Is a restored Steinway grand piano worth the investment? Can a 100-year-old instrument truly sound and feel like a brand new one? And the most important question: how much does it actually cost?
For over a century, my family has been dedicated to answering these questions, not with vague estimates, but with transparent pricing, world-class craftsmanship, and real customer stories. We believe that the Golden Era of Steinway—a period of unparalleled material quality and handcrafted artistry—represents a pinnacle of piano making that deserves to be preserved. A restored Steinway isn't just a more affordable alternative to a new one; in many ways, it's a superior instrument.
In this guide, we will pull back the curtain on Steinway piano restoration costs. We'll provide real pricing ranges based on our projects, share the stories of customers who have gone through the process, and introduce you to the master craftsmen whose hands will bring your piano back to life. Our goal is to give you the clarity and confidence you need to decide if restoring your family's Steinway is the right choice for you.
Steinway piano restoration is the process of returning a vintage piano to its original glory, both mechanically and aesthetically. This can range from a partial restoration, where we focus only on the areas most important to you, to a full restoration, where every component of the piano is addressed. The beauty of restoration is that it is not a one-size-fits-all process. It is a custom-tailored journey designed around your specific piano, your performance needs, and your budget.
To understand the transformative power of restoration, consider the story of Jason Warnick from Washington and his 1918 Steinway grand piano.
"This piano had sat, literally, as a piano-shaped object, not a piano, for a couple of decades," Jason recalls. "And a cat literally used it as a place to spend its day, inside this piano."
Jason's piano was a family heirloom, a gift to his grandparents from a couple they had cared for over ten years. It held immense sentimental value, but its musical value was long gone. The piano had been neglected for so long that it was no longer functional. Yet Jason knew that buried beneath the damage was an instrument from Steinway's Golden Era, a time when every piano was built by hand with materials and craftsmanship that are simply unavailable today.
After researching restoration shops across the country—from Seattle to California to North Carolina—Jason was struck by our immediate responsiveness and our family's deep-rooted tradition. Within two minutes of submitting a web inquiry, I personally called him back. Other shops took days to respond, and none could match the personalized attention and exacting answers he received from our team.
"It was clear this wasn't just a business to the Lindeblads," Jason says. "It was a family tradition to them to really invest in the perfect restoration of these vintage pianos."
We performed a full mechanical restoration on Jason's 1918 Steinway, focusing on the instrument's sound and playability while leaving the original finish to preserve its antique character. The soundboard was replaced, the action was completely rebuilt with over 10,000 new parts, and the strings and tuning pins were installed fresh. The result was so remarkable that it left a skeptical, seasoned piano tuner speechless.
"He was just shaking his head and just amazed," Jason says. "And I came down and he just stood there and just said this is absolutely amazing. It's the most amazing restoration I've ever seen."
Jason's story is a testament to what is possible. A piano that was once a home for a cat is now a concert-level instrument that honors his family's legacy. You can hear his full story in the video below:
Jason Warnick's 1918 Steinway Grand Restoration Testimonial
Steinway Piano Restoration Cost Breakdown
Now, let's talk numbers. The cost of a Steinway restoration is determined by the size of the piano, the scope of the work, and the specific parts you choose. While every project is unique, we can provide clear ranges for a full restoration, which includes a new soundboard, pinblock, strings, a complete action rebuild, and case refinishing.
As you can see, a full restoration typically costs 40-50% less than buying a brand new Steinway. You receive the revered quality of a Golden Era instrument, customized to your preferences, for about half the price of a new piano from the factory. For a Model B, you could save as much as $80,000. For a concert grand Model D, the savings can exceed $150,000.
These prices can fluctuate based on the cost of parts and supplies, which are always changing. However, the value proposition remains consistent: you are getting a piano with superior materials from the Golden Era, restored by craftsmen trained at the Steinway factory, for a fraction of the cost of a new instrument.
What's Included in a Full Restoration?
