Piano moving across the Netherlands
Moving a piano isn’t an ordinary removal job. The weight is unevenly distributed, the case is more fragile than it looks, and every type of instrument needs its own approach. We come with the right crew and specialist equipment — from an upright on the ground floor to a grand piano going up to the third floor by moving lift.
Why piano moving is specialist work
A piano looks like one solid piece of furniture, but it isn’t. The cast-iron frame carries fifteen to twenty tonnes of string tension, and the weight sits unevenly: most of it is on the bass side. Tip a piano the wrong way and that mass shifts in one movement — which is exactly the moment the instrument, the banister or somebody’s back gives way.
Then there’s the soundboard. It’s timber, and it reacts to shocks, moisture and temperature changes. An instrument that takes a hard knock, or stands on the pavement in freezing weather for an hour, may arrive technically intact but sound different. So for us a piano move is never a standard job: specialist equipment comes along, measurements are taken in advance, and where necessary the instrument is partly taken apart before anything moves.
How many movers does a piano need?
On the level, two to three movers is enough. As soon as it has to be lifted up a staircase and the instrument is heavy, we come with four or five — or we bring in a moving lift.
Which of the three depends on the route, not on the instrument alone. We use the breakdown below when preparing your quote, so you know in advance what crew is coming.
| Situation | Crew | What determines the approach |
|---|---|---|
| Moving within the same home, one level | 2 to 3 movers | Turning space, thresholds, floor protection |
| Ground floor to ground floor | 2 to 3 movers | Loading space at the door, driving distance |
| Piano to or from an upper floor | 4 to 5 movers | Stair width, spiral or straight, weight |
| Heavy instrument, stairs too narrow or steep | Crew plus moving lift | Façade space, window or balcony opening |
| Grand piano | 4 to 5 movers, legs off | Disassembly, grand piano board, extra corner protection |
Where lifting up stairs is involved, more hands isn’t a luxury but a safety requirement: the weight has to be carried by several people at every moment, including halfway round a bend. Where that can’t be done safely, we use a moving lift — often quicker and gentler on the instrument than a difficult route through the stairwell.
Every type of piano needs its own approach
Upright pianos
The most common job: 180 to 280 kilos, carried upright on a piano trolley. On the level two to three movers suffice; up a staircase we go to four or five.
Grand pianos
A grand almost always comes apart: the legs are detached from the body, the pedal lyre and music desk come off, and the instrument travels on its side on a grand piano board. From a baby grand of 250 kilos to a concert grand of 500.
Vintage and historic instruments
Older cases have fragile veneers and joints that haven’t moved in decades. Extra blankets, softer straps and a slower pace.
Digital pianos and organs
Lighter, but with electronics and a sensitive keyboard. Dismantled, wrapped separately and carried dry.
Moving within the home
From the living room to the attic, or back into place after building work. Often done within an hour, floor protection included.
Pianos going abroad
As part of an international move, with crating and climate-conscious loading.
What the piano moving service includes
- Advance assessment of route, stair width and turning points
- Crew size determined before moving day
- Floor, wall and door frame protection at both addresses
- Moving blankets, corner protection and straps around the instrument
- Piano trolley, grand piano board, skids and lifting straps
- Moving lift with operator where the staircase won’t allow it
- Removing and refitting legs, pedal lyre and music desk
- Secured in the van so nothing shifts en route
- Placed exactly where you want it in your new home
- Application for the parking exemption and a reserved loading space
New home not ready yet? The instrument can go into our storage in the meantime — dry and secure, and with a move booked through us the first week is free.
How a piano move works
- You send us the situation. Make and type, floor at both addresses, stairs or lift, and whether there’s a balcony or window available. A photo of the staircase often says more than a form.
- We decide the method and crew. You get a quote stating how many movers are coming, what equipment travels and whether a moving lift is needed. If in doubt we come and look, free of charge.
- Preparation on the day. Floors and door frames are covered and the instrument is wrapped. With a grand, the legs are detached from the body before anything leaves its place.
- Transport. The piano stands upright or on the board, secured against the van wall, with blankets between instrument and strap.
- Placing and checking. In position, legs back on, and we go over the instrument with you before we leave.
What does moving a piano cost?
We don’t work with a single fixed “piano rate”, because the situations are too far apart: an upright moving one room across the ground floor costs a fraction of a grand going to the third floor by lift. The price is set by the crew needed, the time it takes and whether a moving lift is involved.
You get a quote with a fixed price in advance, so nothing is added on moving day. Want certainty with an unusual or heavy instrument? Book a free pre-move survey — a planner assesses the staircase, the turning points and the loading situation on site. More on our rates at moving costs.
Why customers choose us for their piano
Specialist equipment
Piano trolleys, grand piano boards, lifting straps and our own moving lift with operator. Whatever’s needed is on the van — nothing is improvised.
The right crew
Two to three movers on the level, four to five as soon as lifting is involved. Agreed in advance, not judged on the day.
Fixed price upfront
No recalculation because the staircase turned out worse than expected. What we see at the survey is in the quote.
Experienced regular teams
Movers who know how a piano behaves on an Amsterdam spiral staircase — and who speak English and Dutch.
Where we work
We move pianos throughout the Netherlands. Most jobs are in the Randstad and North Brabant: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Haarlem and Eindhoven. See all locations.
Often booked together
- Moving lift for narrow stairwells
- Assembly and disassembly of other furniture
- Residential moving for the whole home
- Packing and unpacking
- Artworks and antiques
- Temporary storage, first week free
Frequently asked questions
How many people do you use to move a piano?
On the level, ground floor to ground floor, two to three movers is usually enough. As soon as it has to be lifted up a staircase and the instrument is heavy, we come with four or five. With a grand that’s almost always the case. The crew is stated in your quote in advance.
What does it cost to have a piano moved?
It depends on the crew needed, the time and whether a moving lift is required. Moving one on the level is a short job; a grand going up to an upper-floor flat needs more people and more equipment. The quote tool gives you a tailored price the same day.
Can a piano go out through the window?
Yes. If the staircase is too narrow or steep for a heavy instrument, we set up a moving lift against the façade. In upper-floor flats in older city centres that’s more the rule than the exception, and it’s often faster and safer than carrying it through the stairwell.
Does a grand piano have to come apart for transport?
In most cases yes. The legs are detached from the body, as are the pedal lyre and music desk, and the instrument travels on its side on a grand piano board. We do that ourselves and reassemble it at the other end.
Do you treat every type of piano the same?
No. An upright, a grand, a historic instrument and a digital piano each need a different approach, different equipment and sometimes a different crew. That’s why we always ask for the make and type in advance.
Will my piano go out of tune because of the move?
Usually somewhat, and that’s more often down to the change in humidity than the transport itself. Let the instrument acclimatise for two to three weeks and only then book a tuning.
Can you move just the piano, without the rest of the move?
Certainly. Many customers handle the boxes themselves and book us purely for the piano, the washing machine and the wardrobe.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks gives the most choice of dates. At short notice it often still works — do call.
Find out today what your piano move costs
Two minutes to fill in and you’ll have a tailored price the same day — or book a free survey and we’ll look at the staircase together.
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