Some good advice I once got that I still use to this day. If you don't feel like taking a job, bid it super high. The customer likely will pass because of price. If they bite, at least you'll get paid really good to do something you don't care to.
I have been working on a shop that works on euro cars only for a long time, when I decided to do some work on the side I was undercharging by a lot. Than a friend told me that some of the cars I fixed they been to many shops in the town and they couldn’t fix them so I should adjust my rate. And I did, and I’m glad I did.
Just wanted to stop by an thank you for your content. I think you are one of the most down to earth car guys on RUclips, really appreciate your honest perspective. Keep up the great work!
I'm a DIYer, not a professional, so I only work on family or friends and some neighbors. I only charge for parts and supplies because it's a hobby not a business even though I've been doing it for over 45 years.
I personally struggle with this subject a lot. I don't like to charging but at the same time I dont like to charge a very lot.... I dont like to charge a lot because its usually "friends" but at the same time I feel bad, not so much for myself, but for dropping the value of a real technician. Not long ago a guy I usually do oil changes on called me up and asked to take a look at some stuff after I knock out another oil change. I told him what I thought could use some attention and after I gave him some shot in the dark prices he took a shot at me. "We bring our cars to people like you so we dont have to pay a whole lot" I went off on him and been avoiding his calls lately. Thats why I feel bad about not charging much because it diminishes a real technician values.. Im just starting out and I know some stuff, not a whole lot but more than average so it makes it hard for me...
I'll cut someone a good price if they are potentially going to be a repeat customer. Used auto dealers or people with small businesses. No oil changes here either unless it's getting drained anyway. Thanks for the video bro!
Good video Justin. I’m the same way I can’t charge close friends or family. Some jobs just aren’t worth doing because of the trouble because hell my time may not be valuable to some folks but it is worth something to me ! Plus it depends on what kind of money you need at the time they ask for the job. Bills are bills and they come due so you got to do what you got to do !
Good advice. I do much of the same for machining and tig welding job. Your dad's channel is great, he seems to be a good down to earth guy with great experience.
I charge $20 an hr for sidework. I only have a few people I do work for. Sometimes I wish I had more side work and then sometimes I dread doing it lol.
Just did a FREE favor for a friend who calls me 2 hrs after getting the vehicle during work hours and blasts me out for taking too long. I bluntly explained how a business works and he will have it back by the end of the day. His wife calls me back to tell me that he was upset and she was mad that they had to wait. I finished the job and they waited until the next day. I guess they really needed the vehicle back. I think they were abusing my friendship. They think I am a jerk!
I am a ASE certified technician and I provide a mobile mechanic service to the Cincinnati tri-state area I live in and I can say I always make sure I quote every new customer and returning client the same price I give anyone for certain jobs and I always decide my price by difficulty, how much effort goes into getting to the part being replaced which does vary from make, and models and how they were designed but for the most part I charge the same or close to the same price across all makes and models for different jobs but I might charge around $10-30 or even $40 more for certain models because of how difficult that part for that select model is to remove or if the work is more tedious because of design and having to remove extra parts to get to it I will charge more but no matter what no one never pays anything less than my bottom dollar amount I will take to do a job even if it's simple and quick to do I'll still charge someone $100 to do all their breaks and rotors assuming they have disc brakes all around and it take only 30-40mins to change them out on let's say a ford explorer but because your 90s model Honda accord has captive rotors which I think is dumb as fuckkkkkk I would have to charge them more because more is put I to changing them but if you have a Ford expedition and your breaks and rotors changed out and were as easy if not easier than the explorers and took less time as well because I charge a minimum of $100 to do them even without any problems or if they don't take as long your not going to get a special deal because it went so well for me and your vehicle because though it took less time and effort I still feel that the work I've done is worth the number I gave you now if you're a long time client and need time to pay off the rest of what you owe because of whatever reason I will allow you to pay me off at a later time as long as you have a good track record