Mobile piano tuner
Visit homes, schools and venues to tune pianos to pitch, with regular yearly clients.
- £500-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,521 UK companies in this field, 39% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 95290 “Repair of personal and household goods n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Travelling to customers to tune upright and grand pianos, and flagging simple faults such as sticking keys or worn parts that need a technician.
Your first three steps
- Look into training: a recognised piano tuning course or an apprenticeship with an experienced tuner
- Buy a tuning lever, mutes and a basic repair kit, and practise on cheap or donated pianos
- Introduce yourself to local music teachers and schools and ask for first bookings
Who pays
Homeowners, schools, churches, music teachers, community halls and small venues.
How it makes money
A fixed fee per tuning visit, often with repeat bookings each year, plus extra for pitch raising or minor repairs.
Skills that help
- Good ear for pitch and patience
- Fine hand skills and careful tool use
- Friendly, trustworthy manner in people's homes
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and cover for tools in your vehicle
- Skill takes time to build, so expect to practise a lot before charging full rates
- Damage risk to old pianos, such as snapped strings, so explain this before work starts
- Check whether you need a DBS check for school work
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile piano tuner
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 mobile piano tuning business?
Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on your tools, training and insurance. Skill takes time to build, so expect to practise a lot before charging full rates.
How much can a mobile piano tuner earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,500, depending on how many regular clients you build and how far you travel. You would typically need at least around 8 hours a week.
What should I check before working as a piano tuner?
Check public liability insurance and cover for tools in your vehicle. Explain the risk of damage to old pianos, such as snapped strings, before work starts, and check whether you need a DBS check for school work.
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