How much does it cost to tune a piano?
How much does it cost to tune a piano?
$100 – $200 average cost to tune a piano
$70 – $100 piano tuners charge per hour
Piano tuning cost
Piano tuning costs $100 to $200 total or $70 to $100 per hour on average, depending on the piano's age and when it was last tuned. Piano tuners typically charge the same flat rate or hourly price for grand and upright pianos. Keeping a piano tuned may prevent costly repairs.
Piano tuning takes 60 to 90 minutes on average, while neglected pianos typically take 2 to 3 hours to tune. Pianos should be tuned every 6 to 12 months.
Average cost to tune a piano
The following table shows the average cost to tune a piano.
| National Average Cost | $150 |
| Minimum Cost | $50 |
| Maximum Cost | $500 |
| Average Range | $100 to $200 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost of piano tuning by service
Some piano tuning professionals include pitch correction or other small adjustments in the total tuning cost. The longer a piano goes without maintenance, the more it will cost to get it back in working order.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Piano tuning | $100 – $200 |
| Pitch correction | $30 – $130 |
| Tuning and pitch correction | $130 – $230 |
| Voicing | $100 – $500 |
| Minor regulation | $200 – $550 |
| Grand action reconditioning and regulation | $450 – $3,000 |
| Vertical action reconditioning and regulation | $300 – $1,700 |
Piano pitch correction cost
Piano pitch correction costs $30 to $130, depending on how long the piano has gone without a tuning. If a piano’s pitch drops, it must be raised by changing the string tension before the piano can be tuned. Changes in pitch occur due to age, humidity, or heavy usage.
Piano regulation cost
Piano regulation costs $200 to $550 for minor jobs, $450 to $3,000 for grand piano regulation, and $300 to $1,700 for vertical piano regulation. Piano regulation, or action reconditioning, ensures all the hammers in the piano are striking the strings consistently.
Some signs of poor regulation include:
Stiff keys
Clicking or squeaking sounds
Uneven piano key heights
Inability to repeat notes quickly
Spinet vs. upright piano tuning cost
Upright piano tuning costs $100 to $200, or the same as other piano types. Spinet piano tuning costs $100 to $250 because the action on a spinet is different than other pianos and takes longer to tune.
| Type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Small spinet piano | $100 – $250 |
| Console or studio upright piano | $100 – $200 |
Piano tuning costs near you
| City, State | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $110 – $220 |
| Austin, TX | $110 – $220 |
| Boston, MA | $140 – $270 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $110 – $210 |
| Chicago, IL | $120 – $230 |
| Cleveland, OH | $100 – $210 |
| Columbus, OH | $110 – $210 |
| Dallas, TX | $110 – $210 |
| Denver, CO | $110 – $220 |
| Detroit, MI | $110 – $210 |
| Honolulu, HI | $120 – $240 |
| Houston, TX | $130 – $250 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $100 – $210 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $110 – $220 |
| Miami, FL | $100 – $200 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $110 – $230 |
| Nashville, TN | $100 – $200 |
| New York, NY | $130 – $260 |
| Newark, NJ | $110 – $220 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $110 – $220 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $100 – $210 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $110 – $210 |
| Portland, OR | $110 – $220 |
| San Diego, CA | $110 – $220 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130 – $250 |
| Seattle, WA | $110 – $220 |
| Washington, DC | $110 – $220 |
DIY cost for piano tuning
Piano tuner prices
Piano tuner tool kit prices are $40 to $100 and include a tuning hammer, temperament strip, mutes, and a tuning fork. DIY piano tuning may lead to damage and is not typically recommended unless a person has previous tuning experience.
Additional piano maintenance costs
Piano cleaning and damage prevention cost $100 to $750, depending on the service. Larger repairs like action restoration cost $1,000 to $8,000. Regular maintenance, inspections, and repairs keep a piano in good condition.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Soundboard cleaning | $100 – $150 |
| Climate control installation | $400 – $750 |
| Installation of under-covers | $200 – $400 |
| String cover installation | $200 – $400 |
| Grand action restoration or rebuilding | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Vertical action restoration or rebuilding | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Evaluations and inspection | $50 – $200 |
Piano repairs and restoration
Piano restoration costs $1,800 to $17,000, depending on the severity of the damage. Minor repairs cost $100 to $300 and are commonly done before or after tuning. Common repair jobs include pitch correction, action regulation, and key top replacement.
Piano tuning FAQs
What is piano tuning?
Piano tuning is adjusting the tension of piano strings so they vibrate at the correct rate. Tuners start by making sure the middle A key resonates at 440 Hz.
Reasons to tune a piano
Tuning a piano is part of regular maintenance, especially after heavy playing, being moved, or changes in humidity. Regular tuning may prevent costly restoration or restringing.
How long does piano tuning take?
Piano tuning takes 60 to 90 minutes on average, depending on how long the piano has gone since its last tuning. A neglected piano typically takes 2 to 3 hours to tune.
How long does a piano tuning last?
A piano tuning lasts 6 to 12 months. However, a new piano should be tuned every three months during its first year.
What type of piano tuning adjustments are there?
Types of tuning adjustments include:
Tapping pins – Each key has three pins and strings attached to it. A tuning professional taps or sets any loose pins back into place.
Adjusting strings – The tuner strikes the middle octave strings and uses a special tool to tighten any string that is off pitch—a process called “setting the temperament”. The tuner then adjusts the rest of the 88 keys as needed.
Removing keys – Keys may need to be cleaned or moved if there is dust or improper spacing between them.
Adjusting action – The action is the mechanism that causes the hammer to hit the strings. The pieces and screws in the action often require regulation, cleaning, or complete restoration.
How long should a piano acclimate before tuning?
A piano should acclimate to a new environment for 2 to 3 weeks after being moved or exposed to a drastic change in humidity.
Is it worth tuning an old piano?
It is worth tuning an old piano if it has been properly maintained and does not need any major repairs or restoration.
Do electric or digital pianos need tuning?
No, electric pianos do not need tuning as they do not have strings.
Does a piano need tuning after moving?
Yes, a piano needs to be tuned after moving. Changes in humidity may cause wood in pianos to swell or shrink, shifting internal parts.
How are pianos tuned?
Pianos are tuned by slowly adjusting the strings attached to each key to make sure they vibrate at the correct rate. Tuners start by matching the A key above middle C to 440 Hz.
Getting estimates and hiring a piano tuner
Before hiring a piano tuner near you, be sure to:
Compare at least three estimates from licensed tuning companies.
Choose a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) from the Piano Technicians Guild.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose insured, bonded companies with 5+ years of experience.
Get a detailed written estimate and contract before any work begins.
Avoid companies with the cheapest quotes as quality may suffer.
Don’t pay in full upfront. Follow a payment plan instead and request receipts for each payment.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
How many pianos have you tuned in the past year?
Can you provide references from past work?
Are you a member of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG)?
Will you provide a free estimate?
How long will the job take?
Does my piano need any repairs before being tuned?