Home workshop piano restoration and repair

Piano owners, dealers, movers, churches, schools and other technicians who want to outsource bench work.

Fixed price per job such as re-hammering, restringing or key re-covering, plus parts and pickup fees. Sub-contract bench work for other technicians and dealers adds steady income.

• Fine woodworking and bench repair
• Patience with detailed work
• Estimating time and parts costs
• Basic finishing and casework repair

• Home occupation permit, zoning, HOA or lease rules for running a workshop at home, so check with your city or county
• General liability insurance and coverage for customers' instruments while in your care
• Noise, dust and finishing chemicals, with proper ventilation and storage
• Heavy lifting and moving pianos, so arrange professional movers instead of doing it yourself

Estimated startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your bench tools, workspace setup, ventilation and storage, and insurance. Skilled woodworkers who already own tools may sit toward the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on the jobs you take on, from part repairs to larger rebuilds, and on clients such as dealers. The estimate assumes from about 8 hours a week.

Check home occupation permit, zoning, HOA or lease rules with your city or county. Also check general liability insurance, coverage for customers' instruments in your care, and ventilation and storage for noise, dust and finishing chemicals.