Upright vs Grand Piano Removals: Weight, Access and Cost
An upright and a grand are not the same job with different dimensions — they are handled by completely different methods. An upright is walked on its castors and controlled with straps. A grand is dismantled, laid on its bass side on a padded board, and reassembled and levelled at the other end.
That difference explains almost everything about the cost gap. Here is what changes between the two, and what to check before booking either through our piano moving service.
The practical differences
| Upright | Grand | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical weight | 200 – 350kg | 300 – 550kg+ |
| Dismantling | None required | Legs and lyre removed |
| Transport position | Upright on trolley | On bass side, on a board |
| Crew size | 3 | 4 |
| Time on site | 45 – 90 minutes | 2 – 3 hours |
| Typical cost | £220 – £500 | £400 – £900 |
| Reassembly | Position and level | Refit legs, lyre, level carefully |
Why uprights are more forgiving
The weight in an upright sits toward the back over the castors, which means it can be tipped and rolled under control. On stairs it is walked down a step at a time with straps taking the load rather than the crew carrying it outright.
What defeats an upright is geometry rather than weight — the diagonal clearance at a tenement half-landing turn, or a close entrance narrower than the instrument. Our guide to moving a piano up tenement stairs covers exactly what to measure.
Why grands cost roughly double
- Partial dismantling. Legs and pedal lyre come off and are wrapped and crated separately.
- The case travels on its side. Lowering a 400kg case onto a padded skid board is a four-person operation.
- More protection. The lid, music desk and finish all need individual wrapping.
- Reassembly and levelling. Refitting and levelling properly takes as long as the transport did.
- Vehicle space. A grand on a board occupies far more of the load bed than its footprint suggests.
Baby grand, parlour grand or concert
Grand is a category, not a size. A baby grand at around 150cm is manageable through most domestic doorways once dismantled. A parlour or semi-concert grand at 180 to 210cm needs genuine planning, and a full concert grand at 275cm is survey-only work with access checked at every stage.
When you enquire, measure the case length from the keyboard to the far curve. That single figure tells us more than the make or model does.
What to check before booking either
- Measure the narrowest point on the route, not the doorway
- Measure the diagonal clearance at any stair turn
- Confirm floor level and whether a lift exists
- Check parking and whether a dispensation is needed — see the permit guide
- Declare the instrument value in advance for insurance purposes
- Book tuning for two to four weeks after the move, not the same week
Digital pianos are a different conversation
A digital piano weighs 20 to 60kg and is handled as a furniture item rather than a specialist move. If that is what you have, furniture removals or a man with a van will be considerably cheaper than a specialist piano booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is a grand always more expensive?
Almost always, because of dismantling and crew size. The exception is a small baby grand on flat ground-floor access versus a full upright up four flights.
Can a grand go up tenement stairs?
Often yes, once dismantled, with a four-person crew. It needs assessing first.
Do you reassemble at the other end?
Yes, including refitting the legs and lyre and levelling the instrument.
How much for both in one move?
Cheaper combined than booked separately — see the piano moving cost guide.
Moving an upright or a grand? Send us the case measurement and photos of the access route for an accurate fixed price. Get a free fixed quote or call +44 7424 958288.
Moving in Glasgow?
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