Is Piano Restoration Worth It?

Piano restoration parts depend on the specific instrument involved. If your piano is old, for instance, it may require more work than a newer model. However, there are common aspects that piano restorers look at when first assessing whether a partial or full restoration is economically viable for any given piano.

Keys are one of the first things we notice about a piano and it’s quite easy to tell when one of them isn’t working properly. Similarly, if there are problems with the exterior of your piano, such as issues with the casters or the casing, it’s usually easier to notice them. However, when there are internal issues with your piano, you’ll be reliant on the expert knowledge of your piano restoration professional. 

Choosing a reputable piano restorer will ensure that the advice you’re given is not only the best possible for your specific piano, but it will also ensure that you won’t be charged for unnecessary restoration. There are so many working parts within a piano, whether it’s an upright or a grand, and so it’s easy to be baffled by the language involved. This can lead to unscrupulous piano restorers to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. For instance, your piano may require new strings, felt, turning pins, springs, or a new soundboard, but it may not. Don’t trust the word of just anyone when it comes to restoring your old piano. It’s something you don’t want to have to do several times, so trust a reputable restoration company in the first instance.

Piano Restoration Cost: Is it Viable?

Piano restoration cost estimates can be markedly more than you expect. When you’re looking at having a piano repaired or restored, you need to work out if it’s financially viable to work on the current piano or whether it would be more worthwhile to invest in an entirely new piano. You also need to consider all costs as well, as you will probably need to hire removalists who can safely get the piano out of your home and back into, as they need to be handled with specialist care.

Pianos can be sentimental objects. As family heirlooms, pianos can carry a lot of history with them. As such, when things go wrong with a piano, it’s tempting to get it restored or repaired because it’s a reminder of days gone by. However, piano restoration is not always economically viable and there are many factors that go into a decision like that. For example, if your piano was manufactured by one of the leaders in piano design, it’s more likely to be worth restoring than one that was made by a relative unknown in the field. Similarly, older pianos with older internal mechanisms are generally not worth restoring. There are also issues related to humidity that affect pianos and dictate how well they work. 

When you’re looking at whether restoring your piano would be viable, contact reputable dealers for cost estimates. The beauty of dealing with a larger dealer is that they won’t pressure you into restoration if it’s not right for you or your piano. Sometimes, although it’s hard, saying goodbye to a family heirloom in the shape of a piano is the best course of action. It might be time to browse pianos for sale instead of attempting a restoration.