of paying me on time or telling me that you need more time before letting it run out and I have to ask about it because I'll look at that as a sign of distrust and to not give you the same trust and respect I originally gave you because you aren't trying to pay me off or you simply don't care and never planned on it which will make it harder on you next time you need something fixed you won't be getting the whole job completed that day if you're not able to pay the full amount which I make sure of before I scheduled a job but sometimes you get new customers that misunderstood you or they get you out there and fix there vehicle and try to pull the I thought you said this amount was fine after I made sure you knew the price and you have to stand your ground and keep calm in order to avoid some cheap prick from muscling their way to paying less and I always remain respectful and calm so when I tell them they agreed to the amount and it's due they do t try and pull a fast one and say that's all they have then I'll reply and say well that's OK because your vehicle needs this or that before I can finish it so they won't have a running car and I don't end up shorted and when they turn around their stories and say they can ask so and so for the rest as long as I can get their car done that day I'll finish up the job collect my payment and usually won't come back to help them and my family know I do this for a living and that I work for my self so they know I'll typically do their jobs for free or for something in return like a favor or something I can borrow one day or something like that and they don't mind paying me if I do ask for a payment because I give them a payment that's half or 3/4s times cheaper than I charge anyone else
This. Family buys parts, not labor. If I can fix it and have time to then I will. Friends are case by case and anyone else will either pay me or they'll be picking up a wrench. Great video
Great tips, Dow. I've put an advertisement in the local classified ads, I've handed out business cards and left them at NAPA and other local places and my wife is going to do make vinyl signs to adhere to the rear window and side windows of the extended-cab side windows of the Silverado. I started the side work to towards building up a business for when I can retire from my full-time job and the sooner the better. The mobile work has been more than I anticipated because my intent was to do the work at my house. I've been having my 15 year old son help me at times as well. My charges have been based upon .50/mile to the address by Google Maps and using RepairPal. With RepairPal I insert the year, make, and model of the vehicle and the work I need to do. RepairPal will gives an estimated labor cost based on local shops, e.g. $250-$400 and I generally go by the lowest amount. Sometimes, depending on the simplicity of the job I don't charge anything. For example I was called by an older, black gentleman to find out why his 1967 Buick Electra 225 wouldn't start after he had someone else install a new power brake booster. The problem was the neutral safety switch being unplugged, I just plugged it back in and the car fired right up. I didn't charge for that. Now, he wants me to sort the wiring issue with the rear tail lights (I wish you could see the hot mess the wiring is in, Dow) and check another issue on his older Ford Econoline. So, more work is coming. My goal with the side work was to mainly help people keep their older cars on the road longer, because not everyone like me can afford a brand-new car. When I started this venture I was ridiculed that I'd get all sorts of low-life, free loaders who want something for nothing. Well, not everyone prioritizes their beer and tobacco purchases over their car repair needs and I'm not going to let someone walk over me, I'm fair and reasonable as I can be. I'll help out family members all I can as well. I need to look at a Jeep Liberty owned by the husband of a friend of my wife. I know specifically the dire straits they're in so I'm not going to try and make anything off them. Dow, if you have any tips and advice to share with all you just read you're welcomed to call my cellphone. Let me know and I'll email it to you.
You've got to bleed them before you bleed their brakes. First things first. I suggest using a feeler gauge on their wallet and try to widen the gap between the bills. This can be accomplished by removing the larger ones, tightening and rechecking clearance. Remove bills until all free-play is removed. Don't remove too many or you might burn out their bearings! Always lube them up before final torque(booze works well). Road test MUST include a trip to the bank.
If my tools have to enter my car to go to someone’s house they already owe me $50. I’m charging $50 an hour side work, some people think that’s ridiculous since I’m not a business. Some people understand and pay because they’d rather pay someone who knows what they’re doing to fix their car for $50 an hour rather than take it to a shop and pay $100 plus an hour. Only exception to that is my parents, but even then they have some type of price to pay.
