A piano nobody plays is one of the heaviest, most awkward objects you can own. Even a small upright weighs 300 to 500 pounds. A baby grand can weigh 500 to 700 pounds. A full concert grand can top 1,200 pounds. The center of gravity is unpredictable, the weight is concentrated on small casters that mark every floor they touch, and the cast-iron plate inside can shift unexpectedly during a lift if the piano is tilted the wrong way. This is why "let me ask my brother-in-law to help" is a recipe for a broken back, a cracked stairwell wall, or a dropped piano that is no longer salvageable.
Empire Junk Pick Up is the locally owned, properly equipped piano removal team the Inland Empire trusts. We have removed pianos from second-floor apartments, from sunken living rooms, from narrow stairwells, and from properties where every previous mover had quoted "impossible." The price is flat-rate. The job is single-visit. Call (909) 561-0437 for a free quote.
Pianos We Remove
Every piano is unique, but they fall into a handful of categories.
Upright Pianos
The most common piano in American homes. A vertical-string design that ranges from 36-inch spinets up to 52-inch full uprights. Weight typically falls between 300 and 800 pounds. We remove all sizes.
Console and Studio Pianos
Mid-sized vertical pianos common in homes and music studios. Generally 40 to 48 inches tall. Weight is similar to standard uprights.
Baby Grand Pianos
Horizontal-string pianos roughly 5 to 6 feet long. The defining feature is the curved tail. Weight typically ranges from 500 to 700 pounds. Removal requires a piano dolly, removal of the legs and lyre, and careful navigation through doorways.
Grand and Concert Grand Pianos
Full-size grand pianos, 6 to 9 feet long. Weight can exceed 1,000 pounds. These are the most challenging removals and require the most preparation, including disassembly into a "skid" position for transport.
Player Pianos
Older mechanical or electronic player pianos with internal mechanisms that add weight and complexity. We remove these the same as standard uprights.
Digital Pianos and Keyboards
Far easier than acoustic pianos. Digital pianos and keyboards are essentially furniture-weight and are removed the same way we remove other furniture. If you are unsure whether your "piano" is acoustic or digital, send a photo and we can tell you on the spot.
Why Piano Removal Is Specialized
Piano removal is not a regular furniture move. The challenges are specific.
Concentrated Weight
A 500-pound upright stands on three or four small casters, each of which puts huge point-load pressure on whatever floor it touches. Hardwood, tile, vinyl plank, and laminate all dent or scratch easily under a piano caster. Drywall and door trim are even more vulnerable when a piano slides past them.
Internal Cast Iron
Inside every acoustic piano is a cast-iron plate (sometimes called the "harp") that holds the strings under tens of thousands of pounds of tension. This plate accounts for most of the weight, and it is centered in the piano, which means the piano's center of gravity is high and unpredictable.
Stairs
Stairs are the single most dangerous part of a piano move. Going down, the piano's weight wants to run away from the movers and crush whoever is at the bottom. Going up, the weight wants to slip back and crush whoever is at the bottom. Either way, controlling the descent or ascent requires straps, the right number of crew members, and proper technique.
Doorways and Turns
A 90-degree turn at the top of a staircase. A doorway that is two inches narrower than the piano. A sunken living room with a step-down that is at an awkward angle. These are the kinds of access challenges that experienced piano movers solve every week.
Tipping
Tipping a piano on its back during a move can shift the cast-iron plate and damage the action (the keys and hammers mechanism). A piano can be tipped at certain angles for transport but not others. Knowing which is which is part of the job.
How Our Piano Removal Process Works
Step 1: Send Photos
Send us photos of the piano (front, side, and from a distance to show access path) plus a description of any stairs, narrow doorways, or unusual access. Text to (909) 561-0437 or use the form above. We give you a flat-rate quote within minutes during business hours.
Step 2: Plan the Route
For challenging removals (second-floor pianos, narrow stairwells, sunken living rooms), we plan the route in advance. We may walk the access path with you mentally over the phone before scheduling the appointment.
Step 3: Crew Arrives With the Right Equipment
A piano removal job gets a crew of two to four, depending on size and access. We arrive with piano dollies (heavy-duty, four-wheeled), lifting straps, moving blankets, ramps for stairs if needed, and floor protection.
Step 4: Prep the Piano
Pedals, lyres, music desks, and grand piano legs are removed where applicable. Soft parts are wrapped in moving blankets to protect both the piano and the walls.
Step 5: Move and Load
The piano is rolled or strap-carried to the truck along the planned route. Stairs are handled by a crew of three or four with proper strap technique. The piano is loaded onto the truck and secured.
