Moving a piano into a flat or apartment

Moving a piano into a flat is the access challenge that comes up most often in London. The piano may be straightforward to move but the building, the staircase and the street outside add layers of complexity that need working through before the day.

The information you need to gather before booking

The most useful thing you can do before booking is to walk the route yourself. Stand at the front door and think about the width of each section: the entrance, the hallway, any corridor turns, the lift if there is one, and the door to your flat itself. A standard upright piano is roughly 150cm wide and 60cm deep. A baby grand with the legs off and the body standing on its side on a skid board is a different shape again.

The online quote at book.pianospeed.com asks about the floor level and whether there is a lift. That information is what determines the stair charge and the method. Be accurate: the price you see is based on what you enter, and if the reality on the day is different, the cost may need to be adjusted.

Lifts: will the piano fit?

The first question about a lift is whether it is large enough. Many period mansion blocks have older cage lifts with limited internal dimensions. A standard upright, standing vertically, is typically too tall for a residential lift. The piano may need to go up the stairs regardless.

For a grand being moved on its side on a skid board, a lift needs to be assessed individually. Some residential lifts are wide enough but not deep enough; others are the reverse. If you are unsure, measure the internal floor dimensions and the door width and share them when you book. We can then confirm the method before the day.

Stairs in flats: what to expect

Stairs in London flats vary from wide Edwardian flights with generous landings to cramped Victorian stairwells that narrow at every turn. The crew uses stair-climbers and piano-specific dollies for controlled handling, but there are stairways where a standard approach will not work, and these need to be identified in advance.

For upper-floor flats where the piano simply cannot go up the interior staircase, the solution is a crane lift. The piano is lifted externally through a window or onto a balcony. We assess the access, confirm the method and include the crane cost in a revised quote. There are no surprises on the day if the access has been described accurately at the time of booking.

Parking and access in London flat buildings

Controlled parking zones cover most of central and inner London. The crew cannot legally stop and load in a restricted zone without a dispensation. For planned moves in zones with yellow lines, we organise a parking dispensation in advance. Tell us the street and the access point when you book so we can arrange this.

Some purpose-built flat blocks have loading bays or service entrances. If your building has one, tell us and we will use it. It is also worth checking with your building management whether a key-operated service lift requires advance notice.

Basement flats

Basement flats are common in Victorian terraces across London and some parts of Surrey. The piano goes down external steps or through a lightwell. The access point is usually narrower than a standard front door, and the steps are typically steep. Tell us about the external steps and the width of the access point when you book. For a grand going into a basement, we assess whether it needs to go in through the external coal-hole or lightwell, and plan the method accordingly.

Before the crew arrives

• Clear the route through the flat completely, including rugs, doormats and anything in the hallway
• Remove pictures and mirrors from walls that the piano will pass
• Check with building management whether any permission or notice is needed for a large delivery
• Make sure the parking arrangement is in place

For a fixed price on your flat move, go to book.pianospeed.com. Describe the access accurately and you will get a quote that reflects the real job. You can also call 020 7164 0000. PianoSpeed is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 77 reviews, all from real piano moves.