Mobile piano repair technician

Home piano owners, music teachers, schools, churches, community theaters and small venues.

Hourly rate or a quoted price per repair, plus parts. Tuning visits and yearly service plans for churches and schools bring repeat work.

• Mechanical aptitude and patience
• Good ear for pitch and tone
• Clear communication with customers
• Quoting jobs and managing a schedule

• Check whether your city or county requires a general business license
• General liability insurance, since you work in customers' homes and around valuable instruments
• Training takes time, so expect a slow start before you can handle complex repairs on your own
• Check your state's sales tax rules for parts you sell

Estimated startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the tools you already own, how you equip your vehicle, insurance and the training you need before taking on complex repairs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your hours, the repairs you can handle and whether you add tuning. The estimate assumes from about 10 hours a week, and training means a slow start.

Things to check: whether your city or county requires a general business license, general liability insurance for working in homes and around valuable instruments, and your state's sales tax rules for any parts you sell.