Piano Removals

Piano Removals Kensington – Specialist Piano Moving by Kensington Movers

Moving a piano is a job for specialists. At Kensington Movers, we provide safe, precise and fully managed piano removals across Kensington and the surrounding areas. With years of hands-on experience moving uprights, baby grands and concert grands in London homes, flats and venues, we know exactly how to protect your instrument, your property and your peace of mind.

Professional Piano Removals in Kensington

A piano is more than furniture – it is a delicate, finely balanced instrument. Our professional team combines specialist equipment with practical know‑how to plan every move in detail. We assess access, stairs, lifts, tight corners and parking before lifting a single key, so the removal is controlled from start to finish.

Whether you are moving a family heirloom, a performance instrument or a piano you have just purchased, we provide a tailored service that focuses on safety, stability and care at every stage.

Local Expertise in Kensington

Working daily in Kensington gives us a strong understanding of local challenges. From tall mansion blocks and period terraces to mews houses and busy main roads, we are used to awkward staircases, basement flats, controlled parking zones and strict building management rules.

We plan around local restrictions, arrange suitable parking, and liaise where necessary with concierge or building managers. Our crews are familiar with protecting high-value finishes, from polished parquet and marble floors to narrow communal corridors, which is essential in Kensington properties.

Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For

Our specialist piano removals are suitable for:

• Homeowners moving within Kensington or elsewhere, or placing a piano into storage.
• Renters relocating between flats, including upper floors with limited lift access.
• Landlords managing furnished properties with pianos that need moving, removing or relocating.
• Businesses such as schools, music studios, hotels, galleries and performance venues.
• Students at music colleges or universities needing term-time or end-of-year piano moves.

Whether you need a one-off move, a regular service for events, or help moving a piano into or out of storage, we can help.

What Our Piano Removal Service Includes

Items Typically Included

We can safely move most domestic and professional instruments, including:

• Upright pianos (standard, overstrung and tall uprights)
• Digital pianos and stage pianos
• Baby grand pianos
• Grand and concert grand pianos (subject to access and survey)
• Associated items such as stools, pedals, music stands and covers

Items and Services Typically Excluded

To keep the service safe and controlled, some items and tasks are normally excluded:

• Pianos with significant structural damage or severe instability (these may require specialist restoration first).
• Mechanical repairs, internal adjustments or tuning (we can recommend technicians, but we do not tune).
• Removal of windows, major building works or crane lifts beyond standard scope (these can be arranged with notice via specialist partners).
• Loose fragile ornaments or artwork – these should be packed separately before our team arrives.

If you have an unusual instrument or access concern, we will discuss it during the survey and confirm what is possible in writing.

Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process

1. Enquiry & Initial Quote

Contact us by phone or online with basic details: piano type, current and destination addresses, floor levels and any obvious access issues. Based on this, we provide an initial estimated price range and available dates. For most Kensington jobs we can offer clear guidance from the outset.

2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite

We then carry out a short virtual or onsite survey. This allows us to check staircases, lifts, door widths, parking and any tight turns. For grand pianos or complex access, an onsite visit is strongly recommended. The survey ensures we send the right team, correct equipment, and an accurate fixed quote.

3. Packing & Preparation

On moving day, our trained crew arrives with protective materials and piano skates or dollies. For uprights, we wrap the instrument in thick padded covers and protect floors and walls. For grands, we carefully remove legs and pedals where required, protect the lid and body, and secure everything for safe handling. We also protect door frames, bannisters and lifts as needed.

4. Loading & Transport

Using team lifting techniques, ramps and specialist equipment, we move the piano from property to vehicle in a controlled manner. The instrument is then securely strapped and chocked in our dedicated removal vehicle. Our fully insured transport includes goods in transit insurance, so your piano is protected throughout the journey.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we reverse the process with the same level of care. We position the piano in your chosen room, subject to access, and ensure it is level and stable. For grands, we refit legs and pedals and remove all protective coverings. We will also advise when it is sensible to book tuning (usually after the piano has settled in its new environment).

Transparent Piano Removal Pricing

We believe in clear, upfront pricing with no hidden extras. Piano removal costs in Kensington depend mainly on:

• Type and size of piano (upright, baby grand, full grand).
• Access conditions at both properties (stairs, lifts, distance to vehicle).
• Distance between addresses.
• Any special requirements (evening work, building time restrictions, extra protection).

After survey, you receive a written quotation that sets out exactly what is included. Any additional services, such as storage, disposal of unwanted pianos, or coordinating with crane partners, are itemised clearly so you can make an informed decision.

