Frequently asked questions.

Yes. Our online auction catalogue is published before each sale and includes detailed descriptions, photographs, auction estimates, and condition reports for every piano entered into the auction.

An auction estimate is the price range we believe a piano is likely to achieve based on recent auction results, market demand, age, condition, brand, and model.

Yes. Every piano is inspected by our experienced team before the auction takes place. Information gathered during the inspection is included in the condition report of each lot.

Yes. We strongly encourage all buyers to attend the viewing period and inspect the pianos before placing bids. This takes place on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday prior to the auction.

Viewing appointments can be booked online, by telephone, or by contacting our office directly. Advance booking is recommended, particularly during busy viewing days.

Yes. Our experienced piano specialists are available throughout the viewing period to answer questions regarding condition, tone, age, restoration history, and suitability.

Yes. Our team will be happy to guide first-time buyers through the auction process, including registration, bidding, payment, and delivery arrangements.

As auction purchases, pianos are generally sold as seen. Buyers should inspect the instrument during the viewing period and review the catalogue information before bidding.

You can bid in person, online, by telephone, or by leaving an absentee bid for the auctioneer to execute on your behalf.

Registration is quick and straightforward. Simply create an account with Easyliveauction then register for the auction itself. To bid in person, via telephone or with an absentee bid, we will send you a registration form via Signable to complete before the auction begins.

Pianos are sold in lot number order, beginning with the lowest lot number and progressing sequentially throughout the auction.

Both are possible. Some pianos sell below estimate, while particularly desirable instruments may exceed their published auction estimate due to competitive bidding. Remember all estimates are based on what similar pianos have sold for.

A buyer's premium is added to the hammer price of each successful bid. Our premium is 24% plus VAT (28.8%).

Payment is required within 2 days following the auction and can be made by bank transfer. Your piano will then be released to your chosen carrier or transport company.

No. We work with three specialist piano transport companies and can arrange delivery throughout the UK and internationally who would be more than happy to provide you with a quote.

Simply fill out our delivery form online with your details and the lot number of the piano you are interested in, and you will receive a delivery quotation from one of our approved piano transport partners.

Selling your piano is straightforward: submit a valuation request, receive your auction valuation, confirm and sign the auction contract, arrange collection, piano setup and preparation, the viewing period, the auction sale, then receive your sale proceeds.

Yes. We accept pianos in a wide range of conditions. Even if your piano requires tuning, repairs, or restoration, it may still be suitable for auction.

Simply complete our online valuation form and provide photographs, the serial number, and any information you have about the piano. Our specialists will then provide an auction valuation.

Our fees are 15% plus VAT. Full details of commission, and any associated charges will be clearly outlined before you commit to selling.

No. Auction fees are deducted from the sale proceeds, meaning there is usually nothing to pay in advance.

In many cases, a piano can be entered into the next available auction, allowing it to be sold within a matter of weeks.

The contract outlines the auction terms, commission, collection arrangements, warranty, and payment process. Our team will explain everything before you sign.

Collection can often be arranged within a few days, depending on your location and the transport companies schedule.

Upright piano: from £180 plus VAT. Grand piano: from £280 plus VAT. This is based on the collection being in England and Wales with easy ground floor access.

Yes. Every piano is handled by specialist piano movers and stored securely throughout the auction process. Loss and Damage Warranty cover is also available to protect the piano whilst in transit and storage.

Yes. Every piano entered into the auction is professionally photographed for inclusion in the online auction catalogue.

We can arrange your piano to be tuned at a cost of £80 plus VAT.

We can arrange your piano to be cleaned at a cost of £45 plus VAT for an upright piano and £90 plus VAT for a grand piano.

Pianos are typically available for public viewing during the dedicated viewing period immediately before the auction. Pianos will be on view on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The auction takes place at 12:00pm and can last anywhere between 3 and 4 hours.

If your piano remains unsold, we will normally invite post-auction offers and discuss the available options with you, including entry into our next auction.

Sale proceeds are typically paid as soon as possible and within 21 days of the auction, subject to the buyer's payment clearing and completion of the sale.

No. We provide free auction valuations for pianos that may be suitable for sale through one of our specialist piano auctions.

An auction valuation is an estimate of the price range your piano is likely to achieve at auction based on its make, model, age, condition, and what similar pianos have sold for in the past.

A written formal valuation is a professional document prepared for legal, financial, insurance, probate, or taxation purposes and includes a detailed assessment of your piano's value.

A probate valuation provides the market value of a piano for estate administration and inheritance tax purposes following a bereavement.

An insurance valuation determines the replacement value of a piano for insurance cover in the event of loss, theft, or damage.

We provide auction, probate, insurance, matrimonial, estate administration, charitable donation, and professional written piano valuations.

We typically require the piano's make, model (if known), serial number, photographs, and your location to provide an accurate valuation.

The serial number is usually located inside the piano on the cast iron frame near the tuning pins. It helps determine the piano's age and value.

The model designation is often found near the manufacturer's name, on the cast iron frame, inside the piano, or on a manufacturer's label.

We recommend photographs of the entire piano, keyboard, serial number, manufacturer's name, pedals, and the internal strings and tuning pins.

Most piano valuations are completed within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the required information and photographs.

A piano valuation helps establish the current market value of your instrument for sale, auction, probate, insurance, estate administration, or financial planning purposes.

Viewing days run the week before each auction at both Watford and Bodegraven. Bookable slots and open hours are listed on the auction calendar page.

Booking is recommended for weekends and afternoons. You can drop in during published hours without an appointment.

Yes. There is no charge for your tuner or piano technician to inspect a lot during viewing days.

Yes. Email a specialist and we will send written notes plus close photos of the lot you are interested in. Reports are usually ready by the Friday before the viewing.

We work with specialist piano carriers including Griffin Transport, Butler Smith and Griffioen. Each is fully insured and piano-trained. We share your enquiry with all three for an indicative quote.

Indicative UK rates from £180 for an upright and £280 for a grand. EU rates from €195 and €295 via Griffioen Transport. Exact quotes depend on collection point and access at the delivery address.

All pianos must be removed from the auction venue by 16:00 on the Thursday following the auction. Storage charges apply to anything left beyond that. Free storage for 14 days after invoice.

Yes. Collection from our Watford warehouse is by appointment, Monday to Friday. Bring a vehicle suitable for the piano you have bought.

Upright and grand pianos from the leading makers — Steinway, Yamaha, Bechstein, Bösendorfer, Blüthner, Schimmel, Kawai, Fazioli — through to less prominent names that still attract demand. We also sell historic and harpsichord lots in select sales.

Yes. Our preferred carriers cover the UK and mainland Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France). For destinations beyond Europe, we can recommend specialist freight forwarders.

Yes. All consigned pianos are insured by Piano Auctions Ltd from the moment of collection through to delivery to the buyer or back to the seller in the event of an unsold lot.

We assess every piano on its merits. Some old uprights have very little market value and we will tell you honestly. In some cases we can arrange a free disposal collection alongside a sale of another instrument.