kcac Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 This question is kind of related to aaron7's thread titled "$2000 in repairs needed... what to do?" - http://w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30187&sid=1e0d5fb3aa119e23b03a1c380825c308 I was wondering if some of you in the know or in the auto repair industry could provide some insight on how repair hours are totalled. I also got a dealer quote of $2000 for the same repairs, timing belt and distributor o-ring replacement. The mechanic left me a message yesterday adding up the hours for each job, then totaling them for a final labor cost. There is some overlap in doing those two jobs at the same time, so I am assuming the actual time would be less, because the mechanic isn't going to take 6 hours to disassemble the engine, replace the timing belt, and reassemble the engine, only to take the same top end engine parts off again (and more) to get to the distribotor o-ring. I'm going to give the mechanic a call to ask about this question, but was wondering what the general billing practice is for auto repair. As it turns out, I was originally planning to do the work myself, but didn't want to commit the time to do the work. But when you start talking $2000, it gets to be time to break out the tools. Has anyone paid less for having these two things fixed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryk2003 Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 all those hours come out of a FLAT RATE BOOK...basically it tells you how long each job should take and if you do it faster then the time, you make money...if it takes you longer...you lose money...then they just multiply the flat rate hours by the shop rate to get labor...then add up the parts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 all those hours come out of a FLAT RATE BOOK...basically it tells you how long each job should take and if you do it faster then the time, you make money...if it takes you longer...you lose money...then they just multiply the flat rate hours by the shop rate to get labor...then add up the parts... Yup. Also if the mechanic does it in half the time, that doesn't mean the labor charge is cut in half. It's the same reason that if the mechanic takes LONGER, the customer won't be charged additional labor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canada Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Warranty time pays likes than book time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 all those hours come out of a FLAT RATE BOOK...basically it tells you how long each job should take and if you do it faster then the time, you make money...if it takes you longer...you lose money...then they just multiply the flat rate hours by the shop rate to get labor...then add up the parts... Yup. Also if the mechanic does it in half the time, that doesn't mean the labor charge is cut in half. It's the same reason that if the mechanic takes LONGER, the customer won't be charged additional labor. You are right in saying that. However to the more knowledgeable person who does'nt have the facilities or time to do the repair... its a rip off when 2 similar jobs are charged full rate and it can be done properly in conjunction with each other. Like the top end being removed and reinstalled and then being charged 4 hours labour to install the plug wires... I've seen it done and it defies all logic and good customer relation sensibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 where i work, about half the time we just name a price based on how big a bitch the job will be, and the other half of the time, we have a flat rate labor book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted June 11, 2005 Report Share Posted June 11, 2005 where i work, about half the time we just name a price based on how big a bitch the job will be, and the other half of the time, we have a flat rate labor book. I'm with you to a point, we look at the times listed then add or subtract depending on if we've done the work before or not, the overall condition of the vehicle, and if they buy any of our upsells. Buying extra services may make the entire job cheaper in the long run, everybody keep that in mind. A fuel filter here, a couple burnt out bulbs there, it makes a big difference when it comes down to the bottom line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted June 11, 2005 Report Share Posted June 11, 2005 all those hours come out of a FLAT RATE BOOK...basically it tells you how long each job should take and if you do it faster then the time, you make money...if it takes you longer...you lose money...then they just multiply the flat rate hours by the shop rate to get labor...then add up the parts... Yup. Also if the mechanic does it in half the time, that doesn't mean the labor charge is cut in half. It's the same reason that if the mechanic takes LONGER, the customer won't be charged additional labor. You are right in saying that. However to the more knowledgeable person who does'nt have the facilities or time to do the repair... its a rip off when 2 similar jobs are charged full rate and it can be done properly in conjunction with each other. Like the top end being removed and reinstalled and then being charged 4 hours labour to install the plug wires... I've seen it done and it defies all logic and good customer relation sensibilities. I would think most places would compensate for labor overlap. I know my place does. Like if you're changing a timing belt driven water pump, and want to upsell the timing belt change, it's not going to be the labor for the pump PLUS the labor for the belt. One of the jobs get reduced. The mitchell book will show that in some cases, and it's in the computer system as well. Places you go to don't do this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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