How to Move a Piano Upstairs (Without Wrecking It or Your Back)

Pianos are deceptively dangerous to move — an upright weighs 150–300kg and a grand more, with the weight high and unevenly distributed. Getting one upstairs is a job that hurts people and damages instruments every year. Here's how the professionals do it, and when you should simply hire one.

Be honest about whether you should DIY this

If it's a full-size upright or a grand, or the staircase turns, is steep, or has no room at the top, this is a specialist job — the risk of a serious back injury or a dropped instrument isn't worth it. Smaller spinet/console uprights on a straight, wide staircase can be moved by a strong, experienced team, but you still need the right kit and at least 3–4 people.

The right equipment

• A piano dolly or skid board to bear the weight on the flat.
• Heavy-duty moving straps / a shoulder harness so the lift comes from your legs, not your back.
• Padding and blankets to protect the case, plus tape to secure the lid and keys.
• A stair-climbing dolly for the staircase itself — this is what most specialists use.

Step by step

1. Measure everything — the piano, the doorways, the stairwell width and any turns. Pianos don't compress.
2. Clear and protect the route — remove obstacles, lift rugs, and pad door frames and banisters.
3. Wrap the piano — close and tape the lid and key cover, then blanket-wrap the case.
4. Keep it upright — uprights should stay vertical; never lay one on its back.
5. Take the stairs slowly with the weight downhill-controlled — the people below guide and brace, the people above take the weight via straps. Move one step at a time, resting on the climber.

What it costs — and the easy option

A specialist piano move with stairs typically runs £150–£400+ depending on the instrument, the access and the distance. Given the injury and damage risk, it's usually money well spent. On We Got The Move you can post the job free and get competing quotes from experienced piano handlers — describe the instrument, the stairs and any turns so they bring the right kit.

See typical prices in our piano removal cost guide, or get piano removal quotes →