stability of pitch raises (Ron's question)

[Clyde Hollinger]

Dave,

I always charge more for a pitchraise and tuning because it takes me longer than just a tuning.

As to whether anyone uses a charge system like your plumber, I certainly don't charge that much per hour, but I do charge "by the hour" when I go out to do something for which I cannot determine a relatively consistent charge.  I charge a fee just to get to the house plus an hourly rate for any work done.  I always tell my clients how charges are figured even while making the
appointment.

This has eliminated misunderstandings.  Consider this past Friday.  It took me a half hour to get to the house and a half hour to go home again, but the repairs took twelve minutes.  If I would bill for only those twelve minutes at my normal hourly rate, I would have lost money bigtime.  As it was, I didn't make much, but I still feel it was enough to make it worth the trip,
and the client was happy, too.  Incidentally, I charge by the minute.

Regards,
Clyde

"David M. Porritt" wrote:

> Ron:
>
> I don't do two passes on an up-to-pitch piano that just needs tuning.
>
> I don't charge extra for a pitch raise, if it only takes an hour for the PR and the tuning (that's often the case).
>
> I use an ETD for ALL pitch raises, and most of the time for tuning.
>
> I've contemplated charging like the plumber who came to clean the drain from the house to the alley.  He said $95 for the first hour, and $95 per hour after the first.  After the first hour he'd charge partial hours.  By the way, has anybody on the list priced themselves like this?  Even people who don't understand pitch raises, can understand extra time for a bigger job.