Moving a piano is not like moving furniture. Pianos weigh between 200kg and 500kg, they have delicate internal mechanisms that can be damaged by a single drop, and they will not fit through a standard door frame on their side without being handled correctly. SmartyMoves has moved upright pianos, baby grands, and full grand pianos across Manchester since 2020 — from period flats in Didsbury to larger homes in Altrincham and Hale. Run by Julian, operated by Britania Logistic LTD (Company No. 12660219), with 116 five-star Google reviews. Every piano move is fully insured.
What's included in every piano removal
- Trained crew and specialist equipment Piano dollies, straps, protective blankets, and padded boards. Upright and grand pianos are handled by crews with experience moving them, not by general movers.
- Grand piano preparation For grand pianos, the lid, legs, and pedal lyre are removed before transport and reassembled in the new location. This is part of the service, not an add-on.
- Stair and narrow-access handling Upright pianos are moved up and down stairs regularly. Grand pianos on stairs require more planning and sometimes a larger crew — we assess access at quote stage.
- Goods in Transit and Public Liability cover Pianos are high-value items. Every move is covered by Goods in Transit insurance and Public Liability insurance. See our insurance details.
- No upfront payment You pay on completion, once the piano is in the new property and reassembled. No deposits, no card details in advance.
- Saturday moves available Alongside weekday moves. Saturdays book early — 4–6 weeks ahead recommended if your move must fall on a Saturday.
- Combined with a house move If you are moving house at the same time, the piano can be included in the house removal rather than booked separately. This usually reduces the total cost.
How a piano move with SmartyMoves works
- Get a written quote Call 07482 053493 or fill in the quote form. Tell us the piano type (upright, baby grand, grand), make and approximate size, floor level at both addresses, stair or lift access, and any tight turns or narrow doors. Julian confirms a written quote. No deposit.
- Confirm your date and access plan Once you accept, we lock in your date. If the access is complex — tight staircase, narrow doorway, or window access required — we discuss the plan with you before the day.
- Preparation at the collection address On the day, the crew wraps the piano in padded blankets and shrink wrap, removes the lid and legs for grand pianos, and secures the piano to a dolly or piano board for transport.
- Transport The piano is loaded into a properly equipped van with straps and padding. It is transported upright for upright pianos, and on its side (keyboard side up or down depending on model) for grands, following the manufacturer's recommended method.
- Delivery and reassembly At the new property, the piano is unloaded, moved into position, unwrapped, and reassembled (lid, legs, and pedal lyre refitted for grands). You check the piano, confirm everything is in place, and pay on completion.
Piano removal prices in Manchester
Piano moves are priced on the type of piano, the access at both addresses, and the distance. An upright piano from a ground-floor house to a ground-floor house a few miles away costs far less than a grand piano from a fourth-floor flat with no lift to a period home with a narrow staircase. The ranges below reflect typical access. Tell us the specifics when you request the quote.
| Piano Type | Typical Range | Access Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upright piano | £150 – £350 | Ground floor to ground floor, short distance |
| Upright piano (stairs) | £250 – £500 | One or two flights of stairs at either end |
| Baby grand piano | £300 – £600 | Ground floor, standard access |
| Baby grand (complex access) | £450 – £800 | Stairs, narrow doors, or long carry |
| Full grand piano | £400 – £900 | Depends on size, access, and distance |
| Combined with house move | Add £100 – £300 | Cheaper than booking separately |
See our full pricing guide or get an exact quote for your piano move.
What our customers say
"Had a large last-minute house move including disassembly/re-assembly of furniture and some tricky items like a large fridge/freezer and a piano. Smarty Moves offered a very reasonable price for the move and completed the job quickly and safely."
"What an amazing team, made the house move a lot easier than what we thought. Everything was perfectly fitted in the van and then to the new property with no damage to anything. We couldn't be more happier and more satisfied. 5 star."
"Sebastian and Nikolai are excellent. Punctual, organised and finished in under 4 hours. Great job guys!"
"Adrian and Christian were absolutely brilliant in moving our stuff - they loaded the van, drove across the country, and unloaded in one morning! Impressively quick, professional, and friendly."
Read all 116 reviews on Google
Piano removals across Manchester
Pianos are more common in some parts of Manchester than others — larger homes in Altrincham and Hale, period properties in Didsbury with awkward staircases, and music rooms in Victorian semis across Trafford. Here is what to expect in the areas we cover most.
Altrincham
Period homes near the market and larger properties in and around Bowdon. Many have pianos in sitting rooms or music rooms, and staircases are often wider than central Manchester.
Hale
Larger detached homes with driveways and easy access. Piano moves in Hale are usually straightforward once the piano type and route are confirmed.
Hale Barns
Executive housing with more volume per move. Baby grands and full grands are common — we plan the route and equipment accordingly.
See all areas we cover across Manchester and Trafford.
Frequently asked questions about piano removals in Manchester
How much does piano removal cost in Manchester?
Upright piano moves within Manchester typically cost £150–£350 depending on floor level, stairs, and distance. Grand pianos typically cost £300–£800 depending on size, floor level, and access. Combining a piano move with a house move often reduces the total cost. See our full pricing guide.
Do you move grand pianos as well as upright pianos?
Yes. We move upright pianos, baby grands, and full grand pianos. Grand pianos require additional handling — the lid and legs are removed, the piano is wrapped and strapped to a piano board or dolly, and it is moved on its side. Tell us the type and size when you request the quote.
Are pianos insured during the move?
Yes. Every piano removal is covered by Goods in Transit insurance and Public Liability insurance. See our insurance details. Pianos are high-value items and are treated accordingly — wrapped, strapped, and handled by trained crews.
Can you move a piano up or down stairs?
Yes. Upright pianos are moved up and down stairs regularly, using stair-climbing dollies and straps. Grand pianos on stairs require more planning and sometimes a larger crew. If the staircase is too narrow or has a tight turn, we will discuss window or balcony access at the point of survey.
Do you need to tune the piano after the move?
Moving a piano will usually affect its tuning because the strings and soundboard settle after being transported. We recommend waiting 2–4 weeks after the move before booking a tuner, so the piano has time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the new room. SmartyMoves does not tune pianos; we can recommend a local Manchester piano tuner on request.