The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Moving a piano is one of the most demanding jobs in any house move. A standard upright weighs between 130 kg and 270 kg. A grand piano can reach 480 kg or more. Get it wrong and you risk a serious injury, a damaged instrument, or a ruined floor. This guide walks you through everything you need to know: preparation, the right equipment, safe lifting technique, what it costs, and the warning signs that tell you to call in professionals instead. If you are moving across a room or across the country, the steps below will help you do it safely.
To move a piano safely in the UK, you need a minimum of two to four people depending on the piano's weight, a piano board and dolly rated for the instrument's weight, thick moving blankets, heavy-duty straps, and a van large enough to carry the piano without tilting it. Measure all doorways and stairs in advance. Keep upright pianos vertical throughout the move. For a grand piano, remove the lid, music desk, and pedal lyre before moving. After the move, wait two to four weeks before tuning. For van hire or professional advice, call Giant Van on 020 3129 6180.
What You Need to Know Before Moving a Piano
Pianos are not just heavy. They are awkwardly shaped, have a high centre of gravity, and contain thousands of delicate internal components that can be damaged by vibration, tilting, or impact. Before you lift a single leg, you need to understand what type of piano you have and what challenges it brings.
An upright piano stands with the strings running vertically. It is the most common domestic type and sits flush against a wall. A baby grand or grand piano has a horizontal frame with the strings running lengthways. Its lid, legs, and lid prop are all removable parts that must be taken off before moving.
The floor matters too. Hardwood and laminate floors scratch easily under the weight of a piano. Stairs and tight corners add significant risk. If you live in a flat above the ground floor, or if the piano needs to go through a narrow doorway or up a flight of stairs, the job becomes considerably more complex.
One point people often overlook is tuning. Any piano moved across a significant distance or subject to temperature and humidity changes will need retuning afterwards. Plan to have a piano tuner visit within four to six weeks of the move. This does not affect safety during the move itself, but it is worth budgeting for from the outset.
Finally, measure everything before moving day. Measure the piano, every doorway it needs to pass through, and any staircase or lift it will travel in. A piano that does not fit through a doorway must be tilted or disassembled, and that requires specialist knowledge.
Step-by-Step: How to Move a Piano
Skipping any stage increases the risk of injury or damage.
Check that every doorway is wide enough. Most upright pianos are between 148 cm and 160 cm wide and around 60 cm deep. Standard UK interior doors are 762 mm wide. If the clearance is tight, remove the door from its hinges to gain an extra 5 cm.
Wrap the piano fully in thick moving blankets and secure them with packing tape or moving straps. This protects the finish and prevents the lid from opening during transit. For a grand piano, remove the lid, the music desk, and the pedal lyre before wrapping.
Tip the piano onto its side with at least three people supporting it. Rest it on a padded board, then unscrew each leg. Keep all bolts in a labelled bag.
Tip the upright piano back slightly and slide the board underneath. For a grand on its side, strap it to the board with the keyboard end facing the wider end of the board.
Assign one person per side, plus one at the rear to steer. Move slowly. Keep the piano close to the ground. If using a piano dolly, ensure all four wheels are locked before repositioning your grip.
Secure the piano firmly inside the van using load straps so it cannot shift during transit. Drive smoothly and avoid sharp braking.
Expert Tips for Moving a Piano Without Damage
Apply them regardless of if you are moving the piano yourself or overseeing a removal team.
Anything heavier than 180 kg needs at least four. Fatigue sets in quickly and that is when accidents happen.
This prevents scratches and gives the dolly wheels a more even surface to roll on.
Always keep it vertical or as close to vertical as possible.
This keeps the heavier iron plate at the rear, which makes the instrument more stable.
Humidity causes the soundboard to swell and can warp the case. If you must move in wet weather, double-wrap with plastic sheeting beneath the blankets.
Temperature and humidity changes affect the pin block, and tuning too soon means it will go flat again within days.
A grand piano often requires a larger vehicle. Contact Giant Van on if you are unsure which van size you need.
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Get a Free Quote →Piano Moving Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure nothing is missed before, during, and after your move.
**Before moving day:** - Measure the piano (width, depth, height) - Measure all doorways, hallways, and stairwells on the route - Arrange enough people (minimum 2 for small upright, 4 or more for larger pianos) - Book the right size removal van - Gather all equipment (see tools section below) - Protect floors along the entire route - Remove any furniture or rugs from the path - Check whether the piano needs to be disassembled (grand pianos: remove lid, legs, pedal lyre)
**On moving day:** - Close and lock the keyboard lid - Wrap the piano fully in moving blankets and secure with tape or straps - Position the piano board correctly beneath the instrument - Strap the piano firmly to the board - Move at a steady pace, communicating clearly with your team - Use a van ramp rated for the piano's weight - Secure the piano inside the van with load straps
**After the move:** - Position the piano away from radiators, exterior walls, and windows - Allow two weeks for the piano to acclimatise - Book a piano tuner for four to six weeks after moving - Check the finish for any scratches or damage - Test the keys and pedals to confirm nothing has shifted internally
If any keys stick, notes buzz, or pedals feel loose after the move, contact a piano technician rather than attempting to adjust the mechanism yourself.
Tools and Equipment You Need to Move a Piano
Having the right equipment is not optional.
Trying to move a piano with furniture dollies or standard moving straps is how injuries happen. Here is what you actually need.