Why Use Professional Piano Movers Instead of DIY or Man-and-Van

A piano can weigh anywhere from 150kg to well over 400kg, and its weight is not evenly distributed. Attempting to move it with friends or a casual man-and-van can cause injury, damage to the instrument, and serious harm to floors, walls and staircases.

Our professional piano removal service provides:

• Specialist handling skills developed over many years.
• Correct lifting equipment and protective materials.
• Goods in transit insurance and public liability cover.
• Planned routes that reduce risk to people and property.

Using experts reduces stress, protects your instrument, and can often work out cheaper than repairing damage caused by an inexperienced move.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Every piano move we undertake is backed by appropriate insurance and high internal standards:

• Goods in transit insurance to cover your piano while it is in our care and on our vehicles.
• Public liability cover for accidental damage to third party property or injury.
• Trained moving teams who follow safe manual handling practices and use proven techniques.

We maintain our vehicles, regularly review our methods, and continuously train staff so that our service remains safe, reliable and compliant with industry expectations.

Care, Protection and Sustainable Practices

Protecting your piano is only part of our job. We also protect your home or workplace. We use floor protection, door and bannister covers, and clean, well-kept equipment. Corners and tight spaces are assessed before movement so we can adjust our approach if needed.

Where possible, we use reusable padded covers and durable materials instead of single-use plastics. Routes are planned efficiently to minimise unnecessary mileage. Old pianos that are beyond repair can, by arrangement, be taken to appropriate recycling or disposal facilities rather than sent directly to landfill.

Real-World Piano Removal Scenarios

Moving House

For full household moves within or from Kensington, we integrate the piano removal into your wider move plan. The instrument is usually handled first or last, ensuring there is clear space and time dedicated to it. This avoids rushed decisions on moving day.

Office, School and Venue Relocations

We regularly move pianos for schools, churches, hotels, recording studios and performance venues. Often these jobs must be completed within tight time windows or outside normal hours. We liaise with your team to meet access times, security requirements and event schedules.

Urgent or Short-Notice Moves

Sometimes you need a piano moved at short notice – for example, after a purchase, a cancelled booking with another mover, or an unexpected change in tenancy. Where our schedule allows, we offer urgent and occasional same-day appointments in Kensington. We will always be honest about what can be done safely within the time available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a piano removal in Kensington cost?

The cost depends mainly on the type of piano, access and distance. Upright pianos on the ground floor with straightforward access are usually at the lower end, while grand pianos, multiple flights of stairs or awkward access increase the price. Once we have details and have completed a virtual or onsite survey, we provide a fixed quotation with everything clearly itemised. There are no hidden extras – any charges for parking, congestion zones or specialist equipment are discussed and confirmed in writing before you commit.

Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?

Where our schedule allows, we can accommodate urgent or short-notice piano removals in Kensington and nearby areas. Same-day moves are sometimes possible for upright pianos with simple access, but more complex jobs, large grands or restricted buildings usually require at least some planning time. When you contact us, we will let you know our earliest safe availability and any options, such as out-of-hours slots. Our priority is to balance speed with safety, so we will never compromise your instrument or property for the sake of rushing.

Is my piano insured during the move?

Yes. Your piano is covered under our goods in transit insurance while it is in our care and on our vehicles. In addition, we hold public liability cover to protect against accidental damage to third party property or injury. During your quotation, we can explain the relevant limits and what is included. For particularly high-value or rare instruments, we may recommend that you also inform your own insurer, so they are aware of the move and can provide any additional cover they feel appropriate.

What exactly is included in your piano removal service?

Our standard service includes planning and survey, protection of the piano with padded covers, protection of key access areas in the property, professional handling, loading, secure transport and careful placement at the destination. For grand pianos, this also covers the removal and refitting of legs and pedals where necessary. We can additionally quote for storage, disposal of unwanted pianos, or coordinating external services such as cranes. Everything we will and will not do is set out clearly in your written quotation, so you know exactly what to expect.

How is your service different from a general man-and-van?

Many general man-and-van operators do not have the specialist equipment, insurance or experience needed for safe piano handling. Our teams are specifically trained in piano removals and use appropriate trolleys, ramps, strapping and protective materials. We plan access routes in detail, understand how weight is distributed in different pianos and how to minimise strain on the frame and case. Our fully insured service is designed to reduce risk to your instrument and property, which is particularly important in high-value Kensington homes and venues.

How far in advance should I book a piano removal?

For the best choice of dates, particularly at weekends or at the end of the month, it is sensible to book one to two weeks in advance. This allows time for a survey, planning around any building rules, and arranging parking if needed. That said, we understand that not every move can be planned so far ahead. If you need a piano moved at short notice, contact us and we will always check the diary for the earliest safe slot, even if that is an evening or off-peak time.