50 an hr is cheap and if people think thats expensive then lol well there broke ass car will stay broken... probably the same kinda folk that goes to a play that doesnt charge a diag ...
I rarely do any side work personally, over the years done a few small things for friends, and I'll work on mom's car on occasion, Outside of work on my free time, the last thing I want to do is work on cars lol, just my opinion, Cheers
Free time and someone wants to buy it from me ... My time is expensive and time is the only thing we can't get back so for someone to take time from my kids so they can save a few bucks I don't think so
Ive also done that too... when I really dont want to do somethin. Ill charge a whole lot more than I usually would. One day my neighbor calls me up at 3am tells me he needs me to fix his truck thats broken down at this house. It was 3am I was sleepy and kinda cranky. Just needed an transmission pan gasket... I said $500 and you pay for parts. In my mind that was an going yo be an automatic no... I was in shock when he said "sounds great, I need it done today before 5pm" Bro Ive never in my life have waken so fast...I got up got half way dressed and headed to my 24 hour auto parts store...he called me while I was there and told me to just go ahead and change out the filter and the trans pan. Got everything and got it done within 40ish mins. Didnt have to lift the truck or anything, it was a lifted f350, bitch was so tall that My fatass and a creeper could fit underneath the truck and still have space to spare. Nothing in the way of the pan. A piece of cake. I go and try to start it and battery and alternators are bad... call him up again and tell him. Tells me just to get it done. Got the alternator and 2 brand new batteries (diesel) and slap em on and started right up no issues. I wasnt planning on charging him more for all that. He shows up the next day and handed me a fresh stack of 100s ($1000). In short. I absolutely love Drug dealers lmao I still work on his cars and his family cars. They got about 25 total... I do all the repairs on em.... my most recent job was vaccum hoses on his volvo s40 turbocharger... put a cigarette on his vaccum lines and found all the leaks and fix em. Tells me the dealership wanted $1200 for all that work. Hands me again another cool couple hundred bucks and Im on my way. Always throws an edible or some weed as a tip too. My absolute favorite and best customer
I completely avoid side work. If my family has a simple issue I’ll swing by and check it out otherwise they get the friends and family discount where I work. My parents don’t want or expect me to fix stuff for free. I used to help friends all the time. Got used. Got rid of the friends and solved the problem.
I no longer offer transmission fluid, filter changes after 100k mi. Had two people try to sue me for the issue. Family, I will do work and price it out accordingly. If I can't do it, they'll take it to a shop..
Friends,family including in-laws, or people that are experienced in a trade i find that can be valuable to me no charge. Gotta go that owns his own deer processing in my area, i do his wifes and his vehicles regular matience for free and whatever comes up, free processing for all my wild game every year! Works out pretty good.
I don't even do my own oil changes I just take it at Valvoline pay 55 bucks and have at it and they top off the rest of fluids to and you can sit in your car and watch them do it
Just dont pee where you sleep...aka...dont let your boss think your doing things at home that the shop could be doing...they dont like that very well... If your an auto mechanic at work and service small engines at home...that's one thing. Your fixing things for family...great. But...for example if your a diesel tech at work...don't try to run a mobile diesel service from home on nights andweekends...the boss may see that as you steeling business from him/conflict of interest. Just say'n watch what you do and who you tell what you do😉
I'm in construction. Know very little about cars and mechanics. So why am I here Answer is we are not that different. Your comment about working for a acquaintance that you really don't want to do the work for so you charge more for your inconvenience is something I always struggled to explain to them You worded it excellently bro. I'll be quoting ya 😉
U bring to me on my time. 40$ an hour plus materials. I come to you it's 75$ an hour from time I leave house till I'm home plus all gas,rods,grinding disc etc. This is for welding and fabrication work
