how much does it cost to repair a grandfather clock

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair a grandfather clock?

The average grandfather clock repair cost is $1,300, and you need to service them every 2 years. Homeowners spend an average of $2,000 for a full overhaul and repair and only $110 to reset grandfather clock. It cost another $75 if the professional has to travel more than 25 miles to repair your grandfather clock.

How to put a grandfather clock back in time?

• When your mantel clock chimes, count the number of times it chimes.
• Move the hour hand to the hour indicated by the hourly chime (count the number of gongs at the hour).
• Reset the time using the minute hand to the correct hour and the chime should adjust along with the clock hands as well.

What causes a grandfather clock to stop working?

Grandfather clock keeps stopping. Mur. 5/28/15 12:07 PM. Probably out of beat. If it is a modern clock,with self-adjusting beat, the friction may be too loose. If an older one, owner needs to be shown how to adjust. The weights may be shuffled, or there may be interference at the crutch, or elsewhere.

How to fix a Tempus Fugit grandfather clock?

• Engraved or printed near the center face of the dial.
• Engraved or printed around the edge of the dial's face and may be covered by the bezel.
• Stamped or engraved on the clock movement's backplate.
• A paper label pasted on the back of the clock.

Is it expensive to repair a grandfather clock?

The cost of servicing a grandfather clock can vary between $100 and $2,500, depending on what services are necessary. Normal servicing is not too costly while repairing and replacing parts can quickly add up. Major factors that impact the cost include: The type of clock and internal mechanisms.

Is it worth repairing a clock?

It depends on why you want your clock fixed. Antique clocks often have sentimental value attached, and if the cost of the repair is worth being able to hear your Great Aunt's mantel clock ticking once again, then, of course, it is worth fixing (even if a replacement would be cheaper).

How often should grandfather clocks be serviced?

Every five to ten yearsClean the Clock Movements Every five to ten years, the grandfather clock should undergo a deep cleaning of the movements. The servicing should only be done at a professional clock repair shop.

What causes a grandfather clock to stop working?

Often a pendulum clock will stop when it has been moved, bumped or even a too aggressive push to restart a pendulum. It is not broken, only out of beat. This only takes a few minutes to readjust and all pendulum clock owners should learn how as this will happen eventually.

How much does it cost to restore a clock?

Different clocks and their repair costsTypePriceClock with an hour strike$320 to $400Clock with an hour strike and tune$380 to $500Anniversary clock$145 to $200Cuckoo clock$150 to $4005 more rows

How do you service a grandfather clock?

1:158:55“clean and oil” grandfathers clock (with out taking everything apart ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCan't actually start collecting dust there which is not what you want you could also use a toothpickMoreCan't actually start collecting dust there which is not what you want you could also use a toothpick or a needle to do this just make sure you don't get too much on there.

Do grandfather clocks increase in value?

Some very rare and old grandfather clocks can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Although most people would be thrilled to get $100 for their grandfather clock, if it is old enough, you will have quite a good chance to get more.

Are grandfather clocks a good investment?

Grandfather clocks can have a high investment value as long as they are maintained and restored carefully. A high quality, working antique grandfather clock rarely costs less than $3000. The rarest grandfather clocks, such as those made during the aforementioned Golden Age, can be worth as much as $100,000.

How long should a grandfather clock last?

Most quality new grandfather clocks will run about 20+ year if you set one up and never maintain it, but oiling every few years may make the clock last a lifetime (or two).

Why does a pendulum eventually slow down and stop swinging?

The pendulum stops eventually because of air resistance. The pendulum loses energy because of friction. Only in a theoretical situation when there is no friction the pendulum will oscillate forever.

Can you Overwind a grandfather clock?

Luckily, the truth is that you can't over-wind your clock. Over-winding is basically a myth! Let's take a look at what actually causes a clock to quit running or chiming after winding it up… A clock mainspring is made of spring steel and is about the width of a ruler (but not quite as thick).

