Piano moving service in London
Delicate instrument relocations handled with care and precision
We move upright and baby grand pianos, grandfather clocks, antiques, and other large valuables across London. Every move is assessed individually, fully wrapped, and handled by an experienced team with the right equipment for the job.
Consistently highly rated on Google, Trustpilot, and Removal Reviews
Recognised for 11 years of exemplary service and zero compensation claims
Established since 2011
Over 15 years of removals and man and van work across every London borough
Fully insured
Goods in Transit and public liability cover on every booking, regardless of job size
Professional piano and antique moving across London
Moving a piano or a valuable antique is not the same as moving a sofa. These items are heavy, irreplaceable in many cases, and vulnerable to damage from poor handling, inadequate wrapping, or the wrong approach on stairs and tight turns.
Best London Removals has been carrying out specialist piano and antique moves across London since 2011. As a member of the National Guild of Removers and Storers and a 2026 award winner, including the Perfect Record Award for zero compensation claims across 11 years, every move we carry out is backed by genuine accountability and comprehensive insurance cover.
We assess every piano or antique move individually. The quote you receive is based on the actual instrument, the actual access at both properties, and the actual team size needed, not a standard rate that may or may not be appropriate for your situation.
- Full wrapping and protective covering from collection to delivery
- Specialist straps, piano dollies, and lifting equipment
- Stair carries handled with correct team size
- Fully insured, fixed-price quotes
Planning your piano or antique move in London
Access and property details
The first thing we need to understand is the access at both the collection and delivery addresses. How many stairs are involved, how tight are the turns at each landing, how wide are the doorways, and is there a direct route from the room to the street or does the piano need to navigate a long corridor or communal hallway.
All of this is assessed before we confirm your quote and allocate your team.
For antiques such as grandfather clocks and large cabinets, we need to understand height, fragility of any decorative elements, and whether any partial dismantling is involved. We discuss all of this at the assessment stage.
Team size and why it matters
Piano moving is one of the few jobs where getting the team size wrong can cause real damage, to the instrument, to your property, or to our team. A heavy upright piano being carried down a flight of stairs requires a different number of people than a ground floor move using a piano dolly on a flat surface.
We allocate the team size based on what the job actually requires. A straightforward ground floor move with good access may need two people and a dolly. A heavy upright on a second floor Victorian staircase may need four.
The team size directly affects the price, and we explain this clearly in the quote so you understand exactly what you are paying for and why.
Parking and access on moving day
In London, parking directly outside the property is rarely guaranteed. If your street is permit-controlled, a parking suspension may be needed to ensure our vehicle can park close enough for a safe, short carry.
For pianos and antiques in particular, a long carry distance significantly increases handling risk. We advise on what is needed for your specific street as part of the pre-move planning.
Read our full parking suspension guide
How we handle and protect your piano
Full wrapping and protective covering
Every piano we move is fully wrapped before it leaves the room. We use piano covers, moving blankets, and a full layer of protective film, secured with straps. The keyboard is protected, the pedals are covered, and the casing is wrapped to avoid any scratches or impact marks during transit.
Specialist equipment
We use piano dollies for ground floor and lift-accessible moves, allowing controlled, smooth movement with minimal effort on the instrument.
For stair carries where a dolly cannot be used, we use lifting straps and a correctly sized team to carry the piano safely by hand, step by step, with full control throughout.
Stair carries
Stairs are the most common challenge in a London piano move. Victorian terraces, mansion blocks, and period conversions regularly have steep, narrow staircases with tight turns at the top.
We assess the staircase in advance, plan the carry route, allocate the right number of people, and take the stairs at a steady, controlled pace. Nothing is rushed.
Secure transport
Once the piano is loaded onto the vehicle, it is secured against movement using straps and padding.
A piano that shifts in transi, even slightly, can cause internal damage to the mechanism. We load and secure every piano as carefully as we wrap it.
Antiques and large valuables
Alongside pianos, we regularly move grandfather clocks, large antique furniture, heavy mirrors, and other valuables that require extra care and specialist handling.
Antique furniture and large mirrors
Heavy antique furniture, large gilded mirrors, and other fragile or irreplaceable pieces are handled with the same approach as pianos, full assessment, correct team size, full wrapping, and careful placement at the destination. If you are unsure whether a specific item falls within this service, call us and we will advise.
Grandfather clocks
A grandfather clock needs to be partially prepared before moving, the pendulum, weights, and any loose elements should be removed and packed separately before we arrive. We advise on this when you book.
The case itself is fully wrapped and transported upright where possible. We take particular care with ornate carved cases and painted dials.
Step-by-step
How your piano or antique move works, step by step
Our process is straightforward, clearly communicated, and built around your specific property and requirements.