**Piano board (piano skid).** This is a reinforced flat board, typically 180 cm long and rated to carry 300 kg or more.
It has integrated strap slots and is designed specifically for securing a piano on its side. Hire one from a specialist removal equipment supplier.
**Piano dolly.** A four-wheeled dolly with a low platform and locking castors.
Choose one rated for at least 400 kg. The lockable wheels are essential: they prevent the piano from rolling while you reposition your grip.
**Heavy-duty moving straps.** Also called furniture straps or forearm forklifts.
These distribute weight across the shoulders and forearms rather than the hands, which reduces lower-back strain. You will need at least four rated to at least 250 kg each.
**Moving blankets.** A minimum of four thick moving blankets to wrap the piano fully.
Thin blankets will shift during transit and leave the finish exposed.
When to Hire a Professional Piano Removal Company
There are situations where hiring professionals is the sensible choice, not an extravagance.
Knowing where that line sits will save you from a costly mistake.
**Hire a professional when:**
Your piano weighs more than 200 kg.
Heavy uprights and all grand pianos fall into this category. A small team of non-specialists attempting to move a 250 kg instrument up a staircase is a recipe for injury.
There are stairs involved.
Moving a piano on stairs requires stair-climbing equipment, a coordinated team, and experience reading how a piano will balance at each tread. One misjudgement and the instrument can slide and trap a hand or foot.
The piano needs to leave through a window or balcony.
Some older properties have pianos that were installed before the layout was finalised and cannot exit through any internal route. Crane lifting a piano is highly specialised work.
You are moving a valuable or antique instrument.
A Steinway grand, a Victorian cottage upright, or any instrument worth more than £5,000 should be handled by a company with specific piano removal experience and adequate insurance.
You do not have the right number of people available.
If you cannot guarantee a minimum of four people for anything heavier than a small upright, book professionals.
If you are moving the piano as part of a larger house move, consider booking a removal company that has piano moving experience.
Giant Van can handle piano moves as part of a full removal. Call to discuss your specific requirements and get an accurate quote.
Questions about your move?
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano in the UK?
Piano moving costs vary depending on the type of piano, the distance involved, whether stairs are present, and if you are moving it yourself or hiring professionals.
**DIY piano move costs:**
Van hire for a day typically costs between £60 and £130 depending on vehicle size and your location. Equipment hire (piano board, dolly, straps) can add £40 to £80 per day. If you need to pay helpers, budget for their time at a fair rate. A DIY move across town might cost £150 to £300 all in, but only if everything goes smoothly.
**Professional piano removal costs:**
A specialist piano mover for a straightforward local move (same town, no stairs) typically charges between £150 and £300 for an upright piano. Stairs, distance, or a grand piano push the price higher. Moving a grand piano within the same city, including disassembly and reassembly, often costs between £300 and £600. For long-distance moves or specialist instruments, prices can exceed £800.
**What affects the price:** - Type of piano (upright vs baby grand vs full grand) - Number of flights of stairs - Distance between collection and delivery points - Ease of access (parking, lifts, narrow doorways) - Whether disassembly or crane lifting is required - Time of year (summer moves tend to cost more due to demand)
Always get at least two written quotes before booking. Ask whether the quoted price includes VAT, and whether the company carries specific insurance for piano damage during transit. A cheaper quote that excludes insurance is rarely worth the saving if something goes wrong.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving a Piano
Many of them happen because people underestimate the job.
A piano that does not fit through a doorway on the day of the move creates a serious problem. Measure every opening on the route well before moving day.
A piano can slip off a furniture dolly and fall in seconds. Use a proper piano dolly with locking wheels.
Always keep an upright vertical during a move.
Most moves need four. If someone drops out on moving day, postpone rather than attempt it understaffed.
Always lock it before wrapping.
Wrap in plastic sheeting if there is any chance of rain.
Position the piano on an interior wall away from direct heat or cold.
Upright Piano vs Grand Piano: Moving Differences
It does not need to be disassembled before moving and can be placed directly onto a piano board and dolly. It is the more manageable of the two types, though it is still extremely heavy.
The lid, music desk, and pedal lyre are removed first. The piano is then tipped onto its side, rested on a padded piano board, and the legs are unscrewed. The instrument travels on its side and is reassembled in the new location.
It also costs significantly more to hire professionals for. If you have a grand piano, professional removal is almost always the right choice unless the move is within the same room.
Moving a piano takes planning, the right equipment, and enough people who know what they are doing.
The steps in this guide will carry you safely through a straightforward move.
If you hit any of the complications described above, such as stairs, a grand piano, or a tight doorway, seriously consider booking a professional team.
The cost of getting it wrong is far higher than the cost of expert help.
If you need a van for your piano move, Giant Van has vehicles to suit every size of instrument.
Call us on 020 3129 6180 to find the right van and get a quote that fits your move.
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The Complete Step-by-Step Guide — FAQs
How many people do you need to move a piano?
Can you move a piano in a standard transit van?
Do you need to tune a piano after moving it?
Is it safe to move a piano on its side?
What size van do I need to move a piano?
How do you move a piano up or down stairs?
How long does it take to move a piano?
What is the best way to protect a piano during a move?
Reviewed by Giant Van Editorial Team, Content Reviewer at Giant Van
Giant Van Ltd. Registered in England & Wales.
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