Anybody have information about mechanic labor fees?

[Toastedlightly]

I'm not sure if this should go in the garage or off topic, so I decided the latter.

I'm the new delivery driver at the local Erberts and Gerberts. We have 3 customer vehicles. A Saturn, a Mercury and another one. They are all in different states of dis-repair.

For instance, I was working my second night on delivery. I get into the delivery vehicle and the dash lights don't work. I am a mechanic by hobby, so I find the blown fuse and replace it while out on a delivery. I tell the shift lead about it, and he is flabbergasted. They had come close to receiving 3 tickets for the tail lights being out. Well, this car also has other issues (needs brake pads up front, transmission flush coming up, most likely a good cleaning in the throttle body judging by the stickiness of the accelerator).

Now, the reason I am looking into labor fees. These vehicles are usually serviced by a shop at what I assume is an astronomical price. I am thinking of talking to the boss/owner and perhaps arranging to have me be the primary mechanic of the vehicles. I have a proposal written up, but I am missing specifics.

I am not sure what I should charge (hourly). I know I will charge market value for parts, but my labor is kinda fuzzy. Anybody know what the average shop charges for labor (and can back it up)? Also, I'd be doing the repairs at my house, which would nessecitate the need for book times on different repairs (figure business wise this makes the most sense). So, can anyone help me out?

Thanks

 

[D1gger]

Just make sure you buy business insurance so when one of the other drivers piles up the car and tries to blame you for the state of repair of the vehicle that you are covered for the liability.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Bump!

 

[fh99]

Why not just call some local garages and ask what their hourly rate is?

Probably $60-80/hr

 

[lightpants]

$75/ hour - Lancaster,PA

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

It's about $75 hr here in Bellingham. Just an FYI, hopefully you have all the tools and equipment to do the job. If the cars are needed and you don't have the correct tools to finish the job, you may be in a world of hurt with the boss.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
It's about $75 hr here in Bellingham. Just an FYI, hopefully you have all the tools and equipment to do the job. If the cars are needed and you don't have the correct tools to finish the job, you may be in a world of hurt with the boss.

I am a college kid, but my parents are a 30 minute drive away. Fully stocked garage. We have 3 cars between 2 stores, so 1 car can be down. That isn't a worry. My boss uses a local garage, which he apparently hates because it costs him too much.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: D1gger
Just make sure you buy business insurance so when one of the other drivers piles up the car and tries to blame you for the state of repair of the vehicle that you are covered for the liability.

Wise business decision, otherwise your business might end with your first mistake.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: D1gger
Just make sure you buy business insurance so when one of the other drivers piles up the car and tries to blame you for the state of repair of the vehicle that you are covered for the liability.

Wise business decision, otherwise your business might end with your first mistake.

QFT. IF your boss wants you to do repairs, it'd be cheaper and safer for him to hire you as his mechanic. That'd also be the only way I'd do it to eliminate personal liabliity in case of an accident.
If you, as an independent contractor/business man does the repair and something happens that could be blamed on either you not doing the repair correctly or negligence by not finding something else while you were working on the car, you're fucked...You'd need some pretty heavy liability insurance...which would probably cost more than you'll make doing the repairs...