Maintenance Costs

[Richard West]

Hi, Avery,

 I had to do the same 10 years ago when our new performing arts center
opened.  I started with the Steinway guidelines which recommended 200
hours/year to maintain a concert grand.  Add in hammer replacement every
7 - 12 years, and restringing every 15 years.  I think to figure a 15
year maintenance cycle you could plug in the following numbers.  :


200 hours X $________/hour X 15 years

hammer/action parts replacement = $____________  X 2 (or 3 if you think
you'll need to replace the hammers 3 times in 15 years)

restringing = $___________

That's a really rough approximation.  When I did the numbers I wasn't
figuring anything but annual maintenance.  When I added it all up, I
thought the number was too high, so I cut the amount.  The way we've
finally worked it out here is the School of Music charges the performing
arts center $1,000/year per concert grand.  That money comes back to me
for use in buying parts/pianos/benches,etc.  It's been the same amount
for the past 10 years. The restringing and hammer/action parts
replacement was done last year and was figured as an added expense to
the performing arts center ($12,000).  Therefore, the total cost to the
center over 10 years has been around $22,000, or $2,200 per year. If I
had stayed with the Steinway guidelines straight down the line, it would
have doubled the annual cost to $2,000/year.  I'll be interested to see
what others have to say on this topic.

Richard West


Avery Todd wrote:

> List,
>
> I've been asked to come up with an app. dollar figure on what
> it might cost on a yearly basis, to maintain the two Steinway
> D's in our major performance hall. This should include
> maintaining the instruments at a high level of performance
> capability plus eventual replacing of action parts, stringing,
> etc. that will be needed. I'm assuming they mean this to be
> based on the value of my services if they had to bring in an
> independent technician to do the work.
>
> The Provost's office has asked the theatre manager to come up
> with an estimated cost of what it costs to run the facility,
> independent of the remainder of the School of Music, with the
> idea of paying for some or all of it out the university budget
> instead of the music budget.
>
> One piano was purchased new when we first moved into our new
> facility about 5 years ago and the other was completely rebuilt
> (except soundboard) by the Rappaport's about 6 yrs. or so ago,
> including a new keyboard, frame and damper assembly.
>
> The hall is used primarily for guest artists, faculty recitals,
> large ensemble performances and occasional rentals to outside
> competitions, performances, etc. The Houston Symphony also uses
> the facility once or twice a year for a performance series their
> Chamber Orchestra does, sometimes using piano and/or harpsichord.
>
> This is a very performance oriented school, with app. 500 music
> majors, so the hall gets quite a bit of use, although not as much
> as our smaller recital hall that the students use.
>
> Since I've never had to do this type of thing before, I need any
> help doing this that anyone could give me today. The tuning part
> I can figure out but the rest is what I need help with. The report
> has to be submitted Friday and I just found out about it this
> morning.
>
> Any takers? Thanks.
>
> Avery
> University of Houston