Piano Removals
Piano Removals in Merton by Experienced Specialists
Moving a piano is very different to moving ordinary furniture. At Merton Movers, we provide a dedicated piano removals service in Merton and the surrounding areas, carried out by trained, professional crews using the correct equipment and proven techniques. Whether it is an upright in a flat or a grand piano in a concert venue, we move it safely, securely and with full insurance protection.
Professional Piano Removals in Merton
A piano is heavy, delicate and often irreplaceable – both in value and sentiment. Our specialist team handles:
- Upright and digital pianos in houses and flats
- Baby grand and grand pianos in homes, schools and venues
- Studio, rehearsal room and church pianos
- Short-distance moves within Merton and longer UK relocations
We assess access routes, stairs, tight corners and doorways before we move a single key. Using piano dollies, padded covers, floor protection and, where necessary, dismantling techniques, we ensure your piano is moved with the care it deserves.
Local Expertise in Merton
Merton Movers is a local firm with extensive experience working across Merton’s mix of period homes, modern apartments and busy commercial premises. We know the parking restrictions, loading bays, building access rules and one-way systems around:
- Wimbledon, Morden and Colliers Wood
- Mitcham and Raynes Park
- Surrounding neighbourhoods and estates
This local knowledge allows us to plan the fastest, safest routes, arrange appropriate parking and reduce delays on the day of your piano move.
Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For
Homeowners
Whether you are moving house, refurbishing, or passing a family piano on to the next generation, we handle the heavy lifting and protect floors, staircases and doorways from damage.
Renters
We assist tenants moving pianos in or out of rental properties, taking particular care to avoid any marks or damage that could affect your deposit.
Landlords & Property Managers
If a property contains a piano that must be removed or relocated between lets, we offer a tidy, efficient service that minimises disruption to neighbours and other residents.
Businesses & Institutions
We move pianos for schools, music studios, theatres, churches, hotels and event venues. Early morning or out-of-hours moves are available to avoid clashes with rehearsals, performances or classes.
Students & Musicians
From practice uprights in student accommodation to studio instruments, we support music students and working musicians with reliable, cost-effective piano transport.
What Our Piano Removals Service Includes
Included as Standard
- Initial consultation and clear quotation
- Pre-move access check (virtual or onsite)
- Protective wrapping of the piano body and key cover
- Use of specialist moving equipment and padded covers
- Floor and banister protection where required
- Safe loading, secure transport and careful unloading
- Placement of the piano in its new position
- Goods in transit insurance and public liability cover
Common Exclusions
To keep things transparent, the following are typically not included in our standard piano removals quotes, though many can be added on request:
- Tuning of the piano after the move
- Long-term storage (short-term can be arranged separately)
- Major disassembly or restoration work
- Removal of windows, doors or structural alterations
- Crane lifts (available by special arrangement)
We will always explain clearly what is and is not included in your quote so there are no surprises on the day.
Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process
1. Enquiry & Quotation
You contact us with the details of your piano and both addresses. We ask a few key questions about access, stairs, lifts and parking, and request photos or a short video where helpful. Based on this, we provide a clear, written quotation outlining the work involved.
2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite
For straightforward moves, a virtual survey (photos or video call) is often enough. For more complex situations – tight staircases, basement access or high-value grand pianos – we may visit in person. This allows us to plan the safest route, equipment requirements and team size.
3. Packing & Preparation
On move day we protect your piano with padded blankets, covers and straps. For grands, we typically remove the legs and pedal lyre and secure the instrument on a piano skid board. We also protect floors, doorways and bannisters to prevent scuffs and scratches.
4. Loading & Transport
Your piano is moved using specialist dollies and ramps, then secured inside our vehicle with webbing straps and additional padding. Our vehicles are fitted with appropriate anchoring points to prevent any movement in transit, and are driven by experienced staff used to transporting delicate instruments.
5. Unloading & Placement
At the destination, we reverse the process carefully, placing your piano exactly where you want it. We remove protective materials, check for stability and ensure there is no packaging or debris left behind. You can then arrange tuning once the piano has acclimatised to its new environment.
Transparent Pricing for Piano Removals
Piano removals costs vary depending on the type of piano, distance, access and any special requirements. We generally price piano moves as a fixed fee rather than an hourly rate, because this provides clarity and peace of mind.
Your quote will usually consider:
- Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
- Number of stairs or floors at each property
- Distance between addresses
- Parking arrangements and any restrictions
- Need for additional crew or specialist equipment
All costs, including any optional extras, are clearly itemised. There are no hidden charges added on the day, provided the information supplied at booking is accurate.
