Piano moving costs explained: what you pay for and why

Piano moves start from £125, and the first question most people have is what that money actually pays for. The short answer: a specialist crew trained for piano handling, purpose-built transit equipment, insurance to the value of the instrument, and a fixed price that does not change between booking and delivery. You can get an instant fixed quote now at book.pianospeed.com.

What the price covers

A piano move is not a furniture lift with a bigger budget. The price for a specialist move covers several things that a general removals quote does not include as standard:

• A trained specialist crew, not general labourers picking up piano work between other jobs
• Purpose-built skid boards, fitted transit covers and padded bags specific to piano dimensions and weight
• Transit insurance to the declared value of the instrument
• A fixed price confirmed at booking, not subject to access surcharges discovered on the day

Each of those is worth understanding before you book, especially if you are comparing specialist and general removal quotes side by side.

The crew

When a PianoSpeed team arrives, everyone on the crew handles pianos as their primary work. They understand how an upright is balanced, how a grand piano is broken down for transit with legs off, pedal lyre removed and lid board lifted and padded, and how to walk an instrument through tight stairwells and awkward corridors without damaging the piano or the walls of the property.

A standard upright move uses two or three crew depending on access. A baby grand or full grand typically uses three or four. A concert grand needs a larger team and sometimes a crane lift when the staircase route is not viable. The crew size is priced into the fixed quote you see at booking, so there are no surprises when the team turns up.

The equipment

Specialist piano movers carry kit that a general removals firm does not have:

• Heavy-duty skid boards fixed to the base of the piano, allowing it to slide in a controlled way and providing a stable base during loading
• Triple-thickness fitted transit covers shaped for piano dimensions rather than general furniture blankets
• Padded individual bags for legs, pedal lyre and lid board on grand pianos
• Instrument-rated trolleys, not standard furniture dollies rated for lighter loads
• Covered vehicles with interior securing points to hold the piano against movement in transit

The difference between specialist packing and a blanket-and-strap wrap shows most clearly when something awkward happens during the move: a sharp corner in a hallway, an uneven step, a tight ramp into the vehicle. Properly wrapped and secured instruments come through those moments in far better condition.

Transit insurance

Every PianoSpeed move is covered by transit insurance to the value of the instrument. That insurance covers accidental damage or loss during the move itself, from the moment the crew begins loading to the moment the piano is placed and the crew departs.

For instruments above average value, tell the booking team the make, model and a declared value when you book. A Steinway, a Bosendorfer or a Fazioli warrants a specific conversation about cover before the move, not a claim conversation after something goes wrong. The online quote confirms that cover is included; for high-value instruments, call 020 7164 0000 before booking so the right level of cover is confirmed in advance.

Transit insurance does not cover damage that was present before the move, the cost of post-move tuning (which is a standard maintenance step after any piano move, not an insurance claim), or damage that occurs after the crew has left the delivery address.

Why stairs cost extra

Stair access is chargeable, and the cost is calculated automatically when you enter the property details in the instant quote at book.pianospeed.com. This is not an arbitrary surcharge. Moving a piano up a staircase requires additional crew members, takes longer, and involves techniques that differ from a ground-floor move. A 250kg upright being walked up a carpeted staircase needs four people positioned correctly with the right stair-climbing equipment, moving in a controlled sequence. That additional labour and that additional risk are reflected in the price.

If there is a lift at the delivery address, the relevant question is whether the piano actually fits inside it. Many residential and period-building lifts are too shallow or too narrow for even a compact upright. Give accurate information about access at both addresses when you book: floor levels, stair counts, and whether a working lift is present and large enough. The quote is specific to the details you provide.

Fixed pricing and what stays the same on the day

The price you see in the instant quote is the price you pay, provided the booking details are accurate. PianoSpeed does not apply access surcharges on the day that were not in the original quote, and there is no fuel surcharge added at the end. The fixed price at booking is the actual price.

The condition on that is accuracy at booking. If you enter a ground-floor collection but the piano is actually on the third floor with no lift, the job is different from the one quoted and the price changes to match. Describe the access accurately and the price you see is the price you pay.

Why specialist piano movers cost more than a general removal company

General removal firms charge less for piano moves because they approach the job as a large furniture item. The risk of that approach is that without specialist equipment and a trained crew, the probability of damage to the instrument, to the property, or a failed move where the piano cannot be safely navigated through a tight space is significantly higher than with a specialist.

For a piano worth several hundred or several thousand pounds, the additional cost of a specialist is a small proportion of what even a minor repair costs, and a fraction of what replacement costs. Beyond the financial calculation, specialist crews bring the judgment to handle a difficult job correctly when it goes off-script: a narrow Victorian staircase, a fragile antique case, a courtyard that needs the piano lifted overhead. Those situations are routine for a specialist and high-risk for a general removal team.

Frequently asked questions

Does the price include VAT?

The instant quote at book.pianospeed.com shows the price inclusive of all applicable taxes. There are no additional charges on top of the price shown at booking.

Is there a minimum charge?

Piano moves start from £125. The exact price depends on the instrument type, access at both addresses, distance, and the delivery date. The quickest way to see your actual price is the instant quote at book.pianospeed.com.

What if access is more difficult than I described when booking?

Tell the booking team before the move, not on the day. If the access is significantly different from what was described at booking, contact PianoSpeed in advance so the crew can be briefed and the quote can be updated if needed. On-day discoveries can delay the move and may affect the final price.

Can I get a price for a grand piano before I decide whether to move it?

Yes. The instant quote works for all piano types including baby grands, full grands and concert grands. Enter the piano type, both addresses and the floor level at each end and you will see a fixed price immediately.

Is transit insurance included, or do I need to arrange separate cover?

Transit insurance is included in every PianoSpeed move. For instruments above standard value, declare the make, model and value at booking so the cover can be confirmed at the correct level.

Getting your price

Piano moves start from £125. The instant quote at book.pianospeed.com covers uprights, baby grands, grands and concert grands across London, Greater London, Surrey and the GB mainland, with a Belfast to England lane. Enter the piano type, both addresses, the access details and your preferred date. The price is fixed at booking. PianoSpeed London Limited, 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ. Call 020 7164 0000. Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 77 reviews.