Stringing materials estimates (tech)

[DGPEAKE@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 5/24/99 9:14:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
torrella@umich.edu writes:

<< Let me preface by asking for replies to be copied directly to me since I
 read the list in digest and searching for replies can be tricky.
 
 I wonder if some of you with lots and lots of restringing experience would
 care to explain how, when you're writing up a job estimate, you figure out
 how much string you're going to use in a given wire size. Do you base your
 guess in terms of how many 1# coils you'd use or do you figure by the
 foot, anticipating that 1# and 5# coils have a certain amount of footage
 per reel? Then, when you're figuring materials costs, do you figure a
 specific charge per unison or do you just estimate the footage used and
 charge by the foot?
 
 I've often wondered if one of those foot-counters (like they have in the
 hardware store for measuring out small tubing) would be a worthwhile
 investment to keep tabs on how much wire is actually used.
 
 Owen Jorgensen used to joke that he thought it wouldn't be too
 off-the-wall to charge for the mileage you put on your shoes when
 stringing pianos. On a 9' it can really add up! :-)
 
 Thanks for the replies!
 
 Ron Torrella, RPT
 Piano Technician
 University of Michigan		   "

I had to give a cost to a Steinway A I restrung for a local dealer.  Since I 
do rescaling,  it was easy to calculate how many feet I used throughout the 
piano. The I looked in my supply book and averaged the amount per foot I 
used.  The cost of bass strings is already there.

Hope this helps.

Dave Peake, RPT
Portland Chapter
Oregon City, OR