Common questions about piano tuning, repair, regulation, and restoration in Singapore — with costs and timelines
Piano tuning in Singapore costs S$120–S$160 for a standard home visit. If the piano is significantly flat (more than 30–40 cents below A440), a pitch raise is needed first — total cost S$170–S$240. No travel surcharge islandwide.
Most pianos benefit from tuning twice a year. In Singapore's humidity, a piano can go out of tune faster than in temperate climates — every 6 months is a good target for home instruments. Pianos in performance venues or teaching studios are often tuned monthly or before each performance.
Pitch raise is a rough pre-tuning pass done when a piano is more than 30–40 cents below A440. Tuning a severely flat piano in one pass puts huge uneven tension on the strings and frame — the pitch will drop again within hours. A pitch raise brings it close to A440, then a second fine-tuning pass stabilises it. Total cost S$170–S$240.
Wait 2–4 weeks after moving before tuning. The piano needs time to acclimatise to its new environment's humidity and temperature before the pitch will stabilise. Tuning immediately after a move will not hold well.
Sticky keys occur when key bushings swell from humidity, felt on the key sides rubs against the key frame, or broken key return springs. In Singapore's climate, humidity-related sticking is the most common cause. Repair costs S$60–S$150 depending on the number of keys and root cause.
Tuning adjusts string tension so every note plays at the correct pitch. Regulation adjusts the mechanical action — key depth, hammer travel distance, escapement, let-off, damper lift — so the piano responds correctly to touch. A piano can be perfectly in tune but feel heavy, uneven, or unresponsive if it is not regulated. Upright regulation costs S$200–S$500, grand regulation S$400–S$700.
Silent piano keys are typically caused by: broken hammer shanks, broken or disconnected action parts (jack, repetition lever), broken strings, or stuck dampers. We diagnose the cause at a standard inspection (S$80) and provide a repair quotation.
Worn or grooved hammer felt can be reshaped by voicing at S$120–S$350. Full hammer replacement (all 88 hammers) costs S$600–S$1,200 depending on the replacement hammer grade. Voicing is suitable for mild wear; replacement is needed when felt is flattened beyond recovery.
Replacing all 52 white key top surfaces with Ivorite (ivory-alternative material) costs S$350–S$500. Standard acrylic costs S$250–S$400. Individual chipped or broken keytop repair costs S$15–S$50 per key. Note: importing real ivory key coverings is prohibited under CITES.
Single string replacement costs S$30–S$80 per string. Full restringing of an upright piano costs S$1,800–S$3,500. Full restringing of a grand piano costs S$2,500–S$5,000+. Prices include new bass strings wound to specification. After full restringing, multiple pitch raise and tuning passes are needed over 6–12 months as new strings stretch.
It depends on the instrument. Restoring is usually worth it for quality European or American instruments (pre-1990 Yamaha U/C series, Steinway, Bechstein, Blüthner), sentimental instruments, and pianos with quality soundboards. Restoring entry-level instruments where the total cost exceeds the piano's replacement value is generally not advisable. We give honest assessments at the inspection stage.
Minor restorations — regulation, cleaning, voicing — can be done in 1–3 days. Restringing takes 4–8 weeks including settling time. Full restorations including soundboard replacement, pinblock replacement, and case refinishing can take 3–6 months. We give a specific timeline at assessment.
Piano voicing adjusts the tone character by modifying hammer felt density. Harsh, bright tone is softened by needling the felt to loosen its structure. Mellow, muddy tone is brightened by hardening compounds or surface treatment. Voicing costs S$120–S$350 for a full set and is often done alongside regulation and tuning.
Yes. We service all brands: Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, Fazioli, Blüthner, C. Bechstein, Baldwin, Petrof, Schimmel, Pearl River, Ritmuller, Samick, Young Chang, Pramberger, Weber, Boston, Essex, SingArts, and all others. Each brand page on this site explains brand-specific considerations.
Yes. We service all of Singapore — West (Jurong, Clementi, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Hillview), Central (Bishan, Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio), North (Woodlands, Yishun, Sembawang), and East (Tampines, Bedok, Pasir Ris). No travel surcharge for any area.
If notes sound wrong in pitch relative to each other, tuning is needed. If keys stick, do not return, produce double strikes, produce no sound, or the pedals are not functioning, repair or regulation is needed. If you are unsure, a piano inspection (S$80, credited toward work done) diagnoses the problem accurately.
WhatsApp +65 8084 2332 with your area (e.g. Jurong, Bukit Batok, Tampines), your piano type (upright or grand), and what the problem is. We confirm a time slot typically within 24 hours. Available 9:00–20:00, Monday to Sunday.
Yes. Upright piano moving within the same building costs S$200–S$350. Moving to a different HDB or landed property costs S$300–S$600. Grand piano moving starts at S$400–S$800. We recommend a post-move tuning after 2–4 weeks of acclimatisation. See full piano moving details →
Talk to a piano technician directly — not a call centre. We answer 9:00–20:00, 7 days a week.