Piano Removals

Piano Removals in Balham by Experienced Specialists

At Balham Movers, we provide careful, specialist piano removals for homes, businesses and institutions across Balham and the surrounding areas. Moving a piano safely is very different to moving standard furniture. It requires the right equipment, trained hands and a clear plan from door to door.

With years of hands-on experience moving upright, baby grand and grand pianos, our professional crews know how to protect your instrument, your property and everyone involved in the move.

What Our Piano Removals Service Includes

Our piano removals service is designed around the specific type, size and location of your instrument. Each move is planned in advance so there are no surprises on the day.

Types of pianos we move

• Upright pianos – all sizes, including tall uprights and consoles
• Baby grand pianos
• Grand pianos and larger instruments (by prior survey)
• Digital pianos and stage pianos on stands

What is included

• Pre-move assessment and access check
• Specialist piano dollies, skids and moving boards
• Protective blankets, covers and strapping
• Door frame, floor and banister protection where required
• Safe loading into our vehicles with ramps and securing systems
• Transport to your new address or storage facility
• Careful placement in the new room, as agreed with you

What is excluded

• Internal tuning or repairs (we can recommend local tuners)
• Crating for international shipping (available via separate arrangement)
• Removal of built-in fixtures or structural alterations
• Moving severely damaged or unsafe instruments without prior inspection

If you are unsure whether your instrument is covered, we are happy to advise during the initial enquiry.

Local Piano Moving Expertise in Balham

Balham and the surrounding South West London area present a mix of Victorian terraces, mansion blocks and modern apartments. Many properties have tight staircases, split-level access and limited parking. Our team moves pianos in this environment every week.

We understand residents’ parking bays, red routes and controlled hours, and we plan access and vehicle positioning accordingly. Where needed, we liaise with building managers or concierge teams in apartment blocks to agree safe routes and lift use.

Because we are local, we can also respond quickly to short-notice requests and urgent moves within Balham and nearby districts.

Who Our Piano Removals Service Is For

• Homeowners – moving house, renovating, or passing a family piano to the next generation.
• Renters – relocating between flats, often with awkward stairs and limited lift access.
• Landlords – needing a piano removed or relocated between properties.
• Businesses – including schools, churches, music studios, theatres and event venues.
• Students – music students moving between term-time and home addresses, or into new accommodation.

Whether the piano is a valuable performance instrument or a much-loved family piece, we treat it with the same level of care.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Quote

You contact us with basic details: type of piano, collection and delivery addresses, floor levels, lift access and any time constraints. From this, we provide an initial estimate. For straightforward upright moves, this is often all that is needed for a fixed price quote.

2. Survey (Virtual or Onsite)

For larger pianos or complex access, we arrange a short video survey or an onsite visit. We check stair widths, turns, doorways, parking and any obstacles. This allows us to confirm the number of movers needed, equipment required and the final price, so you know exactly what to expect.

3. Packing & Preparation

On moving day, we protect the piano and the route out of the property. The instrument is wrapped with thick removal blankets and, where appropriate, additional covers. For grand and baby grand pianos, legs and pedals may be removed and wrapped separately. Floors, bannisters and door frames are protected as needed to prevent scuffs or damage.

4. Loading & Transport

The piano is lifted using correct techniques onto our specialist piano dolly or skid, then carefully manoeuvred along the planned route. We use ramps for steps and vehicle access. Inside the vehicle, the piano is securely strapped and blocked to prevent movement in transit. Our vehicles are purpose-equipped for safe, secure transport.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the new address, we reverse the process, following the agreed route to the chosen room. We position the piano where you want it, making small adjustments so you are happy with the final placement. We then remove all our equipment and materials, leaving your property tidy.

Transparent Piano Removals Pricing

Every piano move is slightly different, but our pricing is always clear and agreed in advance. Costs are based on:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, grand)
• Number of floors and complexity of access
• Distance between addresses
• Parking or access restrictions
• Any additional services, such as storage

We provide a fixed price wherever possible so you can budget with confidence. There are no hidden extras for standard moves – any potential surcharges (for example, very difficult access requiring extra labour) are discussed and agreed before you book.