How do you fix a grandfather clock that doesn't chime?

Some grandfather clocks have two strings hanging down on either side of the dial; pulling one silences the chimes, and pulling the other activates them again.If the clock has Automatic Night Silence, try advancing the time twelve hours. ... If the clock has weights, check that the weights are in the correct order.More items...•

Is a grandfather clock worth it?

Expect that your grandfather clock could be worth anywhere from $200 to $20,000 depending on the features and the condition of the clock. If you are willing to sell an antique clock and be fair about the overall pricing, chances are you will make quite a bit of money off of it.

Are grandfather clocks still popular?

"Grandfather clocks are classic items - not a fad," said Kerstin Chelius, president of Sandmark House on Beach Boulevard. "They've been around for hundreds of years and will continue to be around for hundreds more."

What can you do with old grandfather clocks?

Repurposed Grandfather's Clocks You can also repurpose the clock, for example, a living room can be completed with a shelf made of a grandfather's clock – paint it, add colorful wallpaper inside and maybe some drawers. If it's a dining room, you can leave the clock and add dinnerware storage.

How do you clean the mantel clock movement?

0:111:26How to Clean Antique Clocks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 3 clean the nooks and crannies with sharpened pegwood and clean the pinion leaves with theMoreStep 3 clean the nooks and crannies with sharpened pegwood and clean the pinion leaves with the brush and rag wipe the teeth of the wheels with pith. Step 4 clean the mainspring. And find pivots.

How much does it cost to fix a grandfather clock?

There are a number of things that will affect the price you pay for your grandfather clock to be fixed. Most repairs will fall in the range of $100 to $3000. The main factors affecting repair cost are:

Why do grandfather clocks cost more?

Rare grandfather clocks will also cost more because there will be fewer specialists who are able to work on them, and, therefore, they can charge a premium.

What happens if you have a grandfather clock?

If you have a grandfather clock, it’s likely that you’ve inherited it as a family heirloom or bought it as an antique. It can be worrying when a grandfather clock goes wrong because these are items that families become attached to , and as an older piece of machinery, you will struggle to find a manual to fix it yourself.

How to stop grandfather clock from working?

Check the Level. If a grandfather clock is not positioned on a level floor, then it can stop working. Check how level your floor is with a spirit level tool, and if you need to make adjustments, you can do so by sliding thin sheets of wood under the base of the clock to level it up.

Why do you need to have a workshop collect your grandfather clock?

The benefit of having the workshop collect your grandfather clock is not just the convenience but also the peace of mind that it will be transported and handled by people who know what they are doing and will have insurance to cover you if any accidental damage should be caused during transit.

Is it worth fixing a grandfather clock?

Common Repairs for Grandfather Clocks. Grandfather clocks are expensive to fix, and in some cases, the cost of repair will be higher than the value of the clock. In this case, you might be wondering whether the repair is really worth it, but if you are emotionally attached to the clock, it can be a difficult decision to give up on it.

Does proximity affect grandfather clock repair?

Location. Your location and, therefore , your proximity to grandfather clock specialists is going to affect the price you pay for repairs. If you live in a remote location with no specialists nearby, then you are going to have to ship your grandfather clock off to have it fixed.

How much does it cost to overhaul a grandfather clock?

Set up brand-new mechanical movements – $150 to $350 + the expense of a brand-new movement. Grandfather clock overhaul – $550 to $2,500, depending upon the range of trains.

How much does a cuckoo clock cost?

A cuckoo clock, typically, can cost $200 to $400 to fix. A clock with animation will generally cost 30 to half more than one without any animations. Likewise, the more weights that the clock has, the greater the cost can be.

How long does it take to get a clock back?

Talk with the store to see how long it will take to get your clock back. You shouldn’t be shocked if you will learn that it can use up to 3 months.

Do clocks need overhauls?

