Mobile piano tuning and repair
Tune and repair pianos in homes, schools and halls, with no shop needed.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
935 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 47591 “Retail sale of musical instruments and scores”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A visiting service that tunes pianos and fixes common faults such as sticking keys, worn felts and loose parts. You can add small sales, such as referring buyers to pianos you have come across.
Your first three steps
- Look into piano tuning courses or an apprenticeship with an established tuner and plan your training
- Buy a starter tuning kit and practise on cheap or donated pianos
- Offer tunings to local schools, music teachers and churches and ask for reviews
Who pays
Households with a piano, schools, churches, community halls, music teachers and students.
How it makes money
A fixed fee per tuning visit, plus hourly or quoted charges for repairs. Regular yearly tunings from the same clients build steady work.
Skills that help
- Good ear and patience
- Careful hands-on repair work
- Friendly, reliable customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and cover for damage to instruments in your care
- It takes real training and practice to tune to a professional standard, so expect a slow start
- Check whether you need landlord or mortgage lender permission if you store tools or parts at home
- Lifting and carrying parts can strain your back, so work safely
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile piano tuning and repair
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a piano tuning business?
Startup costs are typically around £800 to £3,500, depending on the tools you buy, any training and your vehicle and insurance needs. These are estimates, so price up your own kit and training before you begin.
How much can a piano tuner earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on how many customers you build up, your area and the repairs you offer. Plan for at least about 10 hours a week to start.
What should I check before becoming a piano tuner?
It takes real training and practice to tune to a professional standard, so expect a slow start. Also check public liability insurance, cover for damage to instruments in your care, and landlord or lender permission if you store tools at home.
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