Dave
I wonder if we can discuss percentage rather than actual rates. For instance, if we use a 60-70% of the local retail rate we might be close to something equitable. The contractor you hire doesn't have to deal with advertising, has minimal travel, can still answer the phone to make other appointments, etc. This if you are hiring professional help. Might be a different number for a novice but then their pricing might be less anyway. Let's not forget that they are doing only tuning. I assume you would do the repairs, regulation etc.
At U of O I have a designated fund at the beginning of the fiscal year which includes contracted labor (including moving and tuning), student labor and parts. It's a workable sum and I am able to have about 80-120 tunings done by contractors throughout the year depending on other repairs and the annual amount. Some years generous and some not so.
We have found the above a workable system and there is a level of trust for me to find the best work for a reasonable sum. It also means I don't have to deal with all the paperwork phelgercard that you are proposing.
Mike
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Michael Reiter RPT
Eugene OR
(541) 515-6499
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2025 16:10
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Contractors fees
Kathy, as a follow-up, I am required to get this information before a contract will be issued.
It's much better to do this than to ask my local chapter members what they charge, which would be a violation of anti-trust guidelines.
Thanks again,
Dave
Thanks for chiming in Kathy. I don't think anti-trust rules apply in this case.
We are not discussing what we charge, rather what institutions typically pay contractors.
Original Message:
Sent: 3/27/2025 3:28:00 PM
From: Kathy Smith
Subject: RE: Contractors fees
Hi, all,
Keep in mind, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but we are not allowed to discuss any actual prices or hourly rates at any official PTG class or meeting or discussion site. I am old enough to recall when the MTA (teachers, for heavens sake!) got in trouble for asking each other in a newsletter not to poach each others' students, by - is it the FTC? They had to face serious and long-lasting consequences.
Whenever I discuss pricing in a class, I say it in very general terms, like finding out what local techs in other trades charge hourly in your area, then multiplying it by about 2 for tunings.
We have been very careful for a long time not to discuss pricing in class. Later at the bar, sure. I'm quite sure a PTG discussion group would be seen in the same vein.
Kathy
Original Message:
Sent: 3/27/2025 2:23:00 PM
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Contractors fees
Hello, all.
Springtime greetings from beautiful East Tennessee.
I have been able to convince Admin to allow some contractors to help with the workflow. 130 pianos are way too many for me to do alone.
But they of course want to know what it will cost. What do you pay your non-staff piano tech contractors? This is a question I am certain they will ask for comparison.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Dave
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Dave Conte, RPT
Piano Technician in Residence
The University of Tennessee
College of Music
Knoxville TN
(817) 307-5656
Owner: Rocky Top Piano
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