Piano removals and specialist moves in Dorset
1st Choice Removals moves pianos, antiques, artwork and other valuable items across Dorset, either as part of a house move or on their own. Our own full-time crews plan each item's route, protect it properly and can build bespoke wooden crates for the most fragile pieces.
Piano removals
A piano is heavy, top-heavy and easily damaged, so it needs planning rather than muscle alone. Before moving day we look at the route out of your home and into the new one: steps, stairs, tight turns, door widths, floor surfaces and where the lorry can park.
On the day, our crew protect floors and door frames, wrap the piano to guard its finish, and move it with care from start to finish. We move pianos as part of a full house removal or as a single item, anywhere in Dorset and beyond.
Antiques and family heirlooms
Antique furniture often has fragile joints, veneers, glass panels or loose mouldings that a standard move would not allow for. We wrap each piece properly, protect corners and surfaces, and load it so nothing presses against it in transit.
If something is too delicate for blankets and wrapping alone, we can build a bespoke wooden crate for it. Tell us at the survey which pieces matter most, and why, so we can plan around them.
Artwork, mirrors and glass
Paintings, framed prints, large mirrors and glass-topped furniture are among the items most easily damaged in a move. We wrap them properly, keep them upright where needed, and pack them so they cannot shift.
For valuable or oversized artwork, a made-to-measure crate gives the best protection, especially for long journeys or storage.
Bespoke wooden crates
We build bespoke wooden crates to fit individual items. A crate is the right choice when an item is:
- Fragile, such as glass, marble or a delicate antique
- Valuable or irreplaceable, such as artwork or heirlooms
- Going abroad or into long term storage
- An awkward shape that normal wrapping cannot protect well
We measure the item, build the crate around it and pack it so it is held firmly inside.
Moving specialist items abroad
Pianos, antiques and artwork often travel with our European and worldwide removals. Crating is usually the safest way to ship them, and Fiona's BTEC in Customs Export and Import Procedures helps with the paperwork.
Marine insurance for anything shipped abroad must be arranged by you directly; we do not provide it. Arrange cover that reflects the true value of your specialist items before they travel.
How to book a specialist move
Every specialist move starts with seeing the item and the route. In BH postcodes and DT11, Book your free home visit. From anywhere else, Get an online quote, which works well for a single piano if you film the route out of the house.
Then you get a quote based on what we have seen. Call 01202 570970 or email admin@1stchoiceremovals.net. Moving a whole house as well? See our home removals page.
Your questions answered
How much does it cost to move a piano in Dorset?
It depends on the piano, the access at both addresses and the distance, so we do not publish set prices. Stairs, steps, narrow doorways and parking all make a difference. 1st Choice Removals gives a free quote after a free home visit in BH postcodes and DT11, or from a short video you send showing the piano and the route out of your home if you are elsewhere.
Can you move just a piano without a full house move?
Yes. We move pianos as single items as well as part of a full house removal, whether it is going across Poole, to a family member elsewhere in Dorset or further afield. The move is carried out by our own full-time, uniformed crew and is fully insured for goods in transit, exactly as it would be on a full house move.
Should I get my piano tuned after moving?
Usually, yes. Moving, and especially a change in temperature and humidity between homes, can put a piano out of tune even when it is handled carefully. Most tuners suggest letting the piano settle in its new room for a few weeks before tuning, so it adjusts to the conditions first. Book your tuner once it has had time to settle.
Can you move a piano up or down stairs?
Often, yes, but it depends on the stairs, the turns and the size of the piano, which is why we look at access before quoting. At the survey we check the full route, including steps outside, landings and door widths. If there is a problem, we will tell you honestly and talk through the options before moving day.
What is a bespoke wooden crate and when do I need one?
A bespoke wooden crate is a made-to-measure timber case built around a single item to hold it firmly and protect it from knocks. It is worth considering for fragile, valuable or irreplaceable items such as artwork, marble, glass or antiques, and for anything going abroad or into long term storage. We can advise at your survey.
How should I prepare my piano for moving day?
Clear the top of the piano and the space around it, close and lock the lid if it has a key, and remove anything stored inside the stool. Tell us about steps, gravel paths or tight turns on both routes, and whether the new room has a solid floor. Please do not try to move it yourself beforehand, even a short distance.
Are antiques and artwork insured during the move?
Yes. All our moves are fully insured for goods in transit, including specialist items. Tell us about valuable pieces at the survey so we can plan how to protect them. If your antiques or artwork are being shipped abroad, marine insurance must be arranged by you directly, as 1st Choice Removals does not provide it.