Piano Disposal Costs in the UK: What to Expect and How to Budget

Introduction

“How much does it cost to get rid of a piano?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear. The answer varies significantly—from potentially free if someone wants your piano, to several hundred pounds for professional disposal of a large grand from an upper floor.

In our 33 years of moving pianos across Gloucestershire and throughout the UK, we’ve provided thousands of disposal quotes. We understand that cost matters, and we know that unexpected expenses frustrate customers. This guide explains exactly what affects piano disposal pricing, what you should expect to pay, and how to budget accurately.

Understanding costs helps you plan. It also helps you recognise fair pricing when you see it—and spot quotes that seem too good (or too expensive) to be true.

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Average Disposal Costs

Quick Overview

Typical UK piano disposal costs:

Piano Type	Easy Access	Stairs/Difficult
Small upright	£100-£150	£150-£200
Standard upright	£120-£180	£180-£250
Large upright	£150-£200	£200-£300
Baby grand	£180-£250	£250-£350
Full grand	£220-£300	£300-£400+

National average: Most upright piano disposals cost £150-£200.

Regional Variations

Prices vary by location:

• London and Southeast: Generally higher (15-25% above average)
• Major cities: Slightly above average
• Rural areas: May include travel surcharges
• Scotland and Northern England: Often slightly lower

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Factors Affecting Price

Piano Type and Size

Size directly affects cost:

Factor	Impact on Price
Small upright (under 115cm)	Lower end
Standard upright (115-125cm)	Mid-range
Large upright (over 125cm)	Higher
Baby grand (under 180cm)	Higher
Full/concert grand (180cm+)	Highest

Why: Larger pianos are heavier, require more people, and take longer to move.

Access Difficulty

The biggest cost variable:

Easy access (ground floor, wide doors):

• Minimum team size possible
• Fastest completion time
• Lowest cost

Stairs involved:

• More team members needed
• Significant physical effort
• Increased time
• Higher cost

Difficult access (narrow doors, tight turns, multiple flights):

• Maximum team size
• Specialist equipment may be needed
• Longest time
• Highest cost

Typical stair surcharges:

• Per flight of stairs: £20-£50
• Spiral staircase: £50-£100
• Particularly difficult access: Quoted individually

Distance and Location

Travel affects pricing:

• Local disposal (within 20 miles): Standard pricing
• Extended distance: May add travel charge
• Rural/remote locations: May include surcharge
• Return journey: Factored into all quotes

Piano Condition

Condition rarely affects price:

Whether your piano is pristine or derelict, the disposal cost is similar. The work—removal and recycling—is the same. However:

• Very damaged pianos: Occasionally easier (components already loose)
• Extremely heavy models: May cost more
• Unusual pianos: May need assessment

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Upright Piano Disposal Costs

Small Uprights

Spinets and consoles (under 115cm):

Scenario	Cost Range
Ground floor, easy access	£100-£130
One flight of stairs	£130-£170
Multiple flights	£170-£220

Characteristics:

• Lighter (150-200 kg)
• Smaller dimensions
• Easier to manoeuvre

Standard Uprights

Most common type (115-125cm):

Scenario	Cost Range
Ground floor, easy access	£120-£160
One flight of stairs	£160-£200
Multiple flights	£200-£260

Characteristics:

• Medium weight (200-280 kg)
• Standard doorway fit
• Most common disposal request

Large Uprights

Victorian and professional models (over 125cm):

Scenario	Cost Range
Ground floor, easy access	£150-£200
One flight of stairs	£200-£260
Multiple flights	£260-£320

Characteristics:

• Heavy (280-400 kg)
• May not fit standard doorways
• Requires larger team

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Grand Piano Disposal Costs

Baby Grands

Smaller grands (under 180cm):

Scenario	Cost Range
Ground floor, easy access	£180-£250
Stairs involved	£250-£350
Difficult access	£350-£450

Characteristics:

• Weight: 250-350 kg
• Must be tipped for removal
• Legs removed for transport
• Takes longer than uprights

Full-Size Grands

Larger grands (180cm+):

Scenario	Cost Range
Ground floor, easy access	£220-£300
Stairs involved	£300-£400
Difficult access	£400-£500+

Characteristics:

• Weight: 350-500+ kg
• Requires experienced team
• Specialist equipment essential
• Most complex disposal

Concert Grands

The largest pianos (270cm+):

Scenario	Cost Range
Any access	£400-£600+

Characteristics:

• Weight: 450-600 kg
• Rare disposal requests
• Maximum team required
• Priced individually

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DIY vs Professional Disposal

Can You Dispose of a Piano Yourself?

Technically possible, but:

Aspect	DIY	Professional
Safety	High risk	Managed risk
Equipment	You provide	Included
Labour	You find helpers	Included
Transport	You arrange	Included
Recycling	You arrange	Included
Time	Your time	Their time
Total cost	Variable	Fixed quote

True DIY Costs

If you attempt it yourself:

• Van hire: £50-£100
• Helper payments: £50-£100 (or favours owed)
• Skip hire (if needed): £150-£250
• Disposal fees: £20-£50
• Potential damage repair: Unknown
• Your time: Several hours
• Total: £150-£400 plus risk

Professional Cost Comparison

Professional disposal includes:

• Team with training
• Proper equipment
• Transport vehicle
• Recycling/disposal
• Insurance coverage
• Total: £100-£300 typically

Conclusion: Professional disposal often costs less than competent DIY and eliminates risk.

