PIANO REMOVALS
Piano Removals — Oxfordshire, Across the UK & Europe 🎹
Pianos are among the most demanding items to move — heavy, structurally complex, acoustically sensitive, and often irreplaceable. Getting it wrong isn't an option. At Gentlevan Removals, we've been moving pianos across Oxfordshire and beyond for over 15 years, handling everything from compact uprights in village homes to full concert grands in schools, hotels and country houses.
We move pianos as part of a full house removal, or as a standalone piano-only service. We cover local moves in the Banbury and Oxford area, long-distance UK removals, and European moves to Spain, France and beyond — on our own vehicles, with our own trained crew. We never subcontract piano moves.
Request a quote today — for pianos we prefer to discuss access and requirements directly, so don't hesitate to call us too.
Upright & Grand Piano Removals
Every piano is different — in weight, dimensions, construction, and the access challenges it presents. Our approach is tailored to the instrument and the property, assessed carefully before the move takes place.
🎹 Upright Piano Removals
The upright piano is the most common type we move — from small spinets and mini uprights to full-size concert uprights weighing over 250kg. Despite their relatively compact footprint, uprights can be awkward on narrow staircases and tight landings. Our technique of turning the fully wrapped piano on its side gives us greater manoeuvrability and significantly reduces the risk of contact with walls, banisters and door frames.
Typically handled by a team of two for ground-floor moves; three or more for staircases or complex access situations.
🎹 Baby Grand & Grand Piano Removals
Grand piano removals are a more complex undertaking. The legs must be carefully removed and each component secured and wrapped individually. We use a specialist piano shoe to protect the lid during the move, and the instrument travels flat on the vehicle on padded supports. Reassembly at the destination is carried out with the same care as the disassembly.
A minimum of three trained crew members are deployed for grand pianos. For concert grands and moves involving staircases or difficult access, we carry out a full access assessment before confirming the move.
How We Move Your Piano
Every piano move follows the same careful process — from the initial inspection to the final check at delivery. Here's exactly what happens:
Before we confirm the move, we assess the piano's dimensions and the access at both properties — doorways, staircases, corridors, ceiling heights and any tight corners. For complex moves we visit in person or request photographs and measurements.
On the day, our team inspects the piano for any pre-existing damage or marks and notes them — protecting both you and us. We identify the safest and most practical route from the piano's current position to the vehicle.
The piano is fully wrapped using custom piano covers or quilted padded blankets. Loose parts — music desk, candlestick holders, decorative panels — are removed and wrapped separately. For grand pianos, the lid is secured using a piano shoe before the legs are removed.
Legs are carefully removed and each component wrapped and labelled individually. The main body is supported throughout to prevent any contact with the floor or walls during disassembly.
We use professional piano dollies, heavy-duty straps, ramps and piano shoes. No improvised trolleys or household kit — specialist tools only, used by a team trained to work with them.
The piano is loaded using correct lifting technique and secured on the vehicle to prevent any movement in transit. For European moves, additional strapping is applied.
At the destination, the piano is unloaded carefully, brought to its final position, and — for grand pianos — fully reassembled. We place it exactly where you want it.
Before we leave, we carry out a final inspection to confirm the piano has arrived in the same condition it left. Any concerns are raised immediately.
Moving a Piano Upstairs
Yes, we can move pianos to upper floors — but it is one of the most specialist tasks in the removals industry, and we treat it accordingly. Before any quotation is confirmed for an upstairs piano move, we carry out a thorough access assessment.
Factors we consider include:
- The piano's weight, dimensions and type (upright or grand)
- Ceiling height at each point on the route — particularly on landings and turns
- Staircase width, rise angle, and the presence of any bends or half-landings
- The amount of working space available for the crew to manoeuvre safely
- Flooring and structural considerations at the delivery point
We will never attempt an upstairs move without being confident it can be done safely. If access is genuinely not feasible, we'll tell you that clearly — along with any alternatives, such as external hoisting or crane lifts which we can discuss on a case-by-case basis.
Where We Move Pianos
🏫 Local Oxfordshire Moves
Our base is near Banbury and we cover the whole of Oxfordshire for piano moves — including Oxford, Bicester, Witney, Chipping Norton, Daventry, Leamington Spa, Warwick, and surrounding areas. Local piano moves are typically carried out on a day's notice where our schedule allows.
