[pianotech] Turnaround Times

[Paul Milesi]

Thanks Wim, Jer and Steven.  My business, only 5 years old now, has grown
very rapidly and unexpectedly in the past couple of years, which is a good
problem.  But I find I¹m not very good about managing my time and tasks, and
I¹m still learning how long things really take, so I¹m overbooking.  I will
certainly be working to incorporate your suggestions into my day-to-day
management and schedule, because I don¹t at all like feeling pressured,
especially since I truly enjoy the work when I can take my time and do a
really good job.

Paul Milesi, RPT
Washington, DC
(202) 667-3136
E-mail:  paul at pmpiano.com
Website:  http://www.pmpiano.com



From: Steven Hopp <hoppsmusic at hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:32:09 +0000
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Turnaround Times

Paul,
 
I have hired an apprentice who handles the tunings I don't want to do
(spinets and uprights) or really have time for.  He receives a portion of
the fee and is learning at the same time.  He also does the very easy
repetitive shop jobs.  Removing key bushings, let off buttons, hammers,
cleaning keys etc. etc.  This helps me keep my delivery times realistic.
However, in my contract for work it says this:
 
All starting and completion dates are approximate, and subject to change.
When a project
is authorized, we will give our best estimate for the time frame for
restoring, repairing or servicing your piano
in the context of our other work commitments at that time.
 
I also like Williams suggestion of promising three weeks and delivering in
two.  
 
It sounds like your doing well and that is a good thing today.
 
Hope this helps
 
Steven Hopp
PianoWorks Studio
Midland, TX
 

To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:21:16 -0500
From: wimblees at aol.com
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Turnaround Times


> Having promised a lot of work to customers, I¹m now falling a little behind in
> delivery.  While I maintain good communication with my customers, I¹m feeling
> stressed lately and wondering if I¹m 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 ³extra² 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


Paul
 
When I had a full rebuilding shop in St. Louis, I scheduled two days one
week and three days the next week as shop days. That allowed me time to get
all the work done. Try to be realistic with the amount of time it will take
to get the work done. It's better to promise an action back in three weeks,
and calling the customer in two, than to promise the work in two weeks, and
not bringing in back in 4 weeks.  If you're backed up for more than a month,
you might want to consider hiring some one to help you, or subcontracting it
out to some one who needs the work.
 
Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
94-505 Kealakaa Str.
Mililani, Oahu, HI  96789
808-349-2943 
www.Bleespiano.com <http://www.bleespiano.com/>
Author of: 
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Milesi <paul at pmpiano.com>
To: PTG Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wed, Jan 27, 2010 6:12 am
Subject: [pianotech] Turnaround Times

Having promised a lot of work to customers, I¹m now falling a little behind
in delivery.  While I maintain good communication with my customers, I¹m
feeling stressed lately and wondering if I¹m 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 ³extra² 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 <http://www.pmpiano.com/>
       

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