The Soundboard and Belly Work
The soundboard is the heart of the piano's tone. We install a new solid spruce soundboard, hand-fitted to the piano's rim, along with new bridges that are precisely notched for each string. The pinblock, which holds the tuning pins, is replaced with a new laminated hardwood block that will maintain tuning stability for decades. This work is performed by craftsmen like Galo Torres, who spent 30 years at the Steinway factory learning the traditional methods that defined the Golden Era.
The Action Rebuild
The action is the mechanical system that translates your touch into sound. It consists of over 10,000 individual parts, including hammers, shanks, flanges, dampers, and springs. In a full restoration, we replace or rebuild every component to factory specifications. We can install Steinway hammers or premium Renner hammers from Germany, depending on your tonal preferences. The action is then meticulously regulated by our chief concert technician, Bobby Avey, to ensure that every key responds with perfect evenness and control.
The Stringing and Tuning Pins
All 230-plus strings are replaced with new, high-tensile music wire. The bass strings are custom-wound to the exact specifications of your piano. New tuning pins are installed in the new pinblock, ensuring that the piano will hold its tune beautifully.
The Case Refinishing
The exterior of the piano is stripped down to bare wood, repaired as needed, and then refinished by hand. Mohammed Kayume, our master refinisher, applies multiple coats of stain and lacquer, color-matching by eye to achieve the exact finish you desire. Whether you want a traditional ebony satin, a warm mahogany, or an exotic veneer like Macassar ebony, Mohammed's 20 years of experience ensure a flawless result.
The Plate Refinishing
The cast iron plate, or harp, is removed, sandblasted, and refinished in gold. For pianos built before 1940, this plate was cast at the Steinway foundry and bears the inscription "Steinway Foundry Casting," a mark of authenticity and quality that modern Steinways no longer carry.
The Final Voicing and Tuning
Once the piano is fully reassembled, Bobby Avey voices the hammers to achieve the desired tonal color and then tunes the piano to concert pitch. The result is an instrument that sounds and feels like it just left the Steinway factory in 1920, 1930, or 1940—the Golden Era of American piano making.
Partial Restoration: Customizing Your Budget
Many of our clients, like Jason, don't require a full restoration. This is where the flexibility of our process truly shines. We provide a custom, tailored quote so you only spend money on what is most important to you. We can work with your budget to create a plan that meets your goals.
Mechanical-Only Restoration
If your piano's finish is still in good condition or if you appreciate the antique patina, you can focus exclusively on the mechanical components. This includes the soundboard, pinblock, strings, and action. The piano will sound and play like new, but it will retain its original aesthetic character. This approach can save you $10,000 to $20,000 compared to a full restoration.
Cosmetic-Only Restoration
If the mechanical components of your piano are in good shape but the case is worn or damaged, we can refinish the exterior while leaving the soundboard and action untouched. This is a great option for pianos that have been well-maintained mechanically but have suffered cosmetic wear over the years.
Hybrid Approach
Most of our clients choose a hybrid approach, where we address the most critical mechanical needs and perform targeted cosmetic work. For example, we might replace the soundboard and action but keep the original plate to save on cost. Or we might refinish the case but keep the existing strings if they are still in good condition. Every decision is made collaboratively, with your input and your budget in mind.
Our philosophy is to empower you to make the best decisions for your piano and your family. We will never pressure you into services you don't need. To get a personalized quote for your piano, you can request a free estimate here.
The Craftsmen Behind Your Restoration
The quality of a restoration is only as good as the hands that perform the work. At Lindeblad, we have assembled a team of master craftsmen with decades of experience, many of whom were trained at the Steinway & Sons factory itself. These are not technicians following a manual; they are artists who have dedicated their lives to the craft of piano making.
Galo Torres, Senior Craftsman (Soundboard & Belly Work)
With 30 years of experience at Steinway, Galo is a master of the traditional methods that defined the Golden Era. He understands that a soundboard is the soul of the piano, and that no two soundboards should be exactly the same. Each one must be fitted to the unique characteristics of the piano's rim and case.
