How to Start a Piano Tuning Business

Piano tuners are generally mobile service technicians that complete simple repairs and routine tuning for a wide variety of pianos at the piano owner’s home, business, or school. They are knowledgeable in the construction of pianos, and they can repair felt, keys, minor wood damage, and replace wire as needed to maintain action and sound.  Pianos used in a commercial or academic setting can be tuned after being moved or on a regular four month, six month, or yearly basis. It is a service that relies on the tuning technician’s expertise and experience.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a piano tuning business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Piano Tuning Business
  2. Form your Piano Tuning Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Piano Tuning Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Piano Tuning Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Piano Tuning Business
  7. Get Piano Tuning Business Insurance
  8. Define your Piano Tuning Business Brand
  9. Create your Piano Tuning Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your piano tuning business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Piano Tuning Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a piano tuning business?

While a good set of tuning tools will only cost you a few hundred dollars, piano tuning is really a skill that is built over time through repetition of the process. You will need reliable transportation, but not necessarily a large van. Basic training courses cost around $1,000, but proper training and certification are essential to market yourself as a piano tuning professional.

What are the ongoing expenses for a piano tuning business?

Ongoing costs are very low for a piano tuning business. You will need to pay for gas to transport yourself to clients. Other than the cost of fuel, occasionally you will want to replace your tools and you’ll need to maintain a supply of felt, wire, wood and other accessories.

Who is the target market?

Your ideal clients will be music schools and colleges, public schools, recording studios, and performance venues. These clients will have a multitude of instrument that will regularly require your tuning services. In-home piano tuning clients are less likely to call for regular maintenance for their instruments, but they will still generate a decent portion of your profit.

How does a piano tuning business make money?

Repeat business is the only way to make money in this industry.  There are no extra products to sell the customer, so your service must be top notch every time.  Your reputation among music professionals will dictate who calls you for service and how much you can demand for your service.

How much can you charge customers?

A standard piano tuning service typically runs for a flat rate of anywhere from $100-$180. However, many tuners will charge by the hour when tuning multiple instruments or while completing basic repairs.  Regular tuning takes anywhere from an hour to ninety minutes, depending on the condition of the instrument. Hourly rates run from $100/hr. to $200/hr. based on client base and the technician’s expertise.

How much profit can a piano tuning business make?

The average income for a piano tuner is around $35,000 a year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

The most successful piano tuner will garner contracts from performing arts centers and music schools that require regular tuning and repairs for their instruments. Repeat business builds your reputation which allows you to charge higher rates.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your piano tuning business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your piano tuning business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a piano tuning business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certification

You can only advertise yourself as a registered piano technician if you have been certified by the Piano Technicians Guild. If you would like to advertise yourself as such, make sure to take courses offered by the PTG. Otherwise, refrain from advertising yourself as a registered piano technician in order to avoid legal penalties.

Services Contract

In business where services are provided on an extended basis, a services contract is often put in place outlining terms and conditions of service.

Piano tuning businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, and service level expectations.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Piano Tuning Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Piano Tuning Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a piano tuning business

In the music industry, relationships and referrals are everything. You can send out fliers to music schools, but you will need to shake a few hands in order to make an impression. Get in touch with production crews who are responsible for setting up performances and leave your name for emergency service.  Offer introductory rates to get your foot in the door, as your client needs to trust your expertise before handing over their prized instrument.

How to keep customers coming back

Satisfied customers will return to you the next time their piano needs maintenance. Communicate any concerns you might have about damage and offer repair services on a quick turnaround, as doing so will assure customers that you are knowledgeable and that you care about their instrument. Using internet forums and bulletin boards to generate recognition of your name, along with purchasing ad space in university newspapers and in program notes for local concerts can also attract new customers to your business.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

If you are an individual with a great appreciation for the function, construction, and general maintenance of fine instruments, as well as a basic understanding of music, this business may be a good fit for you. Generally, piano tuning businesses are one-man operations, so you must enjoy working alone and you must be self-motivated.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a piano tuning business?

When you operate your own piano tuning business, you can expect to complete a variety of tasks on any given day. They may include:

  • Traveling to your daily appointments
  • Replacing felt, hammers, damaged piano wire, and even a damaged key.
  • Setting up a grand piano that needs to be positioned for performance
  • Tuning as many instruments as possible while maintaining strict level of performance
  • Collecting payments from clients
  • Developing new clients through networking professionals in the music industry
  • Sending out reminders and advertisements to existing customers to encourage them to set up an appointment
  • Answering all correspondence pertaining to your business quickly and professionally

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful piano tuning business?

Some of the most important skills you’ll need as a professional piano tuner are:

  • Either perfect pitch or excellent relative pitch is a necessity
  • An understanding of the mechanics of pianos, in all shapes and sizes
  • Piano tuning training – completion piano tuning training course and at least a year of experience as an assistant will help you provide a satisfactory service
  • Good personal skills to help you build a client list
  • Basic accounting knowledge
  • A solid background in music and music performance to better understand how the instrument is used in a real-world setting
  • Recognition as a Registered Piano Technician by completing their exhaustive exam process

What is the growth potential for a piano tuning business?

Initially, a piano tuning business may function exceptionally well as a second job or a part-time endeavor. Once your reputation is established and you make connections with school systems or colleges, it is possible to grow the business into a full-time endeavor. It is also possible to secure a salaried position with major music colleges or performing arts venues.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a piano tuning business?

You need to get your name out in the local music scene. Visit local music schools, touch base with music department heads, and leave your contact information where music lessons are offered. In a city, it is easier to get your first few customers as the demand is higher. In suburban and rural areas you will need to do a lot of personal outreach. Talk to organists and choral directors at a local church for more contacts.

How and when to build a team

Building a team usually isn’t necessary until your demand exceeds the confines of your schedule. If you find you need more piano tuners, hiring a team of highly skilled tuners is paramount. Each member of your team reflects your team so, not only do you need skilled professionals, you also need people with exceptional social skills.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading