Q: What is the charge to have my piano tuned?

  A: Of course, without examining the instrument, it is not possible to give an exact estimate. Due to deterioration from age and neglect, some pianos cannot be tuned at all. In these cases, a minimum service charge applies for an evaluation. This fee varies with the distance required to travel to the piano's location. We can often determine from the information that you provide us (age and make of the piano, level of past service and the environment that the instrument has been kept in) whether it is feasible to spend the money on a service call, or not.

  Q: Another individual says they can tune my piano for less money!

  A: Fees for service can vary dramatically. As in other fields, the fee and the amount of expertise are usually directly related. (Only you, however, can decide what level of service is desired in your individual situation.) Some tuners charge a lower price for a basic tuning and then charge for each small adjustment, so in the end the price is higher. We have also seen situations where the piano owner was advised to tune the piano several times a year when that should not have been the case. As a result, they will have spent much more money in the long run than should have been necessary.

  Q: Do you do appraisals, as well as piano service?

  A: Yes, we evaluate pianos for private and institutional purchases, as well as examine damaged instruments for insurance claims.

Q: I have an old upright piano, what about them?

A:  It may not be tunable without restoration. 
(A refinished case does not qualify as restoration.)

Unless an old upright piano has been either restored, or is in amazing shape and regularly serviced (every year) it only has about a one in ten chance of being able to be tuned. Of course, if this is the case, it doesn't make any
sense to spend any money on it, whatsoever. 
(Vendors charge us a disposal fee of around $250 to haul them away.) 

Some old uprights, such as Steinway or Mason & Hamlin brand instruments, have value in their unrestored condition.
Most other old uprights generally have "sentimental value" only.

Even if an old upright can be tuned, it usually has action problems, pedal problems and difficulty holding  proper pitch.  Strings don't last for decades without needing replacement. Neither do tuning pins or felt parts, such as hammers.  Usually these pianos haven't been tuned or adjusted for years, that is why they are being disposed of.

If a student is to learn music, they need an instrument that can be easily played, is in tune and (if they continue to play) with pedals that function.
A damper pedal (right pedal) is required, the others are not.

Many people choose to have beautiful antique pianos in there home as furniture, but choose a digital so that a child can discover if they are interested in playing.  They can even be plugged into a home sound system. 

A quality and relatively inexpensive new acoustic vertical piano is around $4500.  A good quality grand piano starts at about $12k.  Decent acoustic pianos aren't "cheap"  but are a sound investment.  Fine pianos appreciate in value and just need regular service to maintain them.