Specialist piano removal team
Run a two-person team with a tail-lift truck, moving uprights, grands and heavy instruments for homes and venues.
- A$60k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A full-time piano moving business with a purpose-fitted truck (tail lift, tie-down rails, padding) and a trained two-person crew. You handle uprights, baby grands and grand pianos, plus organs and harps. You also take on stairs, cranes and tight access jobs.
Your first three steps
- Work a few months for an established piano mover or removalist to learn grand piano handling, if you can
- Price a second-hand tail-lift truck and specialist gear, then check what licence the truck needs
- Set up a business name, ABN and insurance, then contact piano dealers, tuners, schools and venues about regular work
Who pays
Homeowners, schools, universities, churches, concert venues, hotels, piano dealers and removalist companies that subcontract specialist moves.
How it makes money
A fixed price per move, higher for grands, stairs and long distance. Interstate and regional runs and regular subcontract work for dealers and venues help fill the week.
Skills that help
- Safe heavy lifting and rigging
- Quoting and scheduling jobs
- Professional customer service
- Confident driving a larger truck
Watch out for
- Trucks over 4.5 tonne GVM need a heavier licence class, check with your state road authority
- Insurance for goods in transit, public liability and the truck, with cover limits suited to high-value grand pianos
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire, and workplace health and safety duties, check your state's rules
- Jobs that need a crane or hoist may need extra permits or specialist contractors, check with your council
- Higher fixed costs from truck finance and fuel, don't buy before you have regular work lined up
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: specialist piano removal team
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a specialist piano removal business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $60,000 to $150,000, depending on the truck, tail lift, padding and insurance. Avoid buying a truck before you have regular work lined up.
How much can a piano removal team earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on how many jobs you complete, the mix of uprights and grands, and how much work comes from dealers and venues.
What licences and insurance should I check for piano removals?
Check whether your truck needs a heavier licence class, particularly over 4.5 tonne GVM, with your state road authority. Also check goods in transit, public liability and vehicle insurance limits, workers compensation, and any permits needed for crane jobs.
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