Rebuild contract

[Mike and Jane Spalding]

Hi Mark,

A contract is absolutely necessary when you're doing thousands of dollars of work for hire.  It is a way to make sure that you and your customer understand and agree on the scope of work, the price and payment schedule, and the work schedule.  you've seen, perhaps, some of the discussion on this list about "re-whatevering" pianos.  The point being, that there is a wide gray zone between a quick and dirty reconditioning, and a full restoration.  Will you replace the pinblock or use oversized pins?   Which action parts will you replace, and which will you clean and recondition?  Refinish the plate?  Refinish the case?  Repair soundboard cracks with epoxy or spruce shims?  Will you require final payment before delivering the piano back to the owner?  What value will you insure the piano for while it is in your possession?  These are the type of questions that a good contract will answer.

I can remember having some apprehension that customers would be put off by being asked to sign a contract.  But I've never had a negative reaction.  I think my customers like to see a professional approach, and they like to have the itemization of what we are going to do.

my opinion, hope that helps

Mike Spalding


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mark Ultsch <multsch@jvlnet.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2002 12:22 PM
Subject: Rebuild contract


> Hi List,
> 
> I am about to start on my first rebuild for a paying customer (a 1900 Knabe with open tuning pin field --
> sweat!!!).
> 
> Several months ago Wim posted his basic rebuild contract  when the subject came up.  The idea of  a
> standardized contract was discussed, too.
> 
> I'm wondering if folks have developed such a contract that they can share.  Do you feel a contract is
> important if both parties have a really trusting professional relationship?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Mark Ultsch
> Madison  WI Chapter
> 
> 
>