in reverse. Once inside, we place the piano exactly where you want it, checking for level and re-attaching any removed components. We remove all our protective materials, leaving your space tidy and ready to use.

Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals

Pricing for piano removals in South Kensington depends mainly on:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
• Access at both addresses (steps, floors, lifts, tight corners)
• Distance between properties
• Need for additional services (storage, hoists, extra manpower)

We provide a clear, itemised quotation before any booking is confirmed, so you know exactly what you are paying for. There are no hidden charges for stairs or parking where these have been disclosed in advance and included in the quote.

Why Choose Professional Piano Removals Over DIY

A piano can weigh anywhere from 180kg to over 500kg, with much of that weight concentrated in delicate areas. Attempting a move with untrained helpers or a casual man-and-van can easily result in:

• Damage to the piano’s frame, legs or internal components
• Crushed fingers, back injuries or falls on stairs
• Scratched floors, dented walls and damaged bannisters
• Insurance issues if something goes wrong

Our trained teams use safe lifting techniques, the right equipment and goods in transit insurance so your instrument and your property are properly protected.

Insurance & Professional Standards

South Kensington Movers operates to strict professional standards and carries comprehensive cover for your peace of mind:

• Goods in transit insurance to protect your piano while it is being moved
• Public liability cover for any accidental damage to third-party property
• Trained, uniformed staff experienced in handling pianos

We follow established best practices for piano removals, from safe manual handling to appropriate vehicle loading and route planning. Documentation can be provided to venues, managing agents or building managers on request.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

Every piano we move is treated with the same level of care, whether it’s a family heirloom or a practice upright. We focus on:

• Using high-quality protective blankets and reusable wraps
• Protecting floors, carpets and staircases to avoid damage
• Planning the shortest practical route to minimise handling
• Using well-maintained, fuel-efficient vehicles

Where possible, we use reusable protection and materials rather than disposable plastics, supporting a more sustainable approach to removals without compromising on safety.

Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases

Moving House

When you’re moving home, your piano is often one of the last things out and first things in. We can coordinate with your wider house removals so the piano move fits smoothly into the overall plan, avoiding last-minute rushes.

Office & Commercial Relocations

For hotels, schools, churches and performance spaces, we move pianos between venues or within the same building – for example, from a hall to a rehearsal room – at times that minimise disruption, including early mornings or evenings.

Urgent & Short-Notice Moves

Occasionally, pianos need to be moved urgently – end of tenancy, building works, or unexpected building access changes. Where our schedule allows, we can provide short-notice or same-day piano removals in South Kensington and nearby areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal in South Kensington cost?

The cost depends on the type of piano, access at both properties and the distance travelled. Upright pianos on ground floors with straightforward access are usually the most economical to move. Baby grands and grands, or properties with multiple flights of stairs, narrow corridors or difficult parking, will cost more due to extra labour and time. Once we’ve asked a few questions or seen photos, we’ll provide a fixed, itemised quote so you know the exact price before you book.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

Where our schedule allows, we can accommodate same-day or next-day piano removals in South Kensington and nearby areas. Urgent bookings depend on crew and vehicle availability, as well as the complexity of the move, so it is always best to call us as soon as possible. For straightforward upright piano moves with good access, we can often react quickly. More complex jobs may require a brief survey before we can safely commit to a same-day slot.

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 being transported. We also hold public liability cover for any accidental damage to third-party property. Our focus is always on preventing incidents in the first place through proper planning and handling, but insurance provides an essential additional layer of protection. If you need policy details for your records, venue, or managing agent, we can supply copies on request before moving day.

What’s included in your piano removal service?

Our standard service includes all labour, protective materials, moving equipment and transport needed to move your piano from its current position to the desired location in the new property. We handle wrapping, careful removal, loading, secure transit, unloading and placement, including re-attaching legs and pedals for grand pianos. We also protect key areas of your home with covers and runners. Tuning, repairs, long-term storage or crane hire are not included as standard, but can usually be arranged separately.

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

A general man-and-van service may not have the specialist equipment, experience or insurance needed for heavy, delicate instruments. Our crews are specifically trained in piano handling, use specialist dollies, straps and padding, and follow established methods to avoid damage or injury. We also hold appropriate goods in transit insurance, which some casual operators may lack. In short, we combine the right tools, knowledge and cover to move your piano safely, rather than treating it as just another bulky item.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

For planned moves, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially if you need a specific date or time slot, or if access is complex. This allows time for a survey if required and ensures we can allocate the right crew and equipment. However, we understand that not all moves can be planned so far ahead. If you have a short-notice or urgent requirement, contact us and we’ll do our best to fit you in, subject to availability.