It’s surprisingly common to find a piano still sitting in a property after its owners have moved on. Whether it’s tucked into the corner of a living room or occupying pride of place in a hallway, many pianos end up being left behind. For those not aware it can see like a nice gesture but often it's not because they were forgotten, but because moving or disposing of them can be costly, complicated, and time-consuming.
The Hidden Costs of Moving a Piano
Pianos are heavy, delicate, and awkward to move. A standard upright can weigh 200–300 kg, while a grand can easily exceed 500 kg. Moving one safely requires specialist equipment, protective wrapping, and skilled handling to avoid damage — both to the piano and to walls, floors, and staircases. Because of this, many removers charge extra for transporting a piano, and not every moving company will even take one.
Faced with those additional costs, some people simply decide to leave the piano behind and let the next occupants deal with it.
Disposal Isn’t Straightforward Either
When a piano reaches the end of its life — perhaps due to severe structural damage, a cracked frame, or delamination of soundboard and bridges — it’s often no longer commercially viable to restore. Unless the instrument has sentimental value, full restoration can far exceed the value of a good-quality used replacement.
At Millers Music, we believe pianos should be used and reused wherever possible. However, every acoustic piano has a finite lifespan, and once that’s reached, the responsible option is to recycle or dispose of it properly.
Recycling and Disposal Options
Recycling an acoustic piano involves breaking it down into it's different waste streams: wood, metal, and felt components — a process that’s time-consuming and labour-intensive. Most people understandably aren’t equipped or inclined to tackle this themselves.
The most practical options are:
Professional piano movers, who can remove and recycle old instruments safely.
Local storage or removal companies, many of whom can handle piano disposals cost-effectively.
Council-approved bulk waste collections, though it’s worth noting that many local authorities classify pianos as non-collectable bulk items, meaning they may refuse to take them as part of standard large-item pickups.
Costs vary depending on the location, type of mover, and timescale but it's not unreasonable to see Upright piano removal and disposal costs of £200-400 and £300-500 for a grand piano. There is a considerable amount of labour cost for two and possibly even three people if the piano needs to be moved up or down stairs.
A Responsible Ending
Leaving a piano behind might seem like the easiest option during a stressful move, but it often creates problems for the next occupants or landlords. Instead, arranging professional removal or recycling ensures the instrument is handled responsibly and, where possible, its materials are reused.
Every piano has a story, and while not all can be saved, ensuring that each reaches a respectful end is part of keeping the history of these wonderful instruments alive.
Simon
With over 25 years experience, I've been fortunate enough to literally travel the world visiting factories and music shops, talking to master technicians and engineers, building up a huge knowledge and understanding of the market, products, and concepts.
I am driven by the belief that music is hugely important and should be accessible to all. I advocate for repair and reuse in the industry and across society.