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

Attempting to move a piano without the right equipment and experience can lead to serious injury, property damage and damage to the instrument itself. Pianos are heavy but also delicately balanced, with much of the weight high up.

A casual man-and-van service may not carry goods in transit insurance suitable for pianos, or the protective materials and skids needed to handle them properly. By using our trained teams and specialist equipment, you reduce the risk of costly accidents and ensure that, if something unexpected happens, you are properly covered.

Professional piano removals give you peace of mind that the move will be managed safely from start to finish.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Balham Movers operates to clear professional standards for all piano moves.

• Goods in transit insurance – your piano is insured while it is in our care and on our vehicles, up to agreed limits.
• Public liability cover – protection in the unlikely event of damage to third-party property or injury attributable to our work.
• Trained moving teams – our crews receive ongoing training in manual handling, safe lifting and piano-specific techniques.

We are happy to provide confirmation of cover and answer any questions about limits and terms before you book.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

We treat every piano as if it were our own. That means careful planning, calm working methods and clear communication throughout. Protective covers, blankets, straps and floor protectors are used as standard.

We also consider our environmental impact. We maintain our vehicles regularly for efficiency, plan routes to minimise unnecessary mileage and reuse durable protective materials wherever possible. When we do need to use disposable materials, we aim for recyclable or biodegradable options and dispose of waste responsibly.

Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases

Moving House

For households moving within Balham or further afield, we can integrate your piano move into a full house removal or handle it as a standalone service. We coordinate timings so the piano is loaded and delivered at sensible points in the day, away from the busiest parts of your move.

Office, School and Studio Relocations

We regularly move pianos for schools, churches, rehearsal rooms and recording studios. These moves often involve coordination with caretakers, limited time windows and awkward access. We work around your timetable and handle the logistics so that teaching or rehearsal can resume quickly.

Urgent or Short-Notice Moves

Occasionally, pianos need to be moved at short notice – for example, end-of-tenancy dates, last-minute property completions or urgent building works. Where our schedule allows, we offer same-day or next-day piano removal slots within Balham and nearby areas. Contact us as early as you can and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal cost?

The cost of a piano removal depends mainly on the type of piano, access at each property and the distance between addresses. A straightforward ground-floor upright move within Balham will be at the lower end of our pricing, while multi-floor or grand piano moves are more involved and therefore higher. After a short discussion, and where needed a quick survey, we provide a clear fixed price with no hidden extras for standard work. This allows you to know the full cost before you commit to a booking.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

Same-day or very short-notice piano removals are sometimes possible, particularly within Balham and neighbouring areas, but they depend on our existing schedule and crew availability. Because piano moves require specific equipment and experienced staff, we cannot guarantee an emergency slot, but we will always try to help. If we can fit you in safely, we will confirm the time, price and any access requirements straight away so you can make a quick decision.

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, from the moment we start handling it at collection to final placement at the delivery address. We also hold public liability cover in case of accidental damage to property or third parties. As with any insurance, there are terms and limits, which we are happy to explain and confirm in writing on request. If you have a particularly high-value instrument, let us know so we can discuss appropriate cover.

What is included in your piano removals service?

Our service includes planning, protective wrapping, safe handling from room to vehicle, secure transport and careful placement in the new location. We bring all required equipment, including piano dollies, skids, blankets, straps and ramps. For grand and baby grand pianos, we also handle removal and reattachment of legs and pedals where needed. What is not included are tuning, repairs or structural works to the building. If additional services, such as temporary storage, are required, we will explain any extra costs clearly before you book.

Why use a specialist piano removal company instead of a man-and-van?

A specialist piano removal company brings specific training, equipment and insurance that many general man-and-van operators simply do not have. Pianos are heavy, awkward and fragile, and moving them without the correct techniques can easily cause damage to the instrument, your property or the people involved. Our crews are trained in piano handling, use purpose-designed skids and dollies, and our vehicles are set up to secure pianos properly. This greatly reduces risk and offers far better protection for your piano.

How far in advance should I book my piano removal?

For the best choice of dates and times, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially if you need to coordinate with a house move or other services. That said, we understand that moves are not always confirmed that early, so we will always try to accommodate shorter notice where our schedule allows. If you have a specific completion date, school term start or event, contact us as soon as you know so we can reserve a suitable slot for your piano.