Piano Removals Putney – Man with Van Putney
Moving a piano is never just another job. It’s heavy, delicate, valuable and often sentimental. At Man with Van Putney, we provide specialist piano removals across Putney and the surrounding areas, using trained teams, the right equipment and carefully planned methods to move your instrument safely and efficiently.
Specialist Piano Removals in Putney
Unlike a standard furniture move, piano removals require precise handling, proper lifting techniques and secure transport. We regularly move:
- Upright pianos
- Digital pianos and stage pianos
- Baby grand and grand pianos (with prior survey)
- Pianolas and older, heavier instruments
Our teams are trained to manage tight staircases, narrow hallways and awkward access, using piano skates, dollies, heavy-duty webbing and protective covers to keep both the instrument and your property safe.
Local Piano Moving Expertise in Putney
Being based in Putney means we understand local streets, parking restrictions and building layouts very well. Whether you’re moving a piano from a riverside flat, a terraced house off Upper Richmond Road, or between local schools and rehearsal spaces, we plan the access in advance to minimise disruption.
We regularly work with:
- Private households and families
- Music teachers and tutors
- Schools and colleges
- Churches and community halls
- Studios and performance venues
Our local knowledge helps us arrange the safest parking positions, ideal routes and realistic timings around Putney’s traffic and loading rules.
Who Our Piano Removal Service Is For
Our dedicated piano removals service is suitable for:
Homeowners
If you’re moving home or rearranging rooms, we can move your piano within the same property, to storage, or to your new address. We protect floors, banisters and door frames throughout.
Renters
Protecting your deposit matters. We use floor protection and careful manoeuvring to prevent marks or damage in rental properties while moving your piano in or out.
Landlords
We assist landlords who need pianos moved between properties, removed prior to refurbishment, or placed into storage. We can coordinate directly with tenants where helpful.
Businesses
Offices, bars, restaurants and venues often have pianos as feature pieces. We provide professional moves to and from commercial premises, working around your trading hours where possible.
Students
Music students moving between halls, flats and family homes can rely on a cost-effective, carefully planned service that fits around term dates and performance schedules.
What’s Included in Our Piano Removals
As standard, our piano removals service includes:
- Pre-move assessment of access and requirements
- Provision of all necessary moving equipment and blankets
- Protection of floors and key surfaces where needed
- Safe lifting and loading by trained staff
- Secure transport in a purpose-equipped vehicle
- Careful unloading and placement in the requested position
- Basic dismantling of removable parts (e.g. pedals, music stands) where required
Items We Commonly Move Alongside Pianos
On the same job we can also move:
- Piano stools and benches
- Sheet music, stands and small accessories
- Small recording or practice equipment
What’s Not Included
To keep things clear and safe, certain tasks are excluded from the standard service:
- Internal piano repairs or tuning (we can work around your tuner if needed)
- Moving pianos via external cranes or hoists without prior arrangement
- Disassembly of grand pianos beyond normal removal procedures without a specialist
- Handling of water-damaged or structurally unsafe instruments
If you’re unsure whether your requirements fall inside our usual scope, just ask during the enquiry stage.
Our Step-by-Step Piano Removals Process
1. Enquiry & Quote
You contact us with details of your piano, properties and dates. We’ll ask about make/model (if known), number of steps, lifts, parking and any tight turns. Based on this, we provide a clear, no-obligation quote with all costs explained.
2. Survey (Virtual or Onsite)
For many upright pianos, a video call or photos are enough. For grand pianos or complex access (e.g. basement flats, multi-storey staircases), we may carry out an onsite survey. This lets us plan equipment, team size and route in detail, reducing risk on the day.
3. Packing & Preparation
On the day, we protect the piano with thick removal blankets, edge protectors and securing straps. For certain pianos we may remove legs, lids or panels as appropriate. Floors, corners and doorways are protected where required to avoid scuffs and scrapes.
4. Loading & Transport
Using piano skates, dollies or lifting aids, the team carefully moves the piano along the planned route, then loads it into the vehicle using ramps or tail lifts. Inside the vehicle, the instrument is strapped securely against movement and cushioned to absorb vibration.
5. Unloading & Placement
At the destination, we reverse the process: safe unloading, careful movement through the property and final placement exactly where you want it. We can make small adjustments to position until you’re satisfied and will advise allowing time for the piano to settle before tuning.
Transparent Piano Removal Pricing
We price piano removals based on:
- Type and size of piano (upright vs grand)
- Distance between addresses
- Access complexity (stairs, tight turns, parking)
- Number of staff required
- Any additional services (e.g. multiple stops, storage drops)
All costs are explained clearly in your quote so you know exactly what you’re paying for before you book. There are no hidden charges for basic blankets or straps, and any potential extras (such as long carries or additional flights of stairs) are discussed in advance.
