It seems a travesty to take your piano to the dump, but if you know anyone who’s tried to get rid of one of these old instruments, you’ll already know how difficult it is. Pianos take up space and are not that easy to move, even if you can find them a new home.
Nowadays, the lure of a digital keyboard is irresistible to new pianists. Lightweight, portable, and with diverse electronic programs to enhance playing, a traditional piano just can’t compete.
If you’re left wondering what to do with your old faithful, our guide is here to help.
The Challenges of Piano Donation
Many American households in CA have 20th-century pianos with no real value or resale market. Donating the instrument seems to be the logical next step, but start calling around, and you’ll be lucky to find an interested non-profit organization.
The reason is that there’s no real market for old pianos unless you have an exceptional rarity or a high-end new instrument by a top maker that’s under 25 years old. So, let’s take a look at some next steps.
What Is the Best Way To Get Rid of a Piano?
List Online
If the piano is working and well-looked after, it’s worth trying an online listing. Try Craiglist or Facebook, but don’t expect a deluge of responses. You might get lucky, but if not, at least it’s free to advertise.
Upcycling and Repurposing
From home bars to bookshelves, desks, and even aquariums, if you can’t face getting rid of your trust instrument, why not incorporate it into your interiors and give it a fresh function? It could just be the new lease of life your piano is looking for.
Repurposing it means you can keep and use it or sell it as an attractive, upcycled piece of furniture.
Piano Donation
Donating your piano to a non-profit organization is possible if it’s in good working order and is worth something. Charities benefit from the residual value and can sell the instrument to raise money.
You can try the Piano Donation Project, but you’ll need either a quality grand piano from a known maker or a newer upright—less than twenty years old—in good condition.
If you file a tax return, you’ll also benefit from donating your piano to an authorized public benefit organization. Donating to a qualifying non-profit will allow you to deduct the instrument’s full and fair market value from your income tax file.
You’ll need to work out the value. If you think it’s worth more than $5,000, you’ll need an independent valuation to support the amount you deduct from your taxes. You can hire an appraiser from the American Society of Appraisers.
Another option in the Bay Area is the Music Guild which provides a free service for donating pianos and other instruments to music teachers and serious music students under its piano adoption program. The scheme is for talented musicians who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access instruments to further their education.
There are three Guild-affiliated drop-off points in the Bay Area. It must be in good working order, and you’ll need to check the qualifying criteria first.
Piano Removal and Disposal
If all else fails, a professional piano removal company like Nixxit will take your old piano off your hands, removing the headache of hauling and disposing of it. Not every junk removal company collects pianos, so always check with them first.
As part of our environmental commitment, we guarantee to recycle or donate 80% of what we haul.
Need Help with Furniture Removal in the Bay Area, CA?
Nixxit Junk Removal can help with your furniture removal needs in the Bay Area.
- Full-Service Furniture Removal and Sorting
- We Do the Heavy Lifting and Loading
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Donation and Recycling
- Same Day Appointments Available!
What To Consider Before Getting Rid of a Piano
Condition
If you’ve tried to get rid of a piano or know someone who has, you’ll be only too aware of just how hard it is. Only exceptional pianos can often find a new home, either because they’re rare or in terrific condition.
Be honest about the condition of your piano; if it’s shabby, realistically, no one will want it. However, good casework might mean you can find it home just as a piece of furniture. It must also be in good working order and regularly maintained.
Value
There are rare and valuable pianos out there, but unless your piano is at least antique, it’s unlikely to catch a collector’s eye. Conversely, very new pianos—under 25 years old—by makers like Steinway and Yamaha can make mega bucks.
Any dealer will tell you that a piano’s market value depends on age, interior condition, and maintenance.
A dealer can give you a realistic appraisal of your piano’s value. The downside is that dealers tend to offer low prices, even if your piano has value.
Practicality
When you’re planning what to do, stop and think about logistics. The average piano weighs between 200 and 1,200 lbs, so even if you find a new home for your instrument, you’ll need some serious muscle power to move it.
If you can sell your piano or find a non-profit to take it, consider whether you’ll need expert removal and transportation and what it’ll cost. Generally, pianos require a professional removal service to avoid damage.
Need Help Disposing of an Old Piano in the Bay Area, CA? We Can Help.
Disposing of an old piano is tricky; it all comes down to what you’ve got. First, you’ll need to establish if your piano has any commercial value, as then it’ll interest non-profit organizations and potentially piano dealers for resale. If there’s no real value, and you’ve tried online on social media and Craiglist, repurposing or disposal are the only options.
Get in touch with Nixxit today; if we can’t donate it, we’ll dismantle, recycle, and dispose of all the different parts of your piano in an environmentally friendly way.