Step 6: Disposal or Donation
Most pianos that get removed are at the end of their life and are no longer playable, repairable, or wanted by donation programs. They go to a state-permitted disposal facility, where the metal harp is recycled as scrap and the wood and other components go to landfill.
If your piano is in playable condition, we can sometimes route it to a school music program, a church, or a piano dealer that takes trade-ins, but this is increasingly rare. Most piano teachers, schools, and donation programs in California stopped accepting older free pianos a decade ago because of an oversupply.
Why Pianos Are Hard to Donate
A common surprise for piano owners is how difficult it is to give away an older piano. Twenty years ago, schools, churches, and community programs eagerly accepted donated pianos. Today, most do not. The reasons are simple. Older pianos require expensive tuning (every six months at minimum), occasional regulation, and eventual rebuilding work. Storage space is limited. Digital pianos have largely replaced acoustic pianos for teaching and casual playing. The market is flooded with free pianos, and most are not worth the cost of moving and tuning them.
If your piano is genuinely high-quality (a respected brand in good playable condition), it may have resale value through a private sale on a local resale platform. If it is a typical 40-year-old upright that is out of tune and has not been played in years, removal is usually the right call.
Piano Removal Pricing Factors
We give you a single flat-rate quote, but here is what affects it.
Piano Size and Weight
Bigger pianos cost more to move. A small 36-inch spinet is faster than a 52-inch full upright, which is faster than a baby grand, which is faster than a full grand.
Crew Size
Small uprights can be done with a two-person crew. Baby grands and full grands typically require three or four. Stairs add a person to the crew.
Stairs and Access
Ground-floor pianos with wide doorways are the easy case. Pianos on a second floor, in a sunken living room, behind a 90-degree turn, or down a narrow hallway add complexity and time.
Distance to Truck
A piano next to the front door is the fast case. A piano at the back of a long property requires more careful rolling.
Donation or Disposal
Pianos that are routed to donation may incur slightly different logistics than pianos going straight to disposal, but the impact on the customer's quote is usually minimal.
Service Area for Piano Removal
Piano removal is available across the entire Inland Empire: Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Rialto, Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Highland, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Upland, Montclair, Bloomington, Grand Terrace, Chino, Chino Hills, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and surrounding cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does piano removal cost?
Piano removal cost depends on the size, location, and access. Upright pianos on a ground floor with easy access are the most affordable. Baby grands, full grands, and pianos with stair access cost more because of the crew size and equipment required. Empire Junk Pick Up provides flat-rate quotes that include all labor, equipment, and disposal. Text photos to (909) 561-0437 for an exact price.
Can you move a piano down a flight of stairs?
Yes. Stair removals are a routine part of piano removal work. We use lifting straps, additional crew, and proper technique to control the descent safely. There is no separate "stair fee" added later; stairs are factored into the original flat-rate quote.
Do you take baby grand and grand pianos?
Yes. Baby grands, full grands, and concert grands are all within our capability. Larger pianos require larger crews and more preparation, but they come down (and out) safely with the right technique.
Will my floors get damaged?
No. We use floor protection (moving blankets, runners, and dollies with proper wheel bearings) to prevent damage to hardwood, tile, vinyl plank, laminate, and carpet. Piano casters are extremely concentrated point loads, so we avoid letting the piano touch your floor directly during the move.
Can my piano be donated instead of disposed of?
In rare cases, yes. Most older pianos cannot be donated because schools, churches, and community programs in California stopped accepting them years ago due to oversupply and tuning costs. If your piano is a high-quality brand in playable condition, it may have resale value through a private sale.
How long does piano removal take?
Most piano removals are completed in 30 to 90 minutes from arrival. Complex moves (second-floor grand pianos, very tight stairwells) can take longer.
Do you tune the new piano you are bringing?
We do not deliver new pianos. We only remove pianos. For new piano delivery, you typically work with a piano dealer or a specialized piano-only moving company.
Can you remove a player piano?
Yes. Player pianos and old reproducing pianos (Ampico, Duo-Art, etc.) are removed using the same process as standard uprights, although the additional internal mechanism makes them slightly heavier.
Do you do same-day piano removal?
Often yes, depending on schedule. Smaller uprights with easy access are easier to fit into a same-day window. Larger pianos with stairs may need to be scheduled with more advance notice so we can plan the right crew size.
Is the piano scrapped or recycled?
Acoustic pianos contain a large cast-iron harp that is recycled as scrap metal. Wood and other components typically go to landfill at a state-permitted disposal facility. We sort and route every piano accordingly.