Ask for Recommendations
The best way to find a good piano technician is to ask around. Here are some ideas for who you can talk to:
- Piano teachers
- Piano store
- School
- Church
- Friends or neighbors who own pianos
- The Piano Technicians Guild also has a listing of certified piano tuners who can be searched by zip code to find someone in your area.
- My recommendation is Jim Enos 805-347-4420
Check Credentials and Cost
Once you have the names of a few piano technicians, find out a little more about them. You can check on the internet to see if they have a website or you can call them in person. Find out what their experience level and training is, and if they are certified by a professional organization, such as the Piano Technicians Guild.
Ask the piano technician what they charge for tuning and what additional costs for repairs might be. Typical prices for piano tuning are around $100, but can go up to $200 for an exceptionally qualified and experienced technician. Beware of piano technicians who charge only $50 or less. You get what you pay for. You may also want to ask what method of payment the technician prefers.
Make an Appointment
After considering your options and choosing a piano technician, make an appointment for a technician to come to your home and tune your piano. Get ready before they arrive by removing any sheet music, lamps, or decorative objects from the top of your piano. Create access to an outlet for the technician's electric tuning machine. You may also want to give the piano a good dusting to make sure no dust falls inside while the technician is working.
It might be a good idea to ask your piano technician how often they think your piano should be tuned. This will depend on a lot of factors, such as the age of the piano, how often it has been tuned in the past, and how much the climate changes throughout the year (and even in the room) where you live. Also let the technician know if there are any sticky keys or other problems which need attention.
Enjoy Your Tuned Piano
If you've done your homework and selected a well-recommended piano technician, you can be assured that you'll have made a good investment that will contribute to the life and beauty of your piano. Enjoy the amazing sound of a freshly-tuned instrument and keep track of your piano technician's contact information so you can tune up again soon.
Thank you, Hoffman Piano Studio, for this article!