"When they take away the craftsmanship, this started like a new era for the soundboard at Steinway," Galo explains. "So they try to make a standard soundboard for each piano. Not like when you start with the craftsmanship, you install each soundboard for each piano... That's why the customer, they like Lindeblad because over here, it's not just a piece of furniture. We bring you back, we bringing back the sound."
Galo's work is about more than technical precision. It's about honoring the tradition of craftsmanship that has been passed down from generation to generation. He teaches his apprentices the same way he was taught at Steinway: by hand, with patience, and with an unwavering commitment to quality.
Bobby Avey, Chief Concert Technician (Action & Regulation)
A concert pianist himself, Bobby is responsible for the piano's touch and tone. He meticulously regulates the action—the complex system of over 10,000 parts that connects the keys to the hammers. This is painstaking work that requires not just technical skill but also a musician's ear and a deep understanding of how pianists interact with their instruments.
"A bad action can have such a wide array of roadblocks to the pianist actually expressing themselves," Bobby says. "It often is the case that a poorly regulated action makes it impossible to play soft. Soft is one of the hardest things to do on the piano... A good action, ideally, will just go unnoticed. We want the musician to just be expressing themselves. The piano actually becomes part of their body in a sense."
Bobby's philosophy is rooted in humility. He approaches every piano as an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to remove barriers to musical expression. His work is informed by his years as a performer and composer, and he brings that sensitivity to every regulation he performs.
"One of the greatest barriers to achieving great regulation is actually just caring," Bobby explains. "You have to care and you have to pay attention and you have to concentrate for as long as it takes to get everything in place."
Mohammed Kayume, Refinishing Craftsman
Mohammed learned his craft at the Steinway factory and has perfected it over a 20-year career. He is a master of color, able to match any sample by hand and eye. Unlike modern production facilities that use spray guns and standardized finishes, Mohammed applies every coat of stain by hand, adjusting the color as he goes to ensure a perfect match.
"You got one chance to get the color on right," Mohammed says. "That's the biggest challenge when you say how the magic work. That's where the magic work because your brain is out to work now... The whole piano actually redone from scratch just like a brand-new piano. And everything done by hand not by spray gun. All the color matching by hand."
Mohammed's track record speaks for itself. In his entire career at Lindeblad, there has never been a return or a negative comment about his work. Every piano he refinishes is treated with the same meticulous attention to detail, from the largest panels to the smallest hardware.
These craftsmen, and our entire team of 40 artisans, are the reason a Lindeblad restoration is different. They pour their hearts and their history into every piano they touch. They are not just restoring instruments; they are preserving a legacy of American craftsmanship.
Restored vs. New Steinway: The Golden Era Advantage
Choosing between a restored and a new Steinway is about more than just price. It's about history, craftsmanship, and long-term value. To understand the difference, you need to understand what makes a Golden Era Steinway special.
The Golden Era of Steinway
From the late 1800s through the 1940s, Steinway pianos were built with materials and methods that are no longer available or economically feasible. The cast iron plates were made in Steinway's own foundry, ensuring perfect quality control. The cases were built from old-growth hardwoods with tight, dense grain. The soundboards were made from solid spruce that had been aged for years. Every component was fitted by hand by craftsmen who had apprenticed for decades.
In the post-war era, as Steinway transitioned to more modern manufacturing methods, some of these traditional practices were abandoned. The foundry was closed, and plates were outsourced. Soundboards became more standardized. The emphasis shifted from individual craftsmanship to production efficiency. While modern Steinways are still excellent instruments, they lack the unique character and superior materials of their Golden Era predecessors.
When you restore a Golden Era Steinway, you are preserving those irreplaceable qualities. You are keeping the superior plate, the old-growth case, and the hand-fitted construction. You are simply replacing the components that wear out over time—the soundboard, the strings, the action—with new parts that meet or exceed the original specifications.
A Story of Long-Term Value
Betsy Greenawalt of Bennington, Vermont, faced this decision with her 1894 Steinway Grand, an instrument that had been in her family for generations.
"It was in rough shape, and that's being kind," Betsy admits. "I knew that it was a valuable instrument. I couldn't just send it off someplace blindly and hope for the best."
