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View Full Version : Opinions on hours charged for repairs



Jtrip
01-19-2018, 02:48 PM
Just looking for opinions on the total hours charged on work recently done on my Marauder.

Timing chain guide kit installed.
Oil pump replaced.
Thermostat replaced.


15 hours. I thought I was keeping costs down by having the oil pump and thermostat relaced while he was in there. Never would have guessed 15 hours.

Opinions?

Oh yea, $1350 in labor.

ByronRACE
01-19-2018, 03:25 PM
Price seems cheap for bay area prices. Hour estimate seems high, however, and given the labor cost I would have expected a recommendation to replace other wear parts unless the chain was new and the guides were worn; which seems unlikely.

Jtrip
01-19-2018, 03:35 PM
Price seems cheap for bay area prices. Hour estimate seems high, however, and given the labor cost I would have expected a recommendation to replace other wear parts unless the chain was new and the guides were worn; which seems unlikely.

Everything was changed out. Guides actually weren't that bad. Went in for a timing chain oil leak and I requested all the repairs. Just was surprised at 15 hours. Thanks.

Turbov6Bryan
01-19-2018, 04:41 PM
t town is where? I dont understand why folks dont put a area up top?

You got hosed on labor lol.

A tube of the right stuff could have sealed it up j/k ;)

Jtrip
01-19-2018, 04:45 PM
t town is where? I dont understand why folks dont put a area up top?

You got hosed on labor lol.

A tube of the right stuff could have sealed it up j/k ;)

I'm in North Florida. To fix an oil leak....yes I got hosed but he did much more than that.

Turbov6Bryan
01-19-2018, 04:49 PM
I'm in North Florida. To fix an oil leak....yes I got hosed but he did much more than that.

You could have flown ZACK in to do it for about the same? IDK.

At least its fixed correctly.

justbob
01-19-2018, 06:10 PM
Like it or not most all shops including myself when I did it charge book time.


Timing chains - 6.7
Oil pan - 6.6
Thermostat - .9

Total = 14.2 plus a little extra to R&R oil pump.

Ford doesn’t actually give a book time on the oil pump, It just refers you to basically a new engine..

Sounds about right on hours to me.


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Jtrip
01-19-2018, 06:29 PM
Like it or not most all shops including myself when I did it charge book time.


Timing chains - 6.7
Oil pan - 6.6
Thermostat - .9

Total = 14.2 plus a little extra to R&R oil pump.

Ford doesn’t actually give a book time on the oil pump, It just refers you to basically a new engine..

Sounds about right on hours


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Thanks!!!!

lifespeed
01-21-2018, 10:27 PM
Sounds like a reasonable price to me, so long as they did all the work correctly. The new timing kit should server you well, the plastic hydraulic tensioners are a weak link in these cars.

1Marauder
01-27-2018, 09:55 AM
Hours seem about right... I agree they could probably have "shaved off a few" hours if billed true hours vs. book hours.

This said...

It's fixed!

It's done!

Have some fun!

sailsmen
01-27-2018, 10:36 AM
What is your time worth?

I quit doing most repairs when my time became worth more than what I was paying to have it repaired.

Spectragod
01-27-2018, 02:37 PM
Like it or not most all shops including myself when I did it charge book time.


Timing chains - 6.7
Oil pan - 6.6
Thermostat - .9

Total = 14.2 plus a little extra to R&R oil pump.

Ford doesn’t actually give a book time on the oil pump, It just refers you to basically a new engine..

Sounds about right on hours to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It can be done without dropping the pan, but it is a little fiddly.

8UWITH6
01-28-2018, 10:31 AM
Hours are fair. You gotta pay if you are unable to do it yourself. Sorry bubs they are spot on.

justbob
01-28-2018, 01:44 PM
It can be done without dropping the pan, but it is a little fiddly.



Maybe true, but won’t affect book time charged. Just a little more for the technicians pocket.


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Spectragod
01-28-2018, 04:02 PM
Maybe true, but won’t affect book time charged. Just a little more for the technicians pocket.


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^^^^very true^^^^

Curless
01-29-2018, 09:18 AM
Time is spot on, if the work was done correctly, with no issues where is the problem with the price??? **** ain't cheap, the tools aren't free, good technicians are worth their weight in gold...

Jtrip
01-29-2018, 04:36 PM
Time is spot on, if the work was done correctly, with no issues where is the problem with the price??? **** ain't cheap, the tools aren't free, good technicians are worth their weight in gold...

So no labor was saved on their part for having everything off for the cam chain guide replacement to also install an oil pump while in there? I'm asking because I don't know...So I was charged for two separate jobs when there was maybe only half the disassebly labor on one?

I didn't expect anything for free. Was just hoping to be given a break of some sort. I'm going to try somewhere else for the gear swap. Was quoted six hours off the top of his head. Not sure that is good or bad but sounds high to me.

Curless
01-30-2018, 08:54 AM
So no labor was saved on their part for having everything off for the cam chain guide replacement to also install an oil pump while in there? I'm asking because I don't know...So I was charged for two separate jobs when there was maybe only half the disassebly labor on one?

I didn't expect anything for free. Was just hoping to be given a break of some sort. I'm going to try somewhere else for the gear swap. Was quoted six hours off the top of his head. Not sure that is good or bad but sounds high to me.