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Council Collection Costs

Council Bulky Waste

If available:

Some councils collect pianos through bulky waste services:

Council	Typical Cost
Included in service	£30-£60
Piano surcharge	£20-£50 extra
Total	£50-£110

But consider:

• You must get piano to collection point (kerb)
• Not all councils accept pianos
• Waiting times can be weeks
• Limited to your council area

When Council Collection Works

Suitable if:

• Piano is already near ground level
• You can get it to kerb with help
• You have time to wait
• Council accepts pianos

When Council Collection Doesn’t Work

Not suitable if:

• Piano needs to come downstairs
• You can’t move it to kerb
• You need quick removal
• Council won’t accept pianos

Calculate true cost: If you need help getting it to kerb, council collection plus helpers may cost more than professional service.

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Hidden Costs to Consider

Costs Often Overlooked

Beyond the disposal quote:

Property damage:

• Scratched walls or floors
• Damaged doorframes
• Marks on stairs
• Repair costs: £50-£500+

Personal injury:

• Back injuries from lifting
• Crushed fingers
• Falls on stairs
• NHS is free; time off work isn’t

Disposal complications:

• Skip won’t accept piano
• Recycling centre refuses
• Have to pay twice
• Additional costs: £50-£200

Time costs:

• Researching options
• Arranging helpers
• Doing the work
• Your time has value

Professional Disposal Includes

What’s covered in a proper quote:

• All labour
• Equipment
• Transport
• Disposal/recycling fees
• Insurance coverage
• No hidden extras

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How to Get Accurate Quotes

Information Providers Need

For accurate pricing:

1. Piano type: Upright or grand
2. Piano size: Approximate height (upright) or length (grand)
3. Piano location: What floor, how many stairs
4. Access details: Door widths, tight corners, obstacles
5. Parking: Where can vehicle access
6. Timing: When you need it done

Getting Multiple Quotes

Best practice:

• Get 2-3 quotes from specialist providers
• Provide same information to each
• Compare like-for-like
• Consider reputation, not just price

Red Flags in Quotes

Watch out for:

• Much cheaper than others (may add extras)
• Vague about what’s included
• Won’t visit before quoting difficult access
• No insurance or won’t confirm
• Cash-only payment

Our Quoting Process

How A1 Piano Removals quotes:

1. You describe the piano and access
2. We ask clarifying questions
3. We provide fixed price quote
4. Price includes everything
5. No surprises on the day

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Reducing Disposal Costs

Ways to Lower Costs

Legitimate cost reduction:

Improve access:

• Clear pathway before movers arrive
• Remove doors if they obstruct
• Ensure parking is close

Be flexible on timing:

• Midweek often cheaper than weekends
• Avoid month-ends when possible
• Allow flexible time windows

Try alternatives first:

• List for free on Gumtree/Freecycle
• Contact schools and churches
• Sell even for £50 (saves disposal cost)

What Doesn’t Reduce Costs

These rarely help:

• Helping the movers (insurance issues)
• Asking for cash payment (legitimate companies don’t)
• Dismantling the piano yourself (creates problems)
• Using uninsured operators (risk not worth it)

Free Disposal?

When disposal might be free:

Occasionally, pianos with some value may be taken free:

• Playable instruments
• Known brands
• Reasonable condition
• Company can resell

Don’t count on it: Most disposals cost money. “Free disposal” claims should be questioned.

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What’s Included in the Price

Standard Professional Disposal

Typically includes:

Component	Included?
Team of trained personnel	✓
Specialist equipment	✓
Protective materials	✓
Transport vehicle	✓
Loading and unloading	✓
Disposal/recycling fees	✓
Public liability insurance	✓
Goods-in-transit insurance	✓

What’s Not Included

Potential extras:

• Waiting time (if you’re not ready)
• Additional items (other furniture)
• Storage (if you change plans)
• Certificate documentation (if required)

Questions to Ask

Before booking:

• “What does the quote include?”
• “Are there any potential extras?”
• “What happens if access is different than described?”
• “Is insurance included?”

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Expert Tips from A1 Piano Removals

From Our Pricing Experience

1. Describe access accurately: Under-describing difficulty leads to problems on the day. Be honest about stairs and tight spaces.
2. Get fixed quotes: “From £XX” can become much more. Insist on fixed pricing where possible.
3. Book in advance: Last-minute bookings may attract premiums. A few weeks’ notice usually gets better rates.
4. Compare total value: The cheapest quote isn’t always best value. Consider what’s included and provider reputation.
5. Avoid cash-only operators: Legitimate businesses accept cards and provide receipts. Cash-only often means uninsured.

Our Pricing Philosophy

What we believe:

• Quotes should be honest and comprehensive
• Price should reflect the work involved
• No hidden extras or surprises
• Fair value for professional service

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About the Author

Liam

Piano Moving Specialist

Liam is part of the A1 Piano Removals team, bringing professional expertise to every piano move.