1
Pre-move assessment
We confirm the type of instrument or item, assess access at both properties, check stair dimensions and route, and allocate the correct team size and equipment. This is how we make sure the quote is accurate and the plan is realistic.
2
Your fixed quote
Within 24 hours you receive a clear, itemised written quote. Fixed price, not an open-ended estimate. The quote covers everything agreed, with no additions on the day.
3
Booking confirmation
We confirm your date, start time, and team. If a parking suspension is needed for your street, we advise on the application at this stage.
4
Move day
We arrive on time, protect the instrument fully before moving it, carry it safely to the vehicle, transport it securely, and place it carefully at your destination.
Insurance, responsibility, and peace of mind
Goods in transit and public liability cover
We carry comprehensive goods in transit and public liability insurance on every move. Your piano or antique is covered during handling, loading, transport, and unloading. If you have a particularly high-value instrument or piece, let us know in advance so we can discuss appropriate packing and handling.
NGRS Award Winner 2026
Best London Removals is a member of the National Guild of Removers & Storers (NGRS) — the UK’s leading trade body for removal and storage companies.
Best London Removals holds three NGRS awards for 2026: the Super Elite Plus Remover Award for 11 years of exemplary service, the Perfect Record Award for zero compensation claims across our full 11 years of NGRS membership, and the Professional Standards Commitment Award.
Clear communication before and during your move
Most problems during specialist moves come from poor planning, not the physical work itself. We get the details right upfront, access, team size, timing, parking , and keep you informed throughout.
If anything changes on the day, you will hear about it immediately.
Why choose Best London Removals
691+ reviews across Google, Trustpilot, and Removal Reviews
Super Elite Plus Remover Award, Perfect Record Award (zero claims in 11 years), and Professional Standards Commitment Award. Independently verified
Over 15 years of removals and man and van work across every London borough
Written, itemised, and valid for 30 days. No changes on the day
Goods in Transit and public liability cover on every booking, regardless of job size
Access, stairs, parking, and team size confirmed before the day
We advise on the correct team size. You do not pay for more than you need
Weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays to fit your dates
Where we operate
Areas we cover across London
We carry out piano and antique moves across all London boroughs from our base in Ruislip, West London.
West London
Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow, Brent, Harrow
Central London
Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden, Islington
North London
Barnet, Enfield, Haringey
South West London
Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Wandsworth
Get a free quote for piano moving service
Tell us about your instrument or item, the access at both properties, and your preferred date, and we will come back with a clear, fixed written quote.
Piano and antique moving FAQs
We know that moving a piano raises many questions, especially when it involves stairs, tight access, or long distances. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common queries we receive about our specialist piano moving service.
What types of pianos do you move?
We move upright pianos and baby grand pianos. Both types are fully wrapped and handled with specialist equipment.
The access at your property and the size and weight of the instrument determine the team size and approach, we assess this individually for every job.
How much does it cost to move a piano in London?
The cost depends on the type of piano, the access at both properties, the number of stairs involved, and the team size required. A straightforward ground floor move with good access requires fewer people than a heavy upright on a second floor staircase.
We provide a fixed written quote after assessing your specific situation, we do not give standard rates that may not reflect what is actually involved.
Can you move a piano up or down stairs?
Yes. Stair carries are common on London piano moves and we handle them regularly. The approach depends on the staircase, where a dolly can be used we use one, where the carry must be done by hand we allocate the correct team size and use lifting straps.
How is my piano protected during the move?
Your piano is fully wrapped before it leaves the room. We use specialist piano covers, moving blankets, and a protective film layer secured with straps. The piano is secured in the vehicle to prevent any movement during transit. Nothing is loaded unwrapped.
Do you move grandfather clocks and antiques?
Yes. We can move grandfather clocks, large antique furniture, heavy mirrors, and other large valuables.
Will you tune my piano after moving it?
No. Piano tuning after a move is always recommended but needs to be arranged separately with a qualified piano tuner. Moving a piano, even with the greatest care, can affect the tuning due to changes in position, temperature, and humidity.
We advise allowing the piano to settle for a few days in its new location before tuning.
Is the piano move insured?
Yes. We carry comprehensive goods in transit and public liability insurance on every move. Your piano or antique is covered during handling, loading, transport, and unloading.
If you have a particularly high value instrument, let us know in advance so we can discuss the appropriate level of care and handling.
Can you move a piano as part of a full house removal?
Yes. If your move involves a piano alongside furniture, boxes, and other household items, we plan the piano as part of the overall move.
The piano is usually the first item loaded and the last unloaded to minimise handling time and risk. We confirm this approach as part of the pre-move planning.