With a mobile, individual guy working from home you still have to pay him for his knowledge. Cheap prices generally brings really cheap clientele that don't want to turn or replace rotors for example then they'll complain you screwed their brake job. Not worth it IMHO. When I have one of those on the phone the price goes up because I have to deal with them again alwaysbut seems and some even get cocky, play the victim and get cops involved and we don't have time for that drama. They want to pay the high labor rate then ill throw the basic rotors on for free as ill have my costs covered and know it won't be back for brake issues again anytime soon. Always document your work, everything! Doing mobile work you need access to proper troubleshooting stuff hence Mitchell Shopkey Pro and that's not free to us. Try about $135-$150 per month. We've got our vehicle to maintain, insurance, vehicle expenses, tools, etc. A mobile auto repair service shouldn't be making any less as that guy still has to know what he's doing and has bills as a shop does, works in all weather, yes even if it's -20 in a blizzard and we still do the work. Not always cushy like in a warm shop with a heated floor. Would I do it out of my house? Only if city allowed mixed use zoning in residential, if my VA Loan allowed you to run a business out of your house which if you read your VA Loan paperwork carefully and you'll find it's prohibited by law to run a business out of your home on a VA Loan. It's very clearly printed in the loan documents. Hence this is why one has a mobile service. Regular mechanics hour $60 hr labor plus parts. Diagnostics beyond a code scan $75 per hour and if I have to hook a J-Box up it's $100 + per hour as special battery maintainer is needed and that was around $550 just for the 100 amp battery maintainer. You still need insurance to cover you for this stuff because something goes wrong and people will sue. It's $60 for me to load my stuff up and show up just in town and then a 1hr minimum which includes scanning as I always do a prescan report and save it as proof of issues with vehicle when it came in and a post scan report afterwards as well. I take photos of any damage on vehicle. All 4 sides as it covers you. Pictures of mileage are taken and all info is saved under 1 file in scan tool. Document, Document, Document is the name of the game just as in a shop. IF you don't and they sue they can cost you a lot of legal expenses and possibly own your tools and then some if you're not protected. Not that hard to report taxes quarterly either as depending on your revenue our state allows you to go monthly, quarterly, etc.
Can same thing I'm a butcher and I got buddies at Hunt and all that and next thing you know they show up and I said hey man can you cut these deer for me and I look back and truck and there's like four deer that have been scanned you know they've been gutted field-dressed but Heaven skin and you know they want me to cut them up for man this is not my man will get you a case of beer okay you know you're talkin about 3 hours work and you know I make good money as a butcher and I don't have my Saws and stuff like that that I have at work and I can't take it to work to do it because it's not inspected it's not inspected meat and you know I do it sometimes cuz they're my friends but it just kind of pisses me off that they want to take advantage of me
My grandmother never pays for anything when I work on her car I'll buy everything for her my mother depending on much the parts are she'll pay for some of them and all other family members pay for parts and slide some cash for labor not much but just to get this broke ass 24 year old some beers
Is this an assumption based on your part? How is a mobile mechanic that has a business, licensed, insured, skilled to do the job a rip off ? The way I look at it if I do mobile work you're paying me for my knowledge and understanding of what I'm doing. Do you think we just magically learn this stuff?
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Some good advice I once got that I still use to this day. If you don't feel like taking a job, bid it super high. The customer likely will pass because of price. If they bite, at least you'll get paid really good to do something you don't care to.
I hate being asked to change oil. I completely agree with you.
I have been working on a shop that works on euro cars only for a long time, when I decided to do some work on the side I was undercharging by a lot. Than a friend told me that some of the cars I fixed they been to many shops in the town and they couldn’t fix them so I should adjust my rate. And I did, and I’m glad I did.
Just wanted to stop by an thank you for your content. I think you are one of the most down to earth car guys on RUclips, really appreciate your honest perspective. Keep up the great work!
Can’t help everyone out. That’s not being a bad guy matter fact you are nice enough to even do so. Great person and a good soul. God bless you bro
I charge $250.00 per hour with a 12 hour minimum, and yes I stay busy.
damn $3000 is cheap can you rotate my tires for that price?!?