🏴 UK Piano Removals
We offer part-load piano deliveries throughout the UK on a monthly basis. Whether you need a piano moved to Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, London or Manchester, we can include your instrument on a part-load run at a competitive rate. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Some of Our Piano Customers
We've built long-term relationships with schools, hotels, churches and private households across Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire — many of whom come back to us year after year for piano moves, seasonal repositioning, or as part of wider removal projects.
Insurance for Piano Removals
With over 15 years of piano moving experience, we adhere to the highest handling standards and employ trained staff for every instrument we move. That said, proper insurance is an essential part of protecting your piano — particularly for valuable or antique instruments.
We can facilitate a customised insurance policy designed specifically for your piano move, covering your instrument in the unlikely event of an accident during transit or handling. This is separate from our standard goods-in-transit cover and provides an additional layer of protection where the value of the instrument warrants it.
For European piano moves, insurance during transit is especially important — your piano may be in transit and storage for an extended period, and appropriate cover gives you confidence throughout. Contact our office for details on the options available.
What Our Customers Say
We're proud that most of our piano work comes through recommendations — from private customers, schools and institutions who've trusted us with their instruments and come back again. Here's what they say. Read more testimonials here.
Frequently Asked Questions — Piano Removals
Cost depends on the type of piano (upright or grand), the access at both properties, the distance involved, and whether any specialist equipment or additional crew is required. Local Oxfordshire piano-only moves start from a relatively modest cost; long-distance UK and European moves are priced individually. Request a quote online or call us directly — for pianos we prefer to discuss requirements before confirming a price.
Both. We carry out piano-only moves regularly — for private customers, schools, hotels, churches and music venues across Oxfordshire and the wider UK. We also move pianos as part of a full house removal or European relocation. Including your piano in a full removal is often the most cost-effective option.
No. All piano removals are carried out by our own trained crew using our own vehicles. We never pass piano jobs to third parties. The same people who carry out your survey and plan your move are the ones who show up on the day.
Yes, in many cases — but this requires a thorough access assessment before we confirm the move. We need to review staircase width, ceiling height on landings, the presence of any bends or turns, and the total weight and dimensions of the piano. We will not attempt a move we cannot carry out safely. If access genuinely isn't feasible, we'll tell you and discuss alternatives.
Yes. We transport pianos to and from France and Spain on our regular part-load European runs, and can quote for other European destinations on request. We can arrange specialist insurance for European piano moves. See our Spain removals and France removals pages for more on our European service.
For a standard upright piano with no stairs involved, two crew members is typically sufficient. For any staircase work, or for baby grand and full grand pianos, we deploy a minimum of three. For particularly heavy or complex moves — large concert grands, awkward access, or upper-floor delivery — we assess and allocate accordingly. We never cut corners on crew numbers for piano moves.
Pianos are sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity and movement, and most piano technicians recommend tuning after any move. This applies regardless of how carefully the instrument is moved — it's simply the nature of acoustic pianos. We'd recommend booking a tuner for 2–4 weeks after delivery, once the piano has had time to settle in its new environment.
Yes — digital pianos, stage pianos and keyboard setups can be moved as part of a house removal or as standalone items. They don't present the same access challenges as acoustic pianos, but we take the same care with wrapping, loading and securing them. Get in touch to discuss your specific instrument.
Get a Quote for Your Piano Move 🎹
For piano moves we'd always recommend a quick call to discuss access and requirements — or request a quote online and we'll follow up promptly. You can also reach us on WhatsApp.
Call or WhatsApp: +44 7861 930 529
Local Oxfordshire moves · Long-distance UK · European piano removals to Spain & France · Schools, hotels & private customers welcome.
Own Crew, Own Vehicles
Every piano move is carried out by our own trained team on our own vehicles. We never subcontract piano jobs — the people who plan the move are the people who carry it out. That continuity and accountability is what allows us to maintain the standards our school and institutional customers expect, year after year.
Specialist Equipment
Piano dollies, piano shoes, heavy-duty straps, ramps — we use purpose-built equipment for every piano move. No improvisation, no shortcuts. For European and long-distance moves, additional strapping is applied as standard.
Accredited & Insured
As members of Move Assured and AIM, we meet the industry's highest standards. Custom piano insurance can be arranged for high-value instruments. Find out more about Gentlevan Removals.