A piano evaluation is a detailed, technical assessment of a piano’s condition, playability, and long-term outlook.
At Miller Piano Specialists, our evaluations are designed to help you make confident, informed decisions — whether that means routine maintenance, involved repair, restoration, trade-in, or replacement.
We approach evaluations with one goal: provide clarity, insight, and practical recommendations so you can decide what makes the most sense for your situation. Whether you’re caring for a family heirloom, considering repairs, buying a piano, or exploring a sale or trade-in, we always recommend having a professional evaluation performed.
Why People Look for a Piano Evaluation
Pianos are highly technical instruments. They contain thousands of moving parts, rely on precise tolerances, and are deeply affected by time, environment, and use. It takes years of training and hands-on experience to know what to look for (and what not to overlook).
People come to us for piano evaluations for many reasons, including:
- A family heirloom you want to service or restore, but aren’t sure where to start
- Interest in purchasing a piano, from a private seller or dealer, and wanting an informed decision before committing
- Plans to sell a piano and wanting a realistic sense of condition and rough value
- Thinking about picking of a “free” piano. Free pianos are not always free.
- Questions about whether specific issues or damage can be repaired, and what that might involve
No matter the reason, a professional evaluation helps you understand the true condition of the instrument and what ownership will realistically look like going forward.
Why a Professional Evaluation Is Always Worth It
We strongly recommend having a professional evaluation performed anytime a piano is being bought, sold, gifted, donated, inherited, or even just moved.
Many pianos look fine, even beautiful, on the outside while hiding serious internal issues. Age, humidity, storage conditions, past repairs, and simple neglect can all impact whether a piano is playable, serviceable, or worth investing in.
One of the most common situations we see is someone acquiring a “free” or inexpensive piano, only to discover later that it requires extensive work just to become playable or may not be a good candidate for repair at all.
A proper evaluation can help:
- Avoid costly surprises
- Identify major structural concerns early
- Understand what’s truly necessary vs. what can wait
- Save time, money, and frustration down the road
It’s a small investment that can prevent a very expensive mistake.
What an Evaluation Helps You Decide
A thorough evaluation equips you to answer important questions, such as:
- Is this piano currently playable and stable?
- Is it worth servicing, restoring, or investing in long term?
- What work is needed now, and what can wait?
- What problems are cosmetic versus structural?
Our role is not to push you toward repairs or a purchase. We’re here to help you make an informed decision.
What We Evaluate
Each evaluation is performed by one of our in-house piano technicians using a detailed, systematic approach that examines everything from environment and structure to playability and performance.
- Room temperature and humidity
- Evidence of moisture, rust, or climate damage
- Pest or rodent damage
- Service history and usage patterns
- Current pitch level relative to A440
- Tuning pin tightness and stability
- String condition, corrosion, and breakage
- Whether a pitch raise is required
- Soundboard condition, cracks, and crown
- Bridge integrity and bridge pin condition
- Pinblock condition and tuning pin torque
- Evidence of past repairs or structural compromise
- Key condition and leveling
- Regulation consistency and responsiveness
- Hammer wear and alignment
- Damper function and timing
- Pedal function and adjustment
- Trapwork wear or failure
- Cabinet condition and structural stability
- Hardware and cosmetic condition
What You’ll Receive
After the evaluation, you’ll have:
- A clear summary of the piano’s overall condition
- Documentation of findings (including photos when helpful)
- Recommendations prioritized by importance
- Guidance on whether repairs make sense, and what level of work is realistic
If the piano is not a good candidate for sale, purchase, meaningful repair, or restoration, we’ll tell you plainly.
Evaluation Pricing
Our professional piano evaluations start at $125 within 40 miles of our Nashville showroom.
Pricing may vary depending on the scope of the evaluation or travel outside our standard service area. If you’re unsure what you need, we’re happy to talk through your situation and recommend the right approach.
Why Choose Miller Piano Specialists?
With full-time, on-staff piano technicians with decades of experience and industry experts at the helm, our team is uniquely equipped to evaluate acoustic pianos of all makes and models.
Trusted by Tennessee families since 2001, we are committed to supporting you at every stage of your piano’s journey, from maintenance and repairs to upgrades and restoration.
FAQs
Do you offer evaluations for pianos being sold privately?
Yes. In fact, we strongly recommend it. A professional evaluation can help you avoid costly surprises and make a confident decision.
Will you tell me if the piano isn’t worth fixing?
Yes. We’ll be straightforward about what we see and what it means, even if the best advice is to walk away.
How long does an evaluation take?
Most evaluations take about 30-45 minutes depending on the piano and the reason for the assessment.
Schedule Your Piano Evaluation Today
Reach us by phone/text at (615) 771-0020 or complete the “Have a Questions? Ask Us!” form using the button on this page.
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