Its always "dude we're friends". They are also not going to pay you. 1st rule of mechanic life, pay first for big jobs.
I'm a DIYer, not a professional, so I only work on family or friends and some neighbors. I only charge for parts and supplies because it's a hobby not a business even though I've been doing it for over 45 years.
A friend of mine who doesn't want to do side work replies... " do you ask the postman to go for a walk" LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOL
I personally struggle with this subject a lot. I don't like to charging but at the same time I dont like to charge a very lot.... I dont like to charge a lot because its usually "friends" but at the same time I feel bad, not so much for myself, but for dropping the value of a real technician. Not long ago a guy I usually do oil changes on called me up and asked to take a look at some stuff after I knock out another oil change. I told him what I thought could use some attention and after I gave him some shot in the dark prices he took a shot at me. "We bring our cars to people like you so we dont have to pay a whole lot" I went off on him and been avoiding his calls lately. Thats why I feel bad about not charging much because it diminishes a real technician values.. Im just starting out and I know some stuff, not a whole lot but more than average so it makes it hard for me...
I'll cut someone a good price if they are potentially going to be a repeat customer. Used auto dealers or people with small businesses. No oil changes here either unless it's getting drained anyway.
Thanks for the video bro!
I charge 30 or so and 50 for friends and family.
Good video Justin. I’m the same way I can’t charge close friends or family. Some jobs just aren’t worth doing because of the trouble because hell my time may not be valuable to some folks but it is worth something to me ! Plus it depends on what kind of money you need at the time they ask for the job. Bills are bills and they come due so you got to do what you got to do !
Koon Trucking Yuppers. Totally agree. 👍
Yah i take care of the whole fam wifes side included feels good helpin people
It sure does. It's pretty col when you can save the day for family. Cheers!
Good advice. I do much of the same for machining and tig welding job. Your dad's channel is great, he seems to be a good down to earth guy with great experience.
I charge $20 an hr for sidework. I only have a few people I do work for. Sometimes I wish I had more side work and then sometimes I dread doing it lol.
Lol. I’m 16 and do small engine repair as a side job and I agree about wanting more and having too much
Just did a FREE favor for a friend who calls me 2 hrs after getting the vehicle during work hours and blasts me out for taking too long. I bluntly explained how a business works and he will have it back by the end of the day. His wife calls me back to tell me that he was upset and she was mad that they had to wait. I finished the job and they waited until the next day. I guess they really needed the vehicle back. I think they were abusing my friendship. They think I am a jerk!
people are impatient no doubt about that. That's what makes it hard to do favors for people that you think you can trust.
That's sad...Sorry about that
Beggars can't be choosers
I am a ASE certified technician and I provide a mobile mechanic service to the Cincinnati tri-state area I live in and I can say I always make sure I quote every new customer and returning client the same price I give anyone for certain jobs and I always decide my price by difficulty, how much effort goes into getting to the part being replaced which does vary from make, and models and how they were designed but for the most part I charge the same or close to the same price across all makes and models for different jobs but I might charge around $10-30 or even $40 more for certain models because of how difficult that part for that select model is to remove or if the work is more tedious because of design and having to remove extra parts to get to it I will charge more but no matter what no one never pays anything less than my bottom dollar amount I will take to do a job even if it's simple and quick to do I'll still charge someone $100 to do all their breaks and rotors assuming they have disc brakes all around and it take only 30-40mins to change them out on let's say a ford explorer but because your 90s model Honda accord has captive rotors which I think is dumb as fuckkkkkk I would have to charge them more because more is put I to changing them but if you have a Ford expedition and your breaks and rotors changed out and were as easy if not easier than the explorers and took less time as well because I charge a minimum of $100 to do them even without any problems or if they don't take as long your not going to get a special deal because it went so well for me and your vehicle because though it took less time and effort I still feel that the work I've done is worth the number I gave you now if you're a long time client and need time