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Original poster

Piano moving cost! Yikes!

26 replies

musicmadnessnumber57806 · 10/02/2022 19:31

Can anyone here enlighten me as to what sort of price you'd expect to pay for a grand piano to be professionally moved from the house into an outbuilding (don't panic... outbuilding is fit for purpose!)?

It's literally only about 10 metres of moving distance.

I've just had my (only) quote for £270+vat😱. Is that the sort of figure I should expect? I thought it was going to be about 50 quid or something.

OP posts:
ISeeTheLight · 10/02/2022 19:34

I'd say that's cheap! They'll need equipment, at least 2 people, insurance etc.

Eddielizzard · 10/02/2022 19:37

Sounds about right

CatherinedeBourgh · 10/02/2022 19:38

Really depends on where you are and what the access is like.

I have paid less than that to move a piano 30km to storage, but also 2 grand for moving it less than 10m in a different place (needed a crane to get it in, plus 3 people to manoeuvre it).

Original poster
musicmadnessnumber57806 · 10/02/2022 20:05

Thank you. Gosh I am so naive. It is just across our gravel drive, no steps just door thresholds.

I think I'm in the wrong profession and need to start looking into being a piano mover!

OP posts:
Asdf12345 · 10/02/2022 20:12

At least two people, van, insurance, some specialist kit, blocks out a half day for other jobs, £270 seems a bit cheap really.

If getting professional piano movers to do it is not essential try man with van type outfits who at least might not have vat to add.

PinkPlantCase · 10/02/2022 20:13

About that or more. Decent piano movers are absolute wizards Grin

Harlequin1088 · 10/02/2022 20:19

Yeah it sounds melodramatic but people have literally died trying to move pianos so the insurance overheads for professional piano movers are astronomical. It sounds like you’ve had a decent quote there.

gogohm · 10/02/2022 20:19

Are you near a university, just get students in, it's what I did, cost me a few beers

user1493494961 · 10/02/2022 20:38

Seems reasonable to me.

Original poster
musicmadnessnumber57806 · 10/02/2022 20:44

Blimey ok then I was clearly in cloud cuckoo land. Yes fair enough re insurance, equipment etc.

OP posts:
CatherinedeBourgh · 10/02/2022 22:18

@gogohm

Are you near a university, just get students in, it's what I did, cost me a few beers
I wouldn't risk this on a grand piano! Would cost you a lot if they did any damage...
TwinkleToesStrikesAgain · 10/02/2022 22:21

Day rate = £200. Two movers half day each = £200. Insurance etc... I agree. Probably an appropriate quote.

Viviennemary · 11/02/2022 00:43

I would be amazed if two people could move a grand piano. Would it not take three or four folk or evdn more. What a headache.

Greenmarmalade · 11/02/2022 00:46

It’ll be 4 people I think , for a grand piano.

Mo1911 · 11/02/2022 00:54

You've got a bargain there. I got a standard piano moved a couple of years ago albeit it's a 1930s with a steel frame and it cost me way more than that. It's really not an easy job, piano movers are hugely skilled at what they do.

Izzadoraduncancan · 11/02/2022 01:32

I love that I'm married to a highly skilled wizard!
A grand piano if moved professionally will be wrapped and protected by a "shoe" , de-legged, lyre removed and then placed on its side on a piano trolley. They don't get moved on their legs - they'd rarely fit through the door (unless large double doors).
Please don't get local students to do it - you could end up with damaged flooring. Injured students. Or a piano with a broken leg - happens often.
As to how many people it takes - DH can move a grand on his own - if it's a straight forward job. He knows what he's doing, is insured and has invested in the right equipment.

Undecicive · 11/02/2022 03:00

@Asdf12345

At least two people, van, insurance, some specialist kit, blocks out a half day for other jobs, £270 seems a bit cheap really.

If getting professional piano movers to do it is not essential try man with van type outfits who at least might not have vat to add.

Not sure why they'd need a van to move it down OP's garden.
TheSandgroper · 11/02/2022 03:17

Budget for a piano tuner, too.

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Izzadoraduncancan · 11/02/2022 07:39

Just asked DH - he'd charge about £200 assuming 6ft grand and decent access. Tuning would be extra (he's a professional piano tuner).

SookieHouseboat · 11/02/2022 07:41

My standard piano was moved professionally, 150 miles, for £400

Roselilly36 · 11/02/2022 07:53

@Undecicive. 😂 how do you suggest they get to OP address with all the equipment needed to move the piano safely?

heldinadream · 11/02/2022 08:01

I think the clue is in the fact that you seem to understand that you cannot contemplate doing it yourself...
It's a specialist task. You are paying for the expertise, care, equipment, insurance etc. Not the distance.

Zazdar · 11/02/2022 09:36

Not sure why they'd need a van to move it down OP's garden

I’d be more surprised if they turned up on the bus with all their moving gear.

CellophaneFlower · 11/02/2022 10:17

@gogohm

Are you near a university, just get students in, it's what I did, cost me a few beers
Just be sure not to give them the beers first 😱
Undecicive · 11/02/2022 10:25

Good point, I have no idea what specialist equipment they need and whether that requires a van itself.