I thought Ed Gloeggler's letter was well written and I hope a lot of
"would-be" do-it-yourself rebuilders will take heed.  However, back in
1975, after 6 months as an independent player piano technician, I
realized that I wasn't charging enough for my services, so I raised my
hourly wage from $18.00/hr to $24.00/hr.  My current hourly rate is
$65-$75/hr, plus parts.

I live in central New Jersey.  I work on-the-road at least four days a
week and service approximately 400 units a year in the Tri-State area,
including Delaware and (very soon) Virginia.  I charge $0.85/mile based
on a one-way trip plus a $45.00 service charge to walk in the door.

Admittedly, my labor rate for total rebuilds, which I do in between the
road work in the comfort of my own home, is less than the rate for road
work, but I can assure you it's nowhere close to $10/hr, more like
$40-45.

Just thought you'd like to know the facts.

Musically, John A. Tuttle

P.S.  In case you think I'm expensive, you should know that the average
independent plumber makes between $400-500 a day for eight hours work.

 [ That's what _you_ earn on a good day on the road, John.  But unlike
 [ the plumber, you have shop work to sustain you!  Your rates are about
 [ the same as those charged by good techs in my region (So. Calif.).
 [ -- Robbie

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John A Tuttle "Self-Playing Pianos"       E-mail:tuttleja@concentric.net
407 19th Avenue                             908-840-8787 (leave message)
Bricktown, NJ 08724                   Rolls:1-800-870-8784 (leave order)
"We Keep Your Music Rolling"        http://www.concentric.net/~tuttleja/
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