Can You Move a Piano Yourself? (Read This First)
The honest answer on DIY piano moving — when it's just about possible, when it's reckless, and what insurance won't cover.
Short answer: don't. A modern upright weighs 200–350 kg; a concert grand can exceed 500 kg. Most household contents insurance excludes DIY piano damage entirely.
The real risks
- Crushed fingers and feet — the most common A&E injury
- Snapped soundboards and bent harps (a £5,000+ repair)
- Damaged floors, walls, and staircases — your liability, not the insurer's
- Loss of tuning stability for 6–12 months
A specialist piano move costs less than a single A&E visit and is fully insured. It is one of the few moves where DIY genuinely is not worth it.
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