Almost all clock repair work will need an overhaul unless it’s seen as easy repair work. An overhaul will consist of a total disassembly, extensive cleaning, pivot cleaning, brand-new bushings, hook tightening ups, click rivet tightening ups, correcting the alignment of bent teeth, lubrication, oiling, reassembling, and re-testing. Typically, to make a dirty and used clock run well, a total overhaul is generally needed.

Do grandfather clocks need to be repaired?

Clock repair work might be required for a lot of reasons. Whether it’s a grandfather clock or smaller-sized antique clocks, the parts tend to deteriorate with time. Considering that these clocks can be pretty valuable, it would be a waste to put them away when they will stop working properly. Instead, there are experts out there who can carry out ...

How much does it cost to fix a cuckoo clock?

A cuckoo clock, on average, can cost $200 to $400 to repair. A clock with animation will usually cost 30 to 50 percent more than one ...

How long does it take to get a clock back?

Talk with the shop to see how long it will take to get your clock back. Do not be surprised if you are told it can take up to three months. Most experts can give a great estimate over the phone.

What is an overhaul on a clock?

An overhaul will include a complete disassembly, thorough cleaning, pivot cleaning, new bushings, hook tightenings, click rivet tightenings, straightening bent teeth, lubrication, oiling, reassembling and re-testing. Usually, to make a dirty and worn clock run well, a complete overhaul is almost always required.

How much does clock repair cost?

Has your clock stopped working? It would be a waste to store it or put it away when it stops functioning properly. Grandfather clocks and similar clocks can be valuable and expensive, so maybe it is time to have them repaired instead!

What are the factors that affect clock repair prices?

To get an idea of how much it costs to repair a grandfather clock or any clock type, check out the factors below and see if you can determine the issues your clock has, whether it’s a bad clock spring or a broken barrel.

Additional factors that affect clock repair prices

Additional factors such as restoration services may also cost additional fees, especially if the clock is vintage or worn out.

FAQs

Some clock issues are very simple, so you can look it up online to see if you can do it yourself. However, if the clock has been stocked for a while, if it is valuable, and it has sentimental value, perhaps it is a wiser choice to have it cleaned, overhauled and repaired by professionals. You can inquire and get a quote often for free.

When was the grandfather clock invented?

The name Grandfather Clock was actually not popularized until the 1870’s. American songwriter Henry Clay Work found himself in England for a visit, and was booked to stay at the George Hotel in Yorkshire.

What happened to the clock when the first brother died?

When the first brother died, the clock began to lose time, when the second brother died, it stopped completely. Whatever the truth of the matter, Work took a fancy to the story and wrote a song about it, called ‘My Grandfather’s Clock.’.

What does "tempus fugit" mean on grandfather clocks?

If your grandfather clock has “Tempus Fugit” embossed on the dials, as many do, this is Latin for “time flies” and is not an indication of the brand, make, model or value. Grandfather clocks are very complex and require a specific skill set.

What is the purpose of the white dial on a clock?

Additionally, the white dial came to house pictures and illustrations, such as birds, flowers, and other often nature-themed imagery.

Who invented the pendulum?

In 1656, a Dutchman by the name of Christian Huygens had the idea to use a weighted pendulum to drive clocks. Unfortunately, his original designs left something to be desired, as the potential of a pendulum as a timekeeping element was undermined by its own tendency to be slightly inaccurate.

Can you repair a grandfather clock yourself?

Expertise in grandfather clocks is rare and it’s important your grandfather clock be in the best hands. Don’t wait to repair your grandfather clock or try to service it yourself. We can even provide in-home serving and repairs for grandfather clocks.

The Type of Grandfather Clock

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Internal Mechanisms

Who Services Your Clock

Your Location

The Type of Service Needed

• By now, you should be aware that there are a number of grandfather clocks that you can find. For instance, some of these clocks make a sound when they strike the hour. On the other hand, some have many timings inside them. These are some of the things that can affect how much you have to pay for your service. Let’s say you have a clock with many ti...

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