to pay off the rest of what you owe because of whatever reason I will allow you to pay me off at a later time as long as you have a good track record of paying me on time or telling me that you need more time before letting it run out and I have to ask about it because I'll look at that as a sign of distrust and to not give you the same trust and respect I originally gave you because you aren't trying to pay me off or you simply don't care and never planned on it which will make it harder on you next time you need something fixed you won't be getting the whole job completed that day if you're not able to pay the full amount which I make sure of before I scheduled a job but sometimes you get new customers that misunderstood you or they get you out there and fix there vehicle and try to pull the I thought you said this amount was fine after I made sure you knew the price and you have to stand your ground and keep calm in order to avoid some cheap prick from muscling their way to paying less and I always remain respectful and calm so when I tell them they agreed to the amount and it's due they do t try and pull a fast one and say that's all they have then I'll reply and say well that's OK because your vehicle needs this or that before I can finish it so they won't have a running car and I don't end up shorted and when they turn around their stories and say they can ask so and so for the rest as long as I can get their car done that day I'll finish up the job collect my payment and usually won't come back to help them and my family know I do this for a living and that I work for my self so they know I'll typically do their jobs for free or for something in return like a favor or something I can borrow one day or something like that and they don't mind paying me if I do ask for a payment because I give them a payment that's half or 3/4s times cheaper than I charge anyone else
Side hustle half labor of local shops. Mobile work the same labor of local shops.
The ase 609 certificate is easy to get. You get to look at the book while doing the test. I think its also $20 for the test
This. Family buys parts, not labor. If I can fix it and have time to then I will. Friends are case by case and anyone else will either pay me or they'll be picking up a wrench. Great video
Great tips, Dow. I've put an advertisement in the local classified ads, I've handed out business cards and left them at NAPA and other local places and my wife is going to do make vinyl signs to adhere to the rear window and side windows of the extended-cab side windows of the Silverado. I started the side work to towards building up a business for when I can retire from my full-time job and the sooner the better. The mobile work has been more than I anticipated because my intent was to do the work at my house. I've been having my 15 year old son help me at times as well. My charges have been based upon .50/mile to the address by Google Maps and using RepairPal. With RepairPal I insert the year, make, and model of the vehicle and the work I need to do. RepairPal will gives an estimated labor cost based on local shops, e.g. $250-$400 and I generally go by the lowest amount. Sometimes, depending on the simplicity of the job I don't charge anything. For example I was called by an older, black gentleman to find out why his 1967 Buick Electra 225 wouldn't start after he had someone else install a new power brake booster. The problem was the neutral safety switch being unplugged, I just plugged it back in and the car fired right up. I didn't charge for that. Now, he wants me to sort the wiring issue with the rear tail lights (I wish you could see the hot mess the wiring is in, Dow) and check another issue on his older Ford Econoline. So, more work is coming. My goal with the side work was to mainly help people keep their older cars on the road longer, because not everyone like me can afford a brand-new car. When I started this venture I was ridiculed that I'd get all sorts of low-life, free loaders who want something for nothing. Well, not everyone prioritizes their beer and tobacco purchases over their car repair needs and I'm not going to let someone walk over me, I'm fair and reasonable as I can be. I'll help out family members all I can as well. I need to look at a Jeep Liberty owned by the husband of a friend of my wife. I know specifically the dire straits they're in so I'm not going to try and make anything off them. Dow, if you have any tips and advice to share with all you just read you're welcomed to call my cellphone. Let me know and I'll email it to you.
You've got to bleed them before you bleed their brakes. First things first. I suggest using a feeler gauge on their wallet and try to widen the gap between the bills. This can be accomplished by removing the larger ones, tightening and rechecking clearance. Remove bills until all free-play is removed. Don't remove too many or you might burn out their bearings! Always lube them up before final torque(booze works well). Road test MUST include a trip to the bank.
