Welcome to Patrick Nicol Pianos! Thank you for choosing our services. Please review the following terms and conditions before your appointment. By booking with Patrick Nicol Pianos, you agree to the following terms:

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1. Scope of Services

Patrick Nicol Pianos provides piano tuning, repairs, and maintenance services, including but not limited to pitch correction, voicing, and regulation. All services will be performed professionally, with the aim of optimising the piano’s sound and functionality.

2. Booking and Cancellation Policy

• Booking: Appointments are subject to availability and will be confirmed by phone, email, or text. We aim to be as accommodating as possible in scheduling your tuning.

• Cancellations: Cancellations require at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the service charge, as this time has been specifically reserved for you.

3. Appointment Scheduled Time

• Punctuality: Scheduled appointment times are approximate. We will make every effort to arrive at the stated time. If a delay of more than 15 minutes is expected, we will notify you via phone as long as contact information has been provided.

4. Payment Terms

• Fees: Service fees are due upon completion of the service unless otherwise agreed upon. All rates are discussed in advance and based on the scope of work.

• Accepted Methods: Payment may be made by cash, bank transfer, or credit card, depending on what is most convenient for you.

5. Condition of Piano

• Pre-appointment checks: Before confirming an appointment, you will be asked to provide details of your piano and its history to ensure you are given the correct service. Knowing the age, last tuning, any maintenance issue, and make/model of your piano will help determine what service can be provided to your piano. This information should be given to the best of the customers knowledge and the technician is responsible for ensure these basic questions are asked prior to an appointment.

• Initial Assessment: Before tuning begins, a quick assessment of your piano’s condition will be made. If any additional issues such as sticking keys, loose tuning pins, or excessive wear are identified, additional maintenance may be recommended.

• Pre-existing Damage: Patrick Nicol Pianos is not responsible for damage resulting from pre-existing conditions in the piano, including damage from age, wear, or previous repairs. If extensive repairs are required, we will notify you immediately. Please note that due to age, wear and tear, any repair work undertaken on much older pianos is done at the owners risk and to the best of the technicians ability. This will be discussed with the owner at the time of or prior to the appointment.

6. Pitch Raise Policy

• Out-of-Tune Pianos: Pianos that have not been tuned in several years may require a pitch raise. A pitch raise is an additional service to bring the piano up to standard pitch, typically performed before fine-tuning. This will be discussed with you during the assessment, and additional fees may apply.

• Concert Pitch Standard: Unless otherwise arranged, all pianos will be tuned to concert pitch (A=440 Hz). If your piano cannot be tuned to concert pitch due to structural or tuning stability concerns, the technician will discuss alternative options with you prior to tuning.

• Old Pianos: Very old pianos, which were often not designed to withstand the higher tension of modern concert pitch, will be tuned to the existing pitch or slightly raised pitch where possible, but not to the modern standard. This will be made know to the customer at the time of or prior to the appointment.

• String Breakage: Patrick Nicol Pianos cannot accept responsibility in the event a string breaks during tuning or a pitch raise. All work is carried out professionally with the best possible care, however strings breaking is always a possibility for many varied factors outside the technicians control. If the technician identifies rusted or fragile strings that may be prone to breakage, they will notify this with you before proceeding with work.

Please note that replacing a broken string(s) is be a chargeable repair.

7. Voicing and Regulation

• Optional Services: Voicing and regulation are specialized services that may be recommended for pianos that require adjustments to improve tone or touch. These are optional and will be discussed with you beforehand.

8. Use of Mobile Photography and Video

• Documentation: The technician may use a mobile device to photograph or record video of the piano, specifically to document its condition and highlight areas needing maintenance or repair.

• Social Media Content: Video and photography may also be used for social media purposes to demonstrate services. However, no personal, identifiable, or sensitive information will ever be shared publicly without the owner’s express consent.

9. Environmental Conditions

• Temperature and Humidity: Pianos are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, which may affect tuning stability. Patrick Nicol Pianos is not responsible for tuning stability if the piano is kept in fluctuating or extreme environmental conditions.

10. Parking and Access

• Parking: Please advise at the time of booking if there are any serious parking restrictions or challenges near your property.

• Rural Locations: For rural appointments, please provide detailed directions at the time of booking. Ideally, you can provide a Google Maps grid reference or a what3words location. To generate an accurate google map grid reference click on your location on the map to generate a precise grid reference and postcode.

11. Liability

Patrick Nicol Pianos takes the utmost care with each instrument. However, due to the age and condition of some pianos, certain risks exist. Patrick Nicol Pianos is not liable for damages caused by structural or mechanical issues that arise due to pre-existing conditions.

12. Warranty of Service

• Tuning Stability: While we strive to provide stable and accurate tuning, certain factors such as humidity and temperature fluctuations can affect tuning stability. No warranty is offered on tuning stability due to these variables.

• Service Guarantee: If you experience issues with the tuning shortly after service, please reach out within seven days, and we will do our best to assist or adjust if necessary.

13. Privacy Policy

Patrick Nicol Pianos respects your privacy. Any personal information provided for scheduling and communication purposes will be handled with confidentiality and used solely for business purposes.

14. Customer Comfort

Our goal is to make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. If there’s anything specific that could make you more comfortable, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here to cater to your needs wherever possible!

15. Changes to Terms and Conditions

Patrick Nicol Pianos reserves the right to update these terms and conditions at any time. Customers will be notified of significant changes prior to their appointment.

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Thank you for trusting Patrick Nicol Pianos with your piano’s care. We look forward to ensuring your piano sounds its best! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at patrick@patricknicolpianos.co.uk