At Richmond upon Thames Removals, we provide specialist piano removals throughout Richmond upon Thames and the surrounding areas. Moving a piano safely is a skilled job – it calls for the right equipment, careful planning, and an experienced team who understand how pianos are built and how easily they can be damaged.
We move pianos every week for homeowners, landlords, schools, churches and professional musicians. Whether it’s an upright in a first-floor flat or a baby grand in a riverside townhouse, we treat every instrument with the same level of care and respect.
A piano is heavy, delicate and awkwardly shaped. Internal components are finely balanced, and any knock, twist or tilt can cause damage that is expensive to put right. Our specialist service is designed to protect both the instrument and your property from start to finish.
Our professional piano removals team uses purpose-built equipment: padded piano covers, piano skids and dollies, webbing straps, stair climbers where appropriate, and protective floor coverings. Where necessary, we coordinate with trusted piano technicians for partial dismantling and reassembly of grands and concert grands.
Working locally across Richmond upon Thames means we know the streets, the parking restrictions and the quirks of local properties – from Victorian terraces and mansion blocks to riverside apartments and period townhouses. This local knowledge allows us to plan access, protect communal areas and liaise with neighbours or building managers where required.
We regularly move pianos within Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, Kew and nearby districts, as well as to and from other parts of London and the UK.
Whether your move is planned months ahead or you need urgent help because another company has let you down, we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
We can safely move most types of piano, including:
There are some limitations for safety and insurance reasons:
We will always be honest with you: if a move cannot be completed safely, we will explain clearly and discuss alternatives.
Contact us by phone, email or via our website with basic details: piano type, current location, destination, access (stairs, lifts, parking) and preferred dates. We provide a clear, no-obligation quotation outlining what’s included. For straightforward upright moves, a detailed description and photos are often sufficient.
For more complex jobs, such as grand pianos or difficult access, we’ll carry out a virtual or onsite survey. We assess measurements, staircases, turns, floor surfaces and parking. This ensures we send the right number of trained movers and the correct equipment, and that you know exactly what to expect on moving day.
On the day, our team protects your piano and property before any lifting begins. We apply padded covers, protect pedals and lids, and where required, remove legs and lyres on grands. Floors, bannisters and door frames are covered as needed. We plan the route carefully to avoid tight corners and obstacles.
Your piano is then carefully lifted onto a piano skid or wheeled dolly, secured with webbing straps and loaded into our purpose-equipped vehicle using ramps or tail-lifts. Inside the vehicle, the instrument is fully secured to prevent movement during transit. Our vehicles are covered by goods in transit insurance and driven by experienced removals drivers.
At the destination we unload with the same care, positioning the piano exactly where you want it, subject to access and floor load considerations. We remove all protective materials and carry out a final check with you before leaving. For grand pianos, we reattach legs and lyre and ensure the instrument is stable and ready for tuning.
We believe in clear, honest pricing with no hidden extras. Piano removals are usually priced based on:
Your quote will detail what is included in the price. If anything changes – for example, additional flights of stairs not originally mentioned – we’ll discuss it with you in advance wherever possible, so you remain in control of costs.
A piano move can quickly go wrong without proper training and equipment. DIY attempts and casual man-and-van services often lack specialist kit, insurance or understanding of internal piano mechanisms. The result can be damage to your instrument, your floors and walls, or even personal injury.
By choosing a professional removals company, you benefit from:
The cost difference is often modest compared with the potential cost of damage or injury.
Richmond upon Thames Removals operates to high professional standards backed by comprehensive insurance:
Policy details and limits are available on request. We are always happy to explain exactly how cover applies to your particular move.
Our focus is on safeguarding your instrument and your property while minimising our environmental impact. We use reusable padded covers, re-usable floor protection and durable moving equipment to reduce waste. Routes are planned efficiently to cut unnecessary mileage and emissions.
Within your home or premises, we take time to protect floors, skirting, door frames and communal areas. Where we supply any disposable materials, we aim for recyclable or responsibly sourced products wherever possible.
We regularly move pianos as part of a full house move or as a standalone job. We can coordinate timings with your main removal so the piano is handled by a dedicated team with the right equipment.
From school halls to church organs and pianos in hotel or restaurant settings, we work with facilities managers and administrators to minimise disruption, often arranging moves outside busy hours.
Sometimes dates change, sales complete early or landlords need properties cleared quickly. Where our schedule allows, we can provide same-day or next-day piano removals in Richmond upon Thames and nearby areas.
The cost depends mainly on the type of piano, access at each address and the distance between properties. Upright pianos on ground-floor to ground-floor moves are generally the most economical, while grands, multiple flights of stairs or awkward access add to the price due to extra labour and time. Once we know the details and have seen photos or completed a survey, we provide a clear fixed or itemised quote. There are no hidden charges, and we’ll explain any factors that might affect the final cost in advance.
Where our diary allows, we can usually accommodate short-notice or even same-day piano removals within Richmond upon Thames and nearby areas. Availability depends on existing bookings and how complex your move is – for example, an upright with straightforward access is easier to fit in at short notice than a large grand with multiple flights of stairs. The best approach is to call us as soon as you know you need the move, and we’ll let you know what options we have and any time windows available.
Yes. Your piano is covered by our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care, including loading, transport and unloading. In addition, our public liability cover protects against accidental damage to your property or injury to third parties caused by our work. We always handle instruments as if they were our own, but insurance provides extra peace of mind. We’re happy to confirm cover levels in writing and answer any specific questions you may have about how insurance applies to your particular move.
Our service includes professional handling by a trained team, all necessary protective covers and securing equipment, careful loading and unloading, and safe transport between addresses. We protect floors and key areas of your property as required and place the piano in your chosen position where access allows. For grands, basic dismantling and reassembly (legs and lyre) are included if needed. Additional services, such as storage, crane lifts via partners, or coordination with piano tuners or technicians, can be arranged and will be clearly itemised in your quote.
Most general man-and-van operators do not have the specialist equipment, training or insurance needed to move pianos safely. A piano is not just a heavy item; it is a finely balanced instrument with delicate internal parts. Incorrect lifting, strapping or positioning can cause structural damage or put people at risk of injury. A specialist removals company brings experience, appropriate vehicles, protective materials and proper insurance. The additional cost is usually modest compared with the financial and emotional cost of damage to a cherished instrument.
For planned moves, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks in advance, especially during busy periods such as month-end, school holidays and weekends. This gives us time to survey access if required and schedule the right team for your job. However, we understand that moves are not always predictable, and we keep some flexibility for urgent requests. Even if your date is close, it’s always worth contacting us – we’ll do our best to find a suitable slot or offer alternative options.