Why Use Professional Piano Removers Instead of DIY
A piano can easily weigh 200–400kg or more. Attempting to move it with untrained helpers or a casual man-and-van risks injury to people, serious damage to the instrument and harm to your property. Professional piano removals offer:
- Trained teams who understand balance, weight and safe lifting
- Specialist equipment designed for heavy, delicate loads
- Fully insured cover in case the unexpected happens
- Proper planning rather than guesswork on the day
In most cases, the cost of repair to a damaged piano or property far outweighs the saving from a DIY approach. Professional removal is a sensible investment in protecting a valuable instrument.
Insurance and Professional Standards
Man with Van Putney operates to clear, professional standards so you know your piano is in safe hands:
- Goods in transit insurance for your piano and related items while they are being moved
- Public liability cover to protect against accidental damage to third-party property
- Trained, experienced moving teams familiar with piano handling
- Clean, well-maintained vehicles suitable for fragile and heavy items
Details of cover limits can be provided with your quote, and we’re happy to answer specific insurance questions before you book.
Care, Protection and Sustainability
We treat every piano as if it were our own. That means careful handling at every stage, plus consideration for the wider impact of our work:
- Use of reusable padded blankets and protectors rather than excessive one-use plastics
- Efficient route planning across Putney and beyond to reduce unnecessary mileage
- Regular vehicle maintenance to keep emissions and breakdown risk down
- Thoughtful loading practices to reduce the chance of damage and waste
Our aim is to move your instrument safely while working as responsibly as we can.
Real-World Piano Removal Use Cases
Moving House
We frequently move pianos as part of full house moves in Putney. We can coordinate your piano removal with the rest of your furniture or provide it as a separate, specialist service on a different day if that suits timing and access better.
Office and Venue Relocations
Businesses, schools and venues rely on us to move pianos between sites, to temporary locations during refurbishments, or to and from performance spaces. We can schedule moves outside of standard hours when possible to minimise disruption.
Urgent or Short-Notice Moves
Sometimes a piano needs to be moved quickly – for example, following a house sale completion, flood risk, or a last-minute venue change. Where our schedule allows, we offer same-day or next-day piano removals and will always be honest about what is realistically achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a piano removal in Putney cost?
The cost depends on the type of piano, distance and access. Upright pianos with straightforward access are usually the most economical, while grand pianos or properties with multiple flights of stairs typically cost more due to extra labour and equipment. Once we know your addresses, piano type and any access challenges, we’ll provide a clear, fixed quote. There are no hidden extras for standard blankets or straps, and any potential surcharges, such as difficult parking or long carries, are explained before you book.
Can you do same-day or urgent piano removals?
Where our schedule allows, we can often accommodate same-day or next-day piano removals in and around Putney. The more information you can provide when you call – including photos or a short video of access – the easier it is for us to confirm if a short-notice move is safe and practical. For grand pianos or particularly awkward access, we may still need a brief survey. If we cannot help within your timescale, we’ll say so honestly rather than over-promising.
Is my piano insured while it is being moved?
Yes. We carry goods in transit insurance that covers your piano and related items while they are being moved, as well as public liability cover for accidental damage to third-party property. As with all insurance, there are policy limits and exclusions, which we can outline with your quote. Our focus is always on preventing issues in the first place through proper planning, specialist equipment and the use of trained staff experienced in piano handling.
What exactly is included in your piano removal service?
Our service includes planning, provision of equipment, protective wrapping, safe loading, secure transport and careful placement at the destination. We handle basic dismantling of removable parts where necessary and protect floors and key surfaces as required. We do not tune or repair pianos, but we can work with your chosen tuner if needed. If you have additional requests – such as multiple delivery addresses, storage drops or coordinating with a house move – we can usually build these into a tailored quote.
How is a professional piano removal different from a standard man-and-van?
A casual man-and-van service may not have the specialist equipment, experience or insurance needed for piano removals. Our teams are trained specifically in handling heavy, delicate items and carry piano skates, webbing, protective covers and suitable loading ramps. We also carry dedicated goods in transit insurance and public liability cover, with clear procedures for planning access and protecting your property. In short, the service is designed around the piano, not just around moving general furniture.
How far in advance should I book a piano removal?
For the best choice of dates and times, we recommend booking at least one to two weeks ahead, especially if you’re moving at month-end, during school holidays or alongside a full house move. That said, we know plans can change quickly, so we always try to accommodate shorter notice where possible. Even if your date isn’t fixed yet, it’s worth getting in touch early so we can advise on availability and give you a realistic idea of timings and costs.



