Repairs & Rebuilding

Pianos are composed of wood, felt, leather, ivory, plastic and metal. All these parts of a piano are susceptible to wear and damage. Most new pianos are sold with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty but occasionally even a newer piano will have defects due to faulty manufacturing. A well-made instrument will continue to perform and sound great for over 100 years, but even quality pianos will need repairs and rebuilding along the way. With very few exceptions, the older the instrument, the more likely it is to require these repairs or replacement of parts.
Whether to refurbish or not is a tough decision for many. Does the piano hold sentimental value? (“My Grandma was a concert pianist and this was her piano.” Or “My siblings and I had lessons on this piano growing up” etc.) But you may ask, “Is the piano worth it?” For example, some parents are unsure if their children will ‘stick with their lessons’ and they want to find out if they are serious before investing further in a piano. However, an instrument that does not perform well or sound great can discourage a child (or adult) from wanting to practice. In addition, the value of a piano varies greatly. Some are “low-end” models but are much beloved by their owners. Others are meant for the concert hall or are collectable Art Case pianos worth millions. It is much easier to justify the rebuilding of the latter kind. However, there are many less expensive pianos that have ‘come back to life’ or been restored to be ‘better than the original’ with a little work.
At Cressman Piano Service, I consult with clients about their needs and expectations and will offer a fair estimation of the costs of parts and labour to complete a repair or rebuilding project. I have experience in all aspects of piano refurbishing including strings, action parts, cabinetry work and hardware. It is difficult to perform an estimate without seeing the piano first. Therefore, it is advisable to schedule an appointment in order that I may clearly discover the extent of work that would be needed. This can often be done in conjunction with a piano tuning so as to avoid the cost of a service call.
Contact us to protect your investment.
We’d love to hear from you and put together a maintenance schedule for your piano to keep it sounding and looking like new for generations!
Cressman Piano Service
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Email: wayne@cressmanpiano.com
Phone: 250-507-5690