Paul,
When I was first starting out and wasn't sure about how long something might
take me, I'd ask some fellow technician friends and then up it some for the
lack of speed that I had at that time. Slow yourself down, book further
ahead, take your time, you'll get it figured out.
Jer
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul Milesi
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:57 PM
To: PTG Pianotech List
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Turnaround Times
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 I'm not very good about managing my time and tasks, and
I'm still learning how long things really take, so I'm overbooking. I will
certainly be working to incorporate your suggestions into my day-to-day
management and schedule, because I don't 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, 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
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/>
<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, 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 <http://www.pmpiano.com/>
<http://www.pmpiano.com/>
_____
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