Another Labor Rate ?

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maxpower_hd - 06 Dec 2006 15:17 GMT

I asked this at the end of a similar thread but that one lools like it
is attracting more opinions about the original poster than it is
information. As a result, I decided to repost it here as a seperate
question.

I've been doing side work out of my home shop off and on for a few
years now and have been charging $25/hr for actual time worked. I think
that price is more than fair given my situation. I would like to find
out where I could get a used rate book or reasonably priced one for
someone in my position. The ones I've been able to find on line are
$180 and up. That seems a little steep for someone that only does a
couple of jobs here and there to help pay for a hobby. Does anyone
have information on an affordable on line version or a place where used
ones might be available? I mainly work on older models, up to about
2000.

I am starting to get enough requests for work that I don't want to sell
myself too short but I do want to be very fair. The most recent request
is from a friend who is willing to pay me the book labor times at
whatever rate I feel reasonable because his current mechanic is
charging him through the nose. He is a caterer and has several vehicles
that need to be maintained/repared.

In the mean time.....does anyone happen to know the labor listed for
R&R of an oil pan in a 1999 Ford E250? It has a 5.4 Liter V8, 4 spd
auto and no AC if that even matters.

Thanks

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maxpower_hd

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Elle - 06 Dec 2006 15:32 GMT

Max, you might check your local public library's reference
desk and ask if they have AllData on their in-house,
internet computers. My library does.

AllData has labor times etc.

> I asked this at the end of a similar thread but that one
> lools like it
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> V8, 4 spd
> auto and no AC if that even matters.

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* - 06 Dec 2006 15:39 GMT

maxpower_hd <maxpower_hd.2iegzc@no-mx.nodomain.com> wrote in article

> I asked this at the end of a similar thread but that one lools like it
> is attracting more opinions about the original poster than it is
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> ones might be available? I mainly work on older models, up to about
> 2000.

I often run across older flat rate manuals at used book stores and at
automotive service facility foreclosure auctions.

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* - 06 Dec 2006 16:13 GMT

maxpower_hd <maxpower_hd.2iegzc@no-mx.nodomain.com> wrote in article

> I asked this at the end of a similar thread but that one lools like it
> is attracting more opinions about the original poster than it is
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> years now and have been charging $25/hr for actual time worked. I think
> that price is more than fair given my situation.

Just curious.....How can you afford garage owner liability insurances at
that labor rate?

Or, do you not mind putting your house, all your possessions, and your
future earnings up for grabs every time you are compensated for working on
someone's car?

That tax-free cash income is really NOT worth it all.

> I am starting to get enough requests for work that I don't want to sell
> myself too short but I do want to be very fair. The most recent request
> is from a friend who is willing to pay me the book labor times at
> whatever rate I feel reasonable because his current mechanic is
> charging him through the nose. He is a caterer and has several vehicles
> that need to be maintained/repared.

I am not a lawyer, and the following is my opinion only - not legal advice.

He'll be the first guy in line at the lawyer's office should something go
wrong - and EVERY business occasionally has something go wrong.

How fairly you treated him will not be the subject of discussion.

It's one thing to do an occasional cash-under-the-table repair job for a
neighbor, but when you start dealing with businesses, they record all their
expenses, and expect other businesses to deal on a professional level. You
had better be playing the game according to the rules.

At the very least, you should spend a grand or so and set yourself up as a
LLC. That way, all the bastards can get from you will be whatever the LLC
owns - and, if you're REALLY smart, YOU. personally, will lease all the
tools and equipment to the LLC, so only the contents of the checkbook will
be at risk.

I work in motorsports, which is becoming more and more litigious, and that
is the way my lawyer suggested setting myself up.

Of course, in addition to lease payments, I pay myself and my wife regular
bonuses, so the checkbook usually only contains whatever amount is
necessary to keep the business running and the bills paid.

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maxpower_hd - 06 Dec 2006 16:45 GMT

The quick easy answer is I don't. So far I have only been doing small
jobs for friends. This particular business owner is also a friend.
This would be the first business I would be doing work for. I have
already been thinking about insurance because I plan to do other things
out of my home shop as well.

I don't know how to go about becoming an LLC. Is this something I can
do on my own or do I need a lawyer for that? It sounds like you had to
do it yourslef, that's why I asked. I know you are not a lawyer
yourself.

Thanks for the advice. It is greatly appreciated.

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Kevin Bottorff - 10 Dec 2006 02:35 GMT

> The quick easy answer is I don't. So far I have only been doing small
> jobs for friends. This particular business owner is also a friend.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks for the advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Most areas won`t let you work out of your home garage anyway, so getting
insurance is a no go. also insurance will be at least 10,000. bucks. Been
there done that. It is a no win situation. KB

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Thunder Snake #9
"Protect" your rights or "lose" them.

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