Good price on labor rates?

[Lousypirate]

Was getting estimates on having some stuff done on my 94 ram 3500 2wd. I wanted to supply my own parts, the two places I asked near me wanted $75 an hour(x 5 hrs or so). Sounded steep to me, but I haven't had anything done in a while. I don't particularly feel like doing upper and lower ball joints, tie rods(inner and outer with new sleeve), & hydraulic lines on front rotors. I was going to have them check the balance on the front tires while they had them off maybe too.

Would I be paying too much? What's a fair rate? I'm pretty sure my dad doesn't charge much more than that for certified bridge welding... And they charge less than the $75/hr for inside shop work if my memory serves me right...

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[boggin-machine]

you cant compare an auto shop to a bridge welder. not the same


75 is about normal wage.

shops have a mark up on the parts. so man up and take it.

[CheapThrillB2]

Alot of shops won't install customer parts, because they are not making markup from your parts and can't stand behind the warranty. I know my shop really doesn't do it. Majority of all reputable auto repair facilities are close to $70-80 an hr. And don't really expect any "deals" on the service if your supplying the parts.



If your getting all 4 ball joints, tie rods, and hoses for 5hrs and your supplying the parts....run with it. 5 hrs is a good deal for all that work.

[Nuggets]

Originally Posted by Lousypirate

Was getting estimates on having some stuff done on my 94 ram 3500 2wd. I wanted to supply my own parts, the two places I asked near me wanted $75 an hour(x 5 hrs or so). Sounded steep to me, but I haven't had anything done in a while. I don't particularly feel like doing upper and lower ball joints, tie rods(inner and outer with new sleeve), & hydraulic lines on front rotors. I was going to have them check the balance on the front tires while they had them off maybe too.

Would I be paying too much? What's a fair rate? I'm pretty sure my dad doesn't charge much more than that for certified bridge welding... And they charge less than the $75/hr for inside shop work if my memory serves me right...

Sent from my htc evo

Stop being a cheap fukc and either do the job yourself for the cost of the parts or have a shop do it and allow them to earn a living by making a few bucks on parts. Unless you are schooled on how to run an automotive business, you are not to judge what is right or wrong to do. If you want to compare prices from shop to shop, that's cool. Expecting a business to just hand you a part for cost is absurd.

[cgarbo]

$75 an hour is pretty fair shop price around me. The dealer I work at is $100 and hour and sounds like it may go up.

[Nuggets]

I like when customers tell me they can get a better deal on parts than I can.

[cgarbo]

I like when customers tell me they can get a better deal on parts than I can.

yeah thats always great. I get that all day long, and so I ask them why they dont buy they're parts elsewhere if they can get it so much cheaper.

[jbsjunk]

Originally Posted by Nuggets

I like when customers tell me they can get a better deal on parts than I can.

Yup. And they wonder why they have to replace them all the time. Cheap parts may get you home but they won't stay there as long as quality parts.

[Lousypirate]

I was just curious. I just wanted to know what the normal rates were. The only reason I compared auto repair to welding is that I would expect to pay more for a certified welder than an auto repair guy.

I like raybestos parts, sorry napa(unless they are one in the same). I can do it myself, but I don't feel like struggling with the ball joints. I never would consider the warranty on the parts, just a warranty on the labor for a short period of time.

In this case cheap fukc = college student.

I apologize if I offended anyone by asking a serious question about what the normal rates are. Thank you to those that have responded.

Any estimates what the price would be if I let them get the parts?


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[14muddn]

Find a shop that you know does good work not just cheap labor. Whether it's sticking metal together or replacing ball joints good skilled trade labor is worth the cost. Just my $0.02

[hardwateraddict]

I think the shops you checked at are right on track. I live in a small town and we charge $70 per hour. I'm willing to bet that we have the lowest labor rate in town. We dont install customer parts either for reasons listed above. I like MOOG parts for steering and suspension. They will cost you but you wont have to mess with them again. Cheaper aftermarket stuff is junk! All those parts are probably going to run you about $300. Also does the 5 hours labor include an alignment? You are going to need that too.

[bdd1469]

Originally Posted by Lousypirate

I was just curious. I just wanted to know what the normal rates were. The only reason I compared auto repair to welding is that I would expect to pay more for a certified welder than an auto repair guy.

I like raybestos parts, sorry napa(unless they are one in the same). I can do it myself, but I don't feel like struggling with the ball joints. I never would consider the warranty on the parts, just a warranty on the labor for a short period of time.

In this case cheap fukc = college student.

I apologize if I offended anyone by asking a serious question about what the normal rates are. Thank you to those that have responded.

Any estimates what the price would be if I let them get the part


Sent from my htc evo

Auto shops get a lot of money for several good reasons.Bridges welding stays the same from year to year,so do the tools and know how.Cars change every year,the tools and knowledge to use them is always changing.The shops have huge overhead in the form off diognostic equiptment and schooling.I was a certified welder also,not for bridges or under water,nothing like that.My point is that I was certified with zero schooling,a welding helmet and gloves was all I had to supply when I showed up for work.Auto mechanics spend thousands out of there own pocket every year to stay current.The shop owner spends thousands on diognostic equiptment and training it's employies.

$75 hr is about right,most shops wont use your parts because of warrentee isues.If I wasnt so busy Id be happy to help you out Jake.The last time you saw my jeep was the last time it ran correctly.

[Nuggets]

Originally Posted by Lousypirate

I was just curious. I just wanted to know what the normal rates were. The only reason I compared auto repair to welding is that I would expect to pay more for a certified welder than an auto repair guy. I like raybestos parts, sorry napa(unless they are one in the same). I can do it myself, but I don't feel like struggling with the ball joints. I never would consider the warranty on the parts, just a warranty on the labor for a short period of time.

In this case cheap fukc = college student.

I apologize if I offended anyone by asking a serious question about what the normal rates are. Thank you to those that have responded.

Any estimates what the price would be if I let them get the parts?



Sent from my htc evo

This is the problem. I own a shop and I charge $68.50/hr. When some people see this, they think I'm pocketing the whole amount. In reality, I only see a small fraction of this. I've got somewhere close to $200k wrapped up in my business and I have to spend more all the time. I've been wrenching for 30 years and I'm still paying the tool man (Snap On, etc.) every week.

[Lousypirate]

Originally Posted by bdd1469

"If I wasnt so busy" Id be happy to help you out Jake.

This is why I was planning on just paying Rick up at the corner. I've been doing business with him for 6 years now.

No it doesn't come with an alignment, that's going to have to happen as well.

Damn dog woke me up, now I can't sleep. 2 hrs before I even need you be up for work. Oh well, I can't stay mad at that face.


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[JeepInABox]

I'll do it for $45 a hour but it will take me 8 hours.