The reality of piano disposal
Pianos are one of the most misunderstood items in junk removal. Most people overestimate what their piano is worth, underestimate what removal costs, and don't know that the piano market has effectively collapsed.
The hard truth: most pre-1980 upright pianos have negligible resale value, even in good condition. Acoustic piano demand has dropped sharply over the last 30 years as digital pianos became cheaper and apartment-living became more common. Piano tuners report that 80%+ of pianos brought to them for sale assessment have a market value under $200 — sometimes free with pickup.
Uprights weigh 300-500 pounds. Baby grands weigh 500-700 pounds. Full concert grands weigh 900-1,300 pounds. They have specific lift points, balance points, and structural constraints — improper lifting can injure the lifter, damage the piano, or break expensive flooring underneath.
Donation is the right first step when the piano is in playable condition. Local music schools, churches, community centers, theater groups, and music therapy programs sometimes accept piano donations. Salvation Army and ARC will occasionally take pianos but most don't have the storage or transport capacity. The Piano Adoption Network and PianoStreet are matching services that connect free pianos with families and schools, but the pickup logistics are still on you.
When donation doesn't work — broken sound board, water damage, missing keys, structural cracks, or simply no one wants it — we handle the removal. Stair-access piano removal is one of our specialty service lines.
Pricing for piano removal
Piano pricing by type and access:
- $130–$170
- $170–$245
- $210–$260
- $260–$335
- quoted on-site
A note on labor-intensive jobs: Piano removal is one of the most labor-time-variable services. Stairs, narrow doorways, second-floor walk-ups, or pianos in unusual rooms (basements, attics) can significantly extend job time. We quote in writing before any work begins.
Curbside pickup discounts: Not typically applicable for pianos (rarely staged at curb), but if the piano is on a ground-floor with direct truck access we offer a discount.
Where it actually goes
Donation first when possible. Playable pianos in good condition with a working sound board route to local partners: music schools, churches, theater programs, community centers, music therapy organizations. The Piano Adoption Network connects free pianos with families and schools — we coordinate with them when timing allows.
Salvageable parts. Even non-playable pianos have parts with value: ivory keys (older pianos only, pre-1970), iron harp frames (substantial scrap value), brass hardware, wood components, hammers and felts. We coordinate with piano rebuilders and salvagers who reclaim these components.
Component recycling. Iron, brass, copper, and other metals route to scrap metal recyclers. The wood case is recyclable through wood recycling channels when applicable.
The remainder — broken sound boards, damaged action mechanisms, contaminated felts — routes to permitted landfill.
Disposal options before calling us
Alternatives to professional piano removal:
Donate to a music program
Reach out to local music schools, churches, or theater groups before paying for removal. Some programs will pick up free if the piano is in playable condition. The Piano Adoption Network (pianoadoption.com) is a free matching service. Pros: free, the piano serves another family. Cons: weeks to months of timeline, no guarantee of match.
Craigslist / Nextdoor / Facebook Marketplace free listing
"Free piano — you transport" listings often get response. Pros: free, sometimes same-week pickup. Cons: many no-shows, sometimes you wait for a buyer who never arrives, can take weeks.
Moving company haul
Some moving companies will pick up an old piano if you're hiring them for an actual move. Negotiate it as part of your moving estimate. Pros: bundled with existing service. Cons: only works if you're moving.
What to expect from our crew
Text us photos of the piano (front, back, keyboard view), the room location, and the access route (stairs, doorways, hallways). Written quote in 10 minutes.
Standard crew is three for pianos due to weight. We bring piano dollies, lift straps, floor protection, and door clearance tools. Disassembly of legs and pedals is included where required. Most piano removals take 30-90 minutes on site depending on access complexity.
We coordinate donation pickup with partner organizations when the piano qualifies. Otherwise we handle removal and route components appropriately.