What to Expect when you bring a clock in for repair?
Step #1: What type of clock is it?
Mechanical clocks were made over hundreds of years in many different countries. They range in the complexity of their mechanisms from very simple time only movements to the very complex movements that incorporate music, and perhaps automation. Therefore giving exact pricing will be difficult, but we will try and at least provide a guide on this page.
Step #2: What is the problem?
So your clock isn't running. One likely scenario is that after running happily for many years one day you noticed it wasn't running. Try as you might you can't get it to go any more. If this is the case often the clock has become clogged with oil that has now blackened and while it once lubricated the movement, it is now stopping up the works! If this is the case, the movement needs to be taken apart cleaned, re-oiled, reassembled, and tested. In other cases the clock has could have been damaged, for example by a mover who was not careful. If there is damage in this way often the problem may be harder to diagnose and fix. Perhaps parts are missing or the case is damaged? In this case restoration work may need to be done. As you can see many of these situations would likely be unique to your clock and therefore difficult to estimate the time and effort required to fix without seeing it first!
Step #3: How Long will it take to fix my clock?
There are times when a problem is simple and takes only a few minutes to correct, however if there is something that needs attention then many hours will need to be spent correcting the issue. There are very few problems that don't involve disassembling the entire movement (and if you brought it in chances are it needs a cleaning anyway). Then once the movement is cleaned and oiled, if there is a defect that defect must be identified and fixed. After the problem has been corrected the rest of the movement must be fully reassembled and tested. If we are servicing your clock expect that up to 8 hours of time will be spent working on your clock before it is finished. After the work is complete, the clock must be set aside in a safe place and tested for at least one week to ensure that it is operating properly.
Step #4: How do we start the process?
A lot of times we get calls and the first thing the customer does is ask "My clock is not working, how much will it cost to fix it?" Unfortunately, without examining the clock I cannot answer your question. Sometimes a problem can be fixed in a few minutes, but in most cases the clock will need to be taken in for service. In order to tell you how much it will cost I will need to examine your clock. In order to start the process we will take your clock and a $150 deposit to perform the inspection. After we have had a chance to examine the clock we will provide you with an estimate for the repair. If you choose to proceed with the repair we will credit the $150 towards the cost. The work is guaranteed for a period of one year.
Having said all that below are some rough estimates of what a repair might cost.
Canadian or American Made Mantle Clocks
Many of these clocks had simple time and strike movements or time only movements. If they require servicing, typically new springs will be used during reassembly. For a full servicing, assuming no other work needs to be done, you could expect the cost to be on the order of $500.
Modern Mantle Clocks/ Wall Clocks (post WWII)
Newer is very often not better when it comes to clocks. After WWII society changed. We designed things to be thrown away and not fixed anymore. Modern mantle clocks CAN be fixed, but it is often more cost effective to replace the mechanism if a new one is available. In this case your clock WILL run like new! Hermle, and Howard Miller were common makers and often replacement movements can be located. Prices for this type of service start at $450 and will increase depending on the complexity and cost of the movement being replaced.
Cuckoo Clocks
Black forest cuckoo clocks fall broadly into two categories: true antiques made roughly between 1850-1900 and modern cuckoo clocks which were mass produced and are still made to this day. Cuckoo clocks are very complex and in addition to the movement contain bellows and wires. Many also play music from a music box. Expect a full service on a non-musical cuckoo to start at $600 and for a musical cuckoo budget $800. Also it should be mentioned that a brand new clock could be purchased for about the same price as a full servicing which is something to consider before starting a repair. If you choose to replace the clock, we can also import a new one and install it for you.
Grandfather/Long Case Clocks
Due to their size servicing these clocks involves a few more steps. While they do not require springs, this will require us to come to your home, remove the movement from the clock case and take it away for servicing. Once serviced the movement must be brought back and reinstalled in the case. These clocks can also be modern clocks or true antiques which are several hundred years old. Expect the cost to start at $1000.
French Clocks
Case styles vary widely for French made clocks, but almost all have a two train time and strike movement. A typical servicing will require two new mainsprings and a full cleaning. Prices start at $450.
Exotic Clocks
There are too many types of clocks to give a complete list here. Many amazing and unique clocks have been made over the centuries. So for more accurate pricing please contact us with as much information about your clock as possible!