A piano is the one item you cannot afford to get wrong
An upright piano weighs 200–300 kg and a grand can be twice that, concentrated on castors and a frame that is easily damaged if it is tipped or dragged the wrong way. Moving one safely is a matter of the right equipment, enough people and a crew who have done it many times before.
Northstar has been moving pianos across London and the UK since 2006, both as part of house moves and as stand-alone jobs. From our depot in Pinner we cover Harrow, Watford, North West London and the whole of the capital at local rates, and we ship pianos nationwide and abroad with the rest of a household or on their own.
Every piano move starts with a survey — usually a few photos and a short video call are enough — so that stairs, doorways and vehicle access are planned before the day and the quote is fixed.
Fully insured · Fixed price
Pianos we move
Upright pianos
Moved on a piano trolley with the instrument wrapped and strapped. Stairs, basements and tight hallways are planned on the survey, with extra crew allocated where the carry is awkward.
Baby grand and grand pianos
The lid, lyre and legs are removed and padded, the body is tipped onto a purpose-built piano skid (shoe) and the whole instrument is wrapped before it is moved. Reassembly is included.
Digital pianos and organs
Lighter but easily damaged. We wrap and transport them upright, and can supply crates for export or long-term storage.
Antique and high-value instruments
Handled under our White Glove Service, with bespoke timber crating where appropriate and a dedicated move manager for the day.
What our piano removal service includes
- In-person or video survey to plan the route, stairs and vehicle access
- Trained piano crew — never a general crew making it up on the day
- Piano trolleys, skids, straps, ramps and tail-lift vehicles
- Full wrapping and protection of the instrument, floors and door frames
- Removal and reassembly of grand piano legs, lyre and lid
- Comprehensive insurance included
- Short- or long-term piano storage in monitored warehouses
- Local, nationwide and international piano shipping
Piano removals — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a piano in London?
It depends on the type of piano, the number of stairs or steps at each end and the distance. A short local upright move is the simplest case; a grand piano out of a first-floor flat is more involved. We quote a fixed price after a quick survey, with no extras added on the day.
Can you move a piano as part of a house move?
Yes, and it is the most common way we move them. The piano is surveyed with the rest of your contents and the right equipment and crew are included in your removal quote.
Can you move a piano up or down stairs?
Yes. Stairs are planned on the survey — we measure turns and headroom, add crew as needed and use ramps and skids rather than lifting where possible. If an instrument genuinely will not fit, we will tell you before the day rather than damage it or your home.
Does my piano need tuning after the move?
Usually yes. Pianos react to changes in temperature and humidity, so most tuners recommend waiting two to three weeks after the move for the instrument to settle in its new room before tuning.
Can you store a piano?
Yes. Pianos are wrapped and stored upright in our monitored warehouses, for anything from a week to several years, and delivered back when you are ready.
Free video or home survey · No hidden fees · Fully insured
