shop work

[David Love]

I have a similar problem (if you can call it a problem) and have to make a
point of blocking out shop time otherwise projects simply don't get done or
I end up working 7 days a week (bad for the golf game).  Over time it's
allowed me to reduce my geographical area somewhat and give up those pianos
I don’t enjoy working on, not to mention those awful Steinway uprights.  It
also makes it more comfortable to raise rates and shift to full service
appointments.  I'm scheduling appointments out 4-6 weeks typically and
encourage customers to book three months in advance, especially for anything
important.  Right now I'm about half shop, half out in the field which I
like.  The truth is you make more when you're not driving around but the
field contacts bring more shop work and help expand your client base with
more quality instruments.  As in all things, you have to find a balance.    

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net
www.davidlovepianos.com 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: richard.ucci at att.net 
To: pianotech 
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 8:51 AM
Subject: shop work

Folks,
 
I currently service about 20+ residential and institutional accounts per
week, all year long.
First appointment @ 10am ,last @ 4 roughly. (9+ hours a day, with travel)
 
How do you all factor shop work into your scheduales? Right now ,I work in
some time on Sun> (my day off !)
Thanks,
Rick Ucci/ Ucci Piano