Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum 117 year old baldwin upright

Good afternoon. I am looking to restore a Baldwin upright puano that my great great grandmother bought new in 1896 or 7. It survived moving to Texas by way of a wagon in about 1905. It is in pretty good shape outside but needs a complete overhaul inside and I thought I might as well re finish the whole thing to like new condition. I'm getting cost estimates from $4000 up to about $10,000. My issue is this. Of everyone I have spoken with the guy who quoted $4,000 made me feel the most confident. He is the lowest by a huge margin so I'm obviously concerned. His website is http://pianorefurbishinghouston.com/
Has anyone ever heard of him and are there any specific questions I should ask?

It is a 52" upright. Not a small one.

I doubt that a good restoration could be done for that price. Ask for an itemized proposal of what parts will be replaced.

Yes, what BDB said.

Ask for a detailed list of what work is to be performed and what parts will be replaced. Also ask what happens if they go over the estimated repair time/price. Sometimes things happen; problems can be hidden from the first assessment. But sometimes, a rebuilder will low-ball the price to get the work and the cost goes up after you're on the hook.

If he's not refinishing the case, that will save you some money, but $4K still seems a bit low.

Looking at these photos from the site expains (to me) why it is only $4,000.00

Steinway upright rebuild

Good catch.

Yes, I noticed that, too.

I also noticed an interesting choice in words regarding what services are provided. "Refurbish" instead of "rebuild," or "restore." To me, that kind of semantics matters.

It seems to me that no one here is familiar with this tech.

Maybe he is like us with a 1 inch stack of legal documents that have to be signed to explain every single aspect of what we do. Used to be years ago people got it. Now you need a herd of lawyers with lots of documentation.

The trick to making money on restorations is NOT work on pianos you do NOT own period. Rebuild your inventory of cores, at your own pace, do not do it for others or take deposits as it promotes ill will and stress if a time line is missed.

There have been a slew of these restoration places gone bankrupt lately taking huge deposits and spending the money. Avoid headaches and work on your own stuff, when it's done put it up for sale and either the customer will like it and buy it or he wont. The process is painless that way and your business and health will last longer.

By the way, Southerncross, I hope you read what I said about early Baldwin upright actions. Ask anyone who is making a quote if they know what is different about them. Get someone who does!

I like this comment - here in UK I am disgusted that companies charge £4,000 or £5000 to rebuild pianos that are 100 years old or more. The end result is always disappointing - the money would be better spent on a new piano.

Rebuilding old pianos seems to be more about keeping their workshops busy for a while and NOT about giving value to the customer! Yes, rebuild your own old piano if you have one, and then sell it!