If my tools have to enter my car to go to someone’s house they already owe me $50. I’m charging $50 an hour side work, some people think that’s ridiculous since I’m not a business. Some people understand and pay because they’d rather pay someone who knows what they’re doing to fix their car for $50 an hour rather than take it to a shop and pay $100 plus an hour. Only exception to that is my parents, but even then they have some type of price to pay.
50 an hr is cheap and if people think thats expensive then lol well there broke ass car will stay broken... probably the same kinda folk that goes to a play that doesnt charge a diag ...
I rarely do any side work personally, over the years done a few small things for friends, and I'll work on mom's car on occasion, Outside of work on my free time, the last thing I want to do is work on cars lol, just my opinion, Cheers
Free time and someone wants to buy it from me ... My time is expensive and time is the only thing we can't get back so for someone to take time from my kids so they can save a few bucks I don't think so
Half of the high end labor rate in my area👍🔧 or some Lagers🤘🍺
Ive also done that too... when I really dont want to do somethin. Ill charge a whole lot more than I usually would. One day my neighbor calls me up at 3am tells me he needs me to fix his truck thats broken down at this house. It was 3am I was sleepy and kinda cranky. Just needed an transmission pan gasket... I said $500 and you pay for parts. In my mind that was an going yo be an automatic no... I was in shock when he said "sounds great, I need it done today before 5pm" Bro Ive never in my life have waken so fast...I got up got half way dressed and headed to my 24 hour auto parts store...he called me while I was there and told me to just go ahead and change out the filter and the trans pan. Got everything and got it done within 40ish mins. Didnt have to lift the truck or anything, it was a lifted f350, bitch was so tall that My fatass and a creeper could fit underneath the truck and still have space to spare. Nothing in the way of the pan. A piece of cake. I go and try to start it and battery and alternators are bad... call him up again and tell him. Tells me just to get it done. Got the alternator and 2 brand new batteries (diesel) and slap em on and started right up no issues. I wasnt planning on charging him more for all that. He shows up the next day and handed me a fresh stack of 100s ($1000). In short. I absolutely love Drug dealers lmao I still work on his cars and his family cars. They got about 25 total... I do all the repairs on em.... my most recent job was vaccum hoses on his volvo s40 turbocharger... put a cigarette on his vaccum lines and found all the leaks and fix em. Tells me the dealership wanted $1200 for all that work. Hands me again another cool couple hundred bucks and Im on my way. Always throws an edible or some weed as a tip too. My absolute favorite and best customer
I completely avoid side work. If my family has a simple issue I’ll swing by and check it out otherwise they get the friends and family discount where I work. My parents don’t want or expect me to fix stuff for free. I used to help friends all the time. Got used. Got rid of the friends and solved the problem.
Exactly how I am with my family. Most dont hesitate not to pay😂😂😂 but its cool. Some insist so I just charge the universal $40.
I no longer offer transmission fluid, filter changes after 100k mi. Had two people try to sue me for the issue. Family, I will do work and price it out accordingly. If I can't do it, they'll take it to a shop..
Friends,family including in-laws, or people that are experienced in a trade i find that can be valuable to me no charge. Gotta go that owns his own deer processing in my area, i do his wifes and his vehicles regular matience for free and whatever comes up, free processing for all my wild game every year! Works out pretty good.
With all this shit being on youtube I can't believe people still pay to have their brakes done.
I don't even do my own oil changes I just take it at Valvoline pay 55 bucks and have at it and they top off the rest of fluids to and you can sit in your car and watch them do it
Familly only and no charge!!!
Did side work for years, now I'm picky on the work I do.
For family I ask them how much do they make an hour.
Just dont pee where you sleep...aka...dont let your boss think your doing things at home that the shop could be doing...they dont like that very well...
If your an auto mechanic at work and service small engines at home...that's one thing. Your fixing things for family...great. But...for example if your a diesel tech at work...don't try to run a mobile diesel service from home on nights andweekends...the boss may see that as you steeling business from him/conflict of interest.
Just say'n watch what you do and who you tell what you do😉
I'm in construction.
Know very little about cars and mechanics.