Why Choose Professional Piano Removals Over DIY
Attempting to move a piano yourself or using a casual man-and-van service can easily lead to injury, property damage or costly damage to the instrument. Pianos have uneven weight distribution, sensitive internal mechanisms and awkward shapes that make them challenging to handle safely.
Our professional teams are trained specifically in piano handling techniques. We use the right equipment, plan routes in advance and carry full insurance. This protects you, your property and your piano, and usually costs far less than repairing damage after a poorly managed move.
Insurance and Professional Standards
Merton Movers operates to high professional standards for every piano move:
- Goods in transit insurance for your piano while it is in our care
- Public liability insurance for peace of mind at both properties
- Trained, uniformed staff experienced in piano removals
- Risk assessments and method statements for complex moves
- Well-maintained, purpose-equipped vehicles
We treat your piano as if it were our own, combining technical know-how with respect for your home and belongings.
Care, Protection and Sustainability
Protecting your piano and property is our first priority. We use clean, padded covers, floor runners and corner protectors to prevent marks and scrapes. Straps and skid boards are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure safe operation.
We also take a responsible approach to sustainability. Wherever possible we:
- Use reusable blankets and protective materials
- Plan efficient routes to reduce fuel consumption
- Maintain vehicles for optimal efficiency and reliability
This combination of careful handling and thoughtful planning helps reduce waste and our environmental impact while keeping your move smooth and efficient.
Typical Piano Removal Use Cases
Moving House
If you are moving within Merton or across the UK, we can manage the piano as part of a full home removal or as a separate dedicated move. We coordinate timings so the piano arrives when access is clear and safe.
Office, School or Venue Relocation
When workplaces, schools or performance venues relocate, pianos often require special handling compared with other items. We work alongside your main removals schedule to move the instrument safely and at suitable times.
Urgent or One-Off Moves
Sometimes a piano needs to be moved quickly – for a sale, event, delivery from storage or an unexpected property issue. Subject to availability, we can provide reliable short-notice or next-day piano removals within the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a piano removal cost?
The cost of a piano removal depends mainly on the type of piano, the distance between properties and how straightforward the access is at each end. Upright pianos on ground-floor to ground-floor moves are usually the most economical, while grand pianos, multiple flights of stairs or difficult access will cost more. We normally provide a fixed-price quote after asking a few questions and reviewing photos or a short video. This way, you know exactly what you will pay before you commit, with no hidden extras on the day.
Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?
Same-day or urgent piano removals are sometimes possible, depending on our schedule and the complexity of the job. Straightforward ground-floor moves are easier to accommodate at short notice than complex stair or grand piano moves. If you need an urgent service, contact us as early as you can with full details, including photos of access and both addresses. We will confirm quickly whether we can help, give you a firm price, and agree a realistic arrival window so you can plan around our visit.
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 we also carry public liability insurance for work at your property. This insurance is designed to provide protection in the unlikely event of damage or an incident during the move. We will be happy to explain the key points of cover and any limits or exclusions before you book. Full details can be provided on request so you can be confident you understand exactly how your piano is protected.
What is included in your piano removals service?
Our standard piano removals service includes planning, protective wrapping, safe handling, secure transport and careful placement in the new location. We provide the necessary equipment such as dollies, padded blankets, straps and, where required, a piano skid board. Floor and banister protection is included when needed to prevent marks or damage. What is not included as standard are services like tuning, long-term storage, structural alterations or crane lifts, though we can often help arrange these. Everything that is and is not included will be clearly listed in your written quote.
How is your service different from a basic man-and-van?
A basic man-and-van service is usually geared towards general furniture transport and may not have the specialist equipment, training or insurance needed for safe piano handling. At Merton Movers, our crews are trained in piano removals, we use purpose-designed equipment, and we carry appropriate insurance. We also carry out proper access checks and plan the move route in advance. This reduces the risk of injury, damage to your property, or costly harm to the piano’s internal components – all issues that can arise when a piano is moved without the correct expertise.
How far in advance should I book a piano removal?
Where possible, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially if you need a specific date or time, or if the move involves a grand piano or complex access. This allows time for a proper survey, planning and coordination with any other services you may be using. That said, we understand that last-minute needs arise, and we will always try to help on shorter notice if our schedule allows. The earlier you contact us with full details, the more options we will usually be able to offer.