After an extensive search, she chose Lindeblad, reassured by our long history and patient, expert guidance. The restoration process took several months, and Betsy admits she was nervous about entrusting such a valuable family heirloom to a company she had never met in person. But from the moment we picked up the piano, she knew she had made the right decision.
"They held our hand through the whole process," Betsy says. "Paul was very, very patient with us... From the moment they had the piano, the experience that I had with Lindeblad was just the utmost, highest, the best service that we could have ever asked for."
The result was a piano that not only looked stunning but sounded so beautiful that her daughter's piano teacher now comes to their house just to play it.
"She says, don't let the word get out that you have this beautiful piano here, because everyone's going to be wanting to come over to your house and play," Betsy laughs.
Betsy's perspective on the cost is instructive. She didn't see the restoration as an expense; she saw it as an investment in her family's legacy.
"You can't think of the short term cost," Betsy advises. "You have to think of the long term benefit of having a piece of furniture like that."
Betsy's 131-year-old piano is now ready for another century of music. You can see her beautiful piano and hear more of her story in the video below:
Betsy Greenawalt's 1894 Steinway Grand Restoration Testimonial
What Factors Affect Steinway Restoration Cost?
While the pricing ranges we've provided are accurate for most projects, several factors can influence the final cost of your restoration. Understanding these variables will help you have a more informed conversation with us when you request your estimate.
Piano Size and Model
Larger pianos require more materials and more labor. A Model D concert grand, with its 8-foot 11-inch length, requires a larger soundboard, more strings, and a more complex action than a Model M. This is why the Model D restoration range starts at $60,000, while the Model M starts at $50,000.
Condition of the Piano
A piano that has been well-maintained throughout its life will require less work than one that has been neglected or damaged. If the rim is cracked, if the pinblock is severely worn, or if the case has water damage, additional repairs will be needed. Conversely, if the soundboard is still in good condition, we may be able to repair it rather than replace it, saving you money.
Scope of Work
As we've discussed, you have complete control over the scope of the restoration. A partial restoration will cost less than a full restoration. If you choose to keep the original plate rather than having it refinished, you'll save several thousand dollars. If you opt for a satin finish rather than a high-gloss finish, the labor cost will be lower.
Choice of Parts
We offer options for many of the components we install. For example, you can choose between Steinway hammers and Renner hammers. Renner hammers, made in Germany, are considered by many to be the finest in the world, but they come at a premium. Similarly, you can choose between different types of key tops, different hardware finishes (nickel or brass), and different veneer options for the case.
Customization and Special Requests
If you want to customize your piano beyond the standard restoration—for example, if you want to change the finish from ebony to mahogany, or if you want to add decorative inlays or custom hardware—these requests will add to the cost. We are happy to accommodate any customization you can imagine, and we'll provide a detailed quote for the additional work.
Timeline and Urgency
Our standard restoration timeline is 4 to 8 months, depending on the scope of work. If you need your piano completed on an expedited schedule, we can often accommodate that request, but it may involve additional costs for overtime labor or prioritization in our workflow.
The best way to get an accurate estimate for your specific piano is to request a free consultation. We'll ask you detailed questions about your piano's condition, your goals for the restoration, and your budget, and then we'll provide a transparent, itemized quote.
How to Choose a Restoration Shop: What to Look For
Your piano is a precious asset, both financially and emotionally. Entrusting it to a restoration shop requires a leap of faith. As Betsy’s story shows, choosing a partner with a long track record of excellence and a commitment to customer service is paramount.
When evaluating a restoration shop, ask these questions:
How long have you been in business?
Look for decades, not years, of experience. Piano restoration is a craft that takes a lifetime to master. A shop that has been in business for 100 years, like Lindeblad, has the institutional knowledge and the proven track record to handle even the most challenging projects.
Do your craftsmen have experience with Steinway pianos?
Steinway pianos are unique, with proprietary designs and specifications that differ from other brands. Ask if the shop’s craftsmen have been trained at the Steinway factory or have worked extensively with Steinway instruments. At Lindeblad, many of our craftsmen, including Galo Torres and Mohammed Kayume, spent decades at Steinway before joining our team.
