[pianotech] Charging by job, or by hour?

[Tom Servinsky]

A couple of things on this thread:
There are certain repair procedures which are predictable enough for one to set a set price, such as the bridle strap replacement. Once you've done the procedure enough of times you start to figure how much it takes, and then times that amount for one's hourly rate, one can start to establish a comfortable fee for a given repair.
The real profit is when one get better and better at that procedure, lessening the time it takes to complete the job and still be able to charge that same amount.  That's the experience factor which pays for itself over time.
But the point that I wanted to add is that there other procedures such as high level regulating and voicing which demand much more attention to detail, thus make charging my the job a much more difficult call. It's not a matter of saying time's up, I'm done. It's when the procedure has been met, and agrees with the client's expectations of the job. Work for any major named artist and those words ring loud and clear.
My rule of thumb is to know the piano you are working with. If someone calls me by thumbing through the yellow pages and ask what my regulating fee is, I resort to giving a range of possibilities. Due to that fact I don't know the instrument, it's impossible to ascertain the degree of issues one my might be confronted with.
But if it's a piano I know and have serviced regularly and finally the issue of regulating comes up, then it's simple matter of figuring the amount of time you know will be the maximum amt. of hours and x that my your hourly rate.
But again, all of this comes with years of experience to safeguard your hourly worth.  No one likes to give away the farm. Do that enough times, it starts to hurt financially. It also takes then enjoyment factor out of some of these procedures.
 One  quickly learns to figure things out on a higher level so that these procedures are profitable, and most of all, enjoyable.
Tom Servinsky 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: tnrwim at aol.com 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 10:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Charging by job, or by hour?




    In  my  "Point  -  Blank"  Business class. 
    I emphasize these words

      '   ''''''  CHARGE   FOR  WHAT YOU DELIVER  """  

       NOT FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO DELIVER IT.
  To a point, I agree. But on what do you base you charge to deliver? Do you just pick a figure out of the air and hope the customer says yes?

  There are two reasons I have a chart of my work, based on how long it take me to do the work. First is to not cheat myself. I don't remember exactly how long it takes to do each job, so I have it written down. I look at the chart, and tell the customer it will cost $300 to replace a set of bridle straps. If she likes the price, we have a deal. If not, I know that I'm not going to loose money doing it for less. It is my choice to decide to reduce the amount, based on how hungry I am that week. 

  The seond reason I use a chart is not to cheat my customers. When I quote Mrs. James $300 to replace the bridle straps, I want to make sure I quote the same figure to Mrs. Jones, because there is a chance that Mrs. James and Mrs. Jones are sister. If I quote Mrs. James $300 and Mrs. Jones $450, there will be questions I don't want to answer

  Wim  





  -----Original Message-----
  From: JWyatt1492 <JWyatt1492 at aol.com>
  To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
  Sent: Wed, Jul 21, 2010 9:53 am
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Charging by job, or by hour?


  Hello Tom and All.


      In  my  "Point  -  Blank"  Business class. 
  I emphasize these words

    '   ''''''  CHARGE   FOR  WHAT YOU DELIVER  """  

     NOT FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO DELIVER IT.

     Tom's EXAMPLE of learning at the convention, was not free.

  It cost him time and money. He has a right to a return  on his 
  investment.  

      When I am asked what reason do I give  a Customer for
  raising my rates  I say I don't.  I  DON'T  NEED  A  REASON. 
   I raise my rates  WHEN  I  FEEL  LIKE  IT.

    THE  LAST  TIME  I PAID  $ 600.00  FOR  A  SET  OF TIRES
  I FELT LIKE IT ----   SO  I  DID. 

    Stand like a man,  stand with  pride,  honor and  justice  ------
   Be proud of your profession ,,,,        you will be rewarded.      
                              ( Sorry Ladies )

  Jack Wyatt RPT.
  Dallas, Chapter 
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