I figure out how much time I need per job and schedule these things accordingly like this for example. Let's just say, we gave an estimate on a grand for carding, regulation, leveling keys, mating strings, voicing, tuning. I go home, write it all down, check my schedule and then call them that same night while it is still fresh in both of our minds. I set a time with the client to begin the work, most often at 2 PM allowing for morning tunings. At the same time I have them on the phone, I also schedule a time to return the action usually on a Thursday or Friday at around the same time 2 PM again, allowing for morning tunings. Then, I set aside one full day mid week or so, to work on the action and schedule that time slot into my planner or whatever you use so nothing else gets scheduled over top of it. While I'm there for the first appointment, I seat the strings if necessary, tune it, take all necessary measurements for bench regulation, etc., remove the action and take it to the shop. That's how I schedule all of my work. The time is then already set up to begin, work on and return the action. You cannot over book yourself if the jobs are scheduled to be returned and proper time is set aside to work on the piano. I set aside time during my normal business day for the work. This is my full time job. I don't care to tune during the day and do action work at night. I schedule everything ahead of time regardless of what it is. This is necessary in my opinion in order to keep yourself and your jobs on track. Jer From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Paul Milesi Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 11:12 AM To: PTG Pianotech List Subject: [pianotech] Turnaround Times Having promised a lot of work to customers, I'm now falling a little behind in delivery. While I maintain good communication with my customers, I'm feeling stressed lately and wondering if I'm attempting to turn around or complete things like action work in too short a time frame. Just wondering what kinds of expectations others set up with their customers, especially for action reconditioning/rebuilding. Do you try to do this as "extra" work in addition to a full or almost full regular tuning and repair load, or do you block out large blocks of time in which to complete the action job so that it is turned around in a shorter time frame? Do you promise return of the action in one week, two weeks, six weeks? Paul Milesi, RPT Washington, DC (202) 667-3136 E-mail: paul at pmpiano.com Website: http://www.pmpiano.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100127/b41469e6/attachment.htm>
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