<html> <body> Barbara, I'm not sure about how much to charge for the "stand by" thing, but I'd definitely charge! Maybe whatever your normal hourly rate is???? As far as the pitch change is concerned, DEFINITELY charge them for that! Up AND down! That's what I do when the Houston Symphony performs at the university with our piano. Otherwise, it's going to be at A-440, which is the house policy or they're going to have to pay to rent a piano from the Steinway dealer! My fee is appreciably less than that would be! :-D Avery At 02:53 PM 8/5/05, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> Howdy all,   Just had a note from the director of the big auditorium.  A contract from a big orchestra has come through specifying that the piano be tuned not more than 6 hours before the concert and  "The piano tuner should remain available and on stand-by until concert start time."   What's a fair charge for stand-by?  Would it be my normal hourly fee, even if I'm sitting in the tech office reading a book?  :-)   Unless I'm planning on staying for the concert for my own enjoyment, I usually stay until I get the OK from whomever, but it usually isn't long after I've finished working.  At this point I haven't been informed what the afternoon schedule is.  This is the first time I've had this in a contract ('tis only my second season).  Just wondering how you all handle these things.   Also, this orchestra has requested something other than 440, so I'm thinking they should not only pay for bringing the piano up in pitch, but also taking it back down again.  Comments??   Thanks,   Barbara Richmond, RPT</blockquote></body> </html>