So why am I here
Answer is we are not that different.
Your comment about working for a acquaintance that you really don't want to do the work for so you charge more for your inconvenience is something I always struggled to explain to them
You worded it excellently bro.
I'll be quoting ya 😉
Thanks Brother and your right. Same same but different. lol Cheers!
U bring to me on my time. 40$ an hour plus materials. I come to you it's 75$ an hour from time I leave house till I'm home plus all gas,rods,grinding disc etc. This is for welding and fabrication work
🍺Cheers to those who have their beers🍻 and a pack of smokes for the road🚬🚬🚬
With a mobile, individual guy working from home you still have to pay him for his knowledge.
Cheap prices generally brings really cheap clientele that don't want to turn or replace rotors for example then they'll complain you screwed their brake job. Not worth it IMHO. When I have one of those on the phone the price goes up because I have to deal with them again alwaysbut seems and some even get cocky, play the victim and get cops involved and we don't have time for that drama. They want to pay the high labor rate then ill throw the basic rotors on for free as ill have my costs covered and know it won't be back for brake issues again anytime soon. Always document your work, everything!
Doing mobile work you need access to proper troubleshooting stuff hence Mitchell Shopkey Pro and that's not free to us. Try about $135-$150 per month.
We've got our vehicle to maintain, insurance, vehicle expenses, tools, etc. A mobile auto repair service shouldn't be making any less as that guy still has to know what he's doing and has bills as a shop does, works in all weather, yes even if it's -20 in a blizzard and we still do the work. Not always cushy like in a warm shop with a heated floor.
Would I do it out of my house? Only if city allowed mixed use zoning in residential, if my VA Loan allowed you to run a business out of your house which if you read your VA Loan paperwork carefully and you'll find it's prohibited by law to run a business out of your home on a VA Loan. It's very clearly printed in the loan documents.
Hence this is why one has a mobile service. Regular mechanics hour $60 hr labor plus parts. Diagnostics beyond a code scan $75 per hour and if I have to hook a J-Box up it's $100 + per hour as special battery maintainer is needed and that was around $550 just for the 100 amp battery maintainer. You still need insurance to cover you for this stuff because something goes wrong and people will sue. It's $60 for me to load my stuff up and show up just in town and then a 1hr minimum which includes scanning as I always do a prescan report and save it as proof of issues with vehicle when it came in and a post scan report afterwards as well.
I take photos of any damage on vehicle. All 4 sides as it covers you. Pictures of mileage are taken and all info is saved under 1 file in scan tool. Document, Document, Document is the name of the game just as in a shop. IF you don't and they sue they can cost you a lot of legal expenses and possibly own your tools and then some if you're not protected. Not that hard to report taxes quarterly either as depending on your revenue our state allows you to go monthly, quarterly, etc.
Can same thing I'm a butcher and I got buddies at Hunt and all that and next thing you know they show up and I said hey man can you cut these deer for me and I look back and truck and there's like four deer that have been scanned you know they've been gutted field-dressed but Heaven skin and you know they want me to cut them up for man this is not my man will get you a case of beer okay you know you're talkin about 3 hours work and you know I make good money as a butcher and I don't have my Saws and stuff like that that I have at work and I can't take it to work to do it because it's not inspected it's not inspected meat and you know I do it sometimes cuz they're my friends but it just kind of pisses me off that they want to take advantage of me
My grandmother never pays for anything when I work on her car I'll buy everything for her my mother depending on much the parts are she'll pay for some of them and all other family members pay for parts and slide some cash for labor not much but just to get this broke ass 24 year old some beers
👍
mobile mechanics is a rip off to consumers, better to tow to your trusted mechanic, been there
Is this an assumption based on your part? How is a mobile mechanic that has a business, licensed, insured, skilled to do the job a rip off ? The way I look at it if I do mobile work you're paying me for my knowledge and understanding of what I'm doing. Do you think we just magically learn this stuff?
A tow will cost you couple hundred.