Can I see examples of your work and speak to past customers?
A reputable shop will be proud to share their portfolio and connect you with satisfied customers. We encourage you to watch the testimonial videos from Jason and Betsy, and we’re happy to provide additional references upon request.
What kind of warranty do you offer?
A comprehensive warranty shows confidence in the quality of the work. We stand behind every restoration we perform, and we’re committed to your satisfaction long after the piano is delivered to your home.
How will you communicate with me during the restoration?
The restoration process can take several months, and it’s important to stay informed. We provide regular updates, photos, and opportunities to make decisions about your piano throughout the process. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening with your instrument.
What is your philosophy on restoration?
Some shops take a production-line approach, treating every piano the same way. At Lindeblad, we believe that every piano is unique and deserves a custom approach. We work with your budget, your preferences, and your goals to create a restoration plan that is tailored to you.
At Lindeblad, we have been restoring pianos for over 100 years. Our process, from the initial conversation to the final tuning in your home, is designed to be transparent, collaborative, and reassuring. We understand that entrusting us with your family’s piano is a big decision, and we take that responsibility seriously.
The Restoration Process: What to Expect
Once you decide to move forward with a restoration, here’s what you can expect:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We’ll have a detailed conversation about your piano’s history, condition, and your goals for the restoration. We’ll ask for photos and, if possible, the piano’s serial number so we can research its provenance. Based on this information, we’ll provide a preliminary estimate.
Step 2: In-Person Inspection (Optional)
If you’re local to our facility in Dover, New Jersey, you’re welcome to bring your piano to us for an in-person inspection. If you’re farther away, we can often provide an accurate estimate based on photos and your description.
Step 3: Transportation
We work with trusted piano movers across the country to safely transport your piano to our facility. The piano will be carefully disassembled, wrapped, and secured for the journey. As Betsy discovered, we often use Green Mountain Piano Movers for our East Coast projects, a company known for their professionalism and care.
Step 4: The Restoration
Once your piano arrives at our facility, it will be assigned to our team of craftsmen. The restoration process typically takes 4 to 8 months, depending on the scope of work. During this time, we’ll keep you updated with photos and progress reports. You’ll have opportunities to make decisions about finishes, hardware, and other customization options.
Step 5: Final Inspection and Tuning
When the restoration is complete, Bobby Avey will perform the final voicing and tuning. We’ll invite you to visit our facility to see and play your piano before it’s delivered, if you’re able to make the trip.
Step 6: Delivery and Setup
Your piano will be carefully transported back to your home and set up in the room of your choice. We’ll perform a final tuning after the piano has acclimated to your home’s humidity and temperature.
Step 7: Ongoing Support
We recommend having your piano tuned twice a year to maintain its sound and stability. We’re always available to answer questions or address any concerns you may have.
An Investment in Your Family's Legacy
A restored Golden Era Steinway is more than just a musical instrument. It is a piece of history, a work of art, and an investment that will appreciate over time. It is a connection to the past and a gift to the future. By choosing restoration, you are not only saving a significant amount of money compared to buying new, but you are also preserving a legacy of American craftsmanship.
Jason Warnick's 1918 Steinway is now a centerpiece of his home, a reminder of his grandparents' generosity and a tool for building his own children's confidence through music. Betsy Greenawalt's 1894 Steinway is a treasured family heirloom that will be passed down to her daughter and, one day, to her grandchildren. These pianos are not just instruments; they are stories, memories, and legacies.
If you are ready to explore the possibility of bringing your Steinway back to life, we invite you to take the next step. Whether you're considering a full restoration or a more modest mechanical refresh, we're here to guide you through the process with transparency, expertise, and care.
Request a free, no-obligation estimate today and let us help you write the next chapter in your piano's story.
For more information about our Steinway restoration services, visit our Steinway Restoration page.
References
[1] Piano Buyer. "STEINWAY & SONS - Piano Buyer." Accessed November 6, 2025.
https://www.pianobuyer.com/steinway
