Piano moving internal in Exeter
Professional piano moving internal services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Piano moved safely between rooms or up stairs within your property. I use proper equipment and techniques to protect both the instrument and your home - no heroic DIY efforts that end badly.
Don't Risk Your Piano (or Your Back)
Pianos are deceptively dangerous to move - they look like furniture, but they're actually precision instruments weighing 150-250kg, with delicate internals and awkward weight distribution.
Every year people attempt DIY piano moves and end up with damaged instruments, injured backs, scratched floors, or all three. Sometimes the piano ends up stuck halfway up the stairs.
⚠️ Warning: Piano moving is one of those jobs where 'having a go' can genuinely cause thousands of pounds of damage or serious injury. Get someone who knows what they're doing.
Why Professional Moving Matters
The difference between proper piano moving and winging it:
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ DIY Attempt |
|---|---|
| Specialist skates and equipment | Brute force and hope |
| Two experienced people | You and a reluctant mate |
| Piano protected with blankets | Scratches, dents, broken casework |
| Weight balanced correctly | Someone gets crushed, drop the piano |
| Floors and walls protected | Gouged floors, dented walls |
| Positioned safely, level | Wobbly, damaged, or stuck halfway |
What I Can Move
🎹 Piano Types
| Piano Type | Typical Weight | Internal Move? |
|---|---|---|
| Upright piano (small) | 150-180kg | ✅ Yes, including upstairs |
| Upright piano (full size) | 200-250kg | ✅ Yes, if stairs allow |
| Baby grand (under 5ft) | 250-300kg | ✅ Yes, same floor only |
| Baby grand (5-6ft) | 300-350kg | ⚠️ Maybe - needs assessment |
| Grand piano (6ft+) | 350-600kg | ❌ Specialist movers needed |
I'll be honest about what I can handle safely. If it needs specialists, I'll tell you.
The Service
🔧 What Happens
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check piano type, route, stairs, doorways |
| Protect | Blankets on piano, cardboard on doorframes |
| Equipment | Piano skates/trolley for safe moving |
| Move | Two-person team, proper lifting technique |
| Position | Piano placed exactly where you want it |
📦 You Get
- Piano moved safely without damage
- Floors and walls protected
- Instrument positioned and level
- Peace of mind it's been done properly
Pricing
| Move Type | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Same room repositioning | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Different room same floor | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Up or down stairs | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Stairs jobs need two people and careful work - they take longer.
Important: Larger or heavier pianos may need specialist movers. I'll assess from photos and be honest about what I can handle.
Perfect For...
✅ Room rearrangement - piano to different wall or room
✅ Upstairs music room - if stairs are feasible
✅ Downstairs from bedroom - previous owner's odd placement
✅ Clearing space - redecorating or new flooring
✅ After house purchase - piano in wrong room
Why Choose Us for Piano moving internal in Exeter?
Specialist equipment for safe piano moving
Two-person team for heavy instruments
Floors and walls protected throughout
Piano positioned exactly where you want it
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment and Photos
Before booking, send me photos of the piano, the route it needs to travel, and any stairs. I'll confirm whether I can do it safely or if it needs specialists.
Step 2: Preparation
On the day, I'll protect the piano with blankets, protect your floors and doorframes, and set up the equipment needed (skates, trolley, straps).
Step 3: Careful Moving
Two-person team (I'll bring someone), proper technique, taking our time. Pianos moved slowly and carefully - this isn't a race.
Step 4: Positioning
Piano placed where you want it, checked it's level and stable. I'll test the casters work if it has them.
🔧 DIY Tips
Honestly? Don't attempt this yourself. But if you're absolutely determined despite my advice:
🔧 Absolute minimum requirements
- TWO strong adults (minimum - three is safer)
- Piano skates or furniture trolley rated for the weight
- Moving blankets to protect the piano
- Clear route with all obstacles removed
- Someone who actually knows what they're doing
💪 If you must...
- Measure everything - piano, doorways, stairs, landings
- Remove piano top/lid if possible (makes it lighter)
- Wrap in thick blankets, secure with straps
- NEVER tip a piano on its side (damages internal mechanism)
- Use skates on hard floors, trolley on carpet
- Lift with your legs, keep your back straight
- Take breaks - fatigue causes accidents
⚠️ Serious warnings
- Pianos are top-heavy and unstable when moved
- One slip on stairs can be catastrophic
- Internal mechanisms are delicate - tipping damages them
- Most piano damage happens during amateur moves
- Back injuries from piano moving can be permanent
- If you damage it, repair costs can exceed the piano's value
❌ Don't even think about:
- Moving a piano solo
- Moving without proper equipment
- Tipping a piano on its side or back
- Moving a grand piano without disassembling the legs
- Attempting stairs you haven't properly assessed
💡 When to call professionals:
- Any upstairs move
- Any grand piano
- Narrow or winding staircases
- Valuable or antique pianos
- If you have ANY doubt whatsoever
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎹 Piano tuning: Moving won't damage the tuning if done carefully, but pianos should be tuned a few weeks after relocation once they've settled. The change in position (different temperature, humidity) affects tuning more than the move itself.
Older Exeter houses? Victorian and Georgian terraces often have narrow, winding staircases. I'll need photos first - some are just too tight for piano moving, no matter how skilled you are.
Valuable or antique pianos? Let me know - I'll take extra care, but genuinely precious instruments might warrant specialist piano movers who do nothing else. I'll be honest about what's appropriate.
Grand pianos? Small baby grands (under 5ft) on the same floor I can usually handle. Anything larger or involving stairs needs specialist movers who'll disassemble the legs and use proper equipment.
New flooring or decorating? Move the piano first, then do the flooring. Or do the flooring everywhere except under the piano, then move it, then finish that section. Moving pianos on fresh flooring risks damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you move all types of piano?
I can move upright pianos and small baby grand pianos within your property. Large grand pianos (6ft+) need specialist piano movers with more equipment and expertise. I'll be honest about what I can handle safely - if it needs specialists, I'll tell you.
Can you move pianos upstairs?
Upright pianos yes, if the staircase is wide enough and has no tight turns. It needs two people minimum and proper equipment. I'll need to see photos of your stairs first to confirm it's feasible - some staircases are just too tight or twisty.
Will moving damage the piano or my house?
Not if it's done properly, which is why you get professionals to do it. I use furniture skates for hard floors, blankets to protect the instrument, and cardboard on doorframes and corners. Everything's protected - piano, floors, walls, woodwork.
How much does a piano weigh?
Upright pianos typically 150-250kg depending on age and size. Baby grands can be 250-350kg. They're not just heavy - they're awkward, unbalanced, and easily damaged. This isn't a job to attempt with a mate and some optimism.
Do you tune the piano after moving it?
No - I'm a handyman, not a piano tuner. But moving won't damage the tuning as long as it's done carefully. You should get it tuned a few weeks after moving once it's settled in its new location - I can recommend local tuners.
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