You need to think about this differently... do want a quality job done or a cheap job... if the work was done perfectly and you agreed to the price, why are you second guessing it later? 6 Hours for a gear swap is cheap if you ask me. We charge $90 an hour, so that's $540... to disassemble, clean, and inspect the entire rear end, change all of the bearings, re set back lash and side bearing preload, then re program... You can easily spend several hours cleaning out the axle tubes especially if there was a bad axle bearing.

I'm not trying to be harsh but I get tired of reading "where can I get this done cheaper" Do people ask this about their Dr's??? Do they ask this about lawyers??? Do you go out to eat and ask if the restaurant will serve the same steak at a cheaper price??? Why is it mechanics are the ones who need to do our jobs cheaper? :bs:

NorthShoreChiMM
01-30-2018, 01:19 PM
You need to think about this differently... do want a quality job done or a cheap job... if the work was done perfectly and you agreed to the price, why are you second guessing it later? 6 Hours for a gear swap is cheap if you ask me. We charge $90 an hour, so that's $540... to disassemble, clean, and inspect the entire rear end, change all of the bearings, re set back lash and side bearing preload, then re program... You can easily spend several hours cleaning out the axle tubes especially if there was a bad axle bearing.

I'm not trying to be harsh but I get tired of reading "where can I get this done cheaper" Do people ask this about their Dr's??? Do they ask this about lawyers??? Do you go out to eat and ask if the restaurant will serve the same steak at a cheaper price??? Why is it mechanics are the ones who need to do our jobs cheaper? :bs:

Its because people don't understand the work it requires to do that job, everybody knows what it takes to cook a steak, but not everybody can cook one, but they know the process

Jtrip
01-30-2018, 04:26 PM
You need to think about this differently... do want a quality job done or a cheap job... if the work was done perfectly and you agreed to the price, why are you second guessing it later? 6 Hours for a gear swap is cheap if you ask me. We charge $90 an hour, so that's $540... to disassemble, clean, and inspect the entire rear end, change all of the bearings, re set back lash and side bearing preload, then re program... You can easily spend several hours cleaning out the axle tubes especially if there was a bad axle bearing.

I'm not trying to be harsh but I get tired of reading "where can I get this done cheaper" Do people ask this about their Dr's??? Do they ask this about lawyers??? Do you go out to eat and ask if the restaurant will serve the same steak at a cheaper price??? Why is it mechanics are the ones who need to do our jobs cheaper? :bs:

I want a quality job at a fair price. The work was done great as far as I can tell but I was never really quoted a price on the oil pump replacement. I will say that while he was in there changing the guides I asked him to change the oil pump and replace the thermostat. Didn't think I would be charged for three separate jobs. I believe he definitely made out on this one.

I just want a mechanic that shoots straight and I can trust. If he saved me two hours on the labor and explained this to me he would have a customer for life. If you want to bill me what that "book" says, which obviously leans the mechanics way, so be it.

Comparing auto mechanics to doctors and lawyers is ridiculous. Not even close. Maybe another trade like an electrician or a plumber but not a doctor or lawyer, sorry. With the last plumber I hired he charged me for the time he was here performing work. Pretty sure he didn't consult a "book".

I digress. I'm not trying to be a dick. Just trying to give you a consumers point of view. Guess who I'm calling for my next plumbing repair? Guess where I'm going for my next auto repair?? Going to look for one that I feel is honest and has me and my car in his best interest.

Curless
01-30-2018, 07:05 PM
I want a quality job at a fair price. The work was done great as far as I can tell but I was never really quoted a price on the oil pump replacement. I will say that while he was in there changing the guides I asked him to change the oil pump and replace the thermostat. Didn't think I would be charged for three separate jobs. I believe he definitely made out on this one.

I just want a mechanic that shoots straight and I can trust. If he saved me two hours on the labor and explained this to me he would have a customer for life. If you want to bill me what that "book" says, which obviously leans the mechanics way, so be it.

Comparing auto mechanics to doctors and lawyers is ridiculous. Not even close. Maybe another trade like an electrician or a plumber but not a doctor or lawyer, sorry. With the last plumber I hired he charged me for the time he was here performing work. Pretty sure he didn't consult a "book".

I digress. I'm not trying to be a dick. Just trying to give you a consumers point of view. Guess who I'm calling for my next plumbing repair? Guess where I'm going for my next auto repair?? Going to look for one that I feel is honest and has me and my car in his best interest.

Why are you saying he did not shoot you straight? Did he charge you for something he did not do? Why are you saying he was dishonest? Did he quote you one amount and then charge you another? Did he sell you something you did not ask for? What was not quality work that was done? You state that you asked him to do more work while your car was being serviced, but you did not get a quote... did you ask for one? Did he tell you it would not cost more to do what you were asking? You state that the work was done great... but you don't want to pay for it all...

So are you saying that a mechanic and a lawyer are not as smart or as important as each other? What about a Lawyer that is a mechanic as well? (Marty) Comparing them is absolutely not ridiculous at all. It's funny to me how the general public feels that it is o.k. for a veteran Dr. or lawyer to charge two or three times what a beginner charges due to experience but when it comes to a mechanic or plumber they feel we should discount our rates because we are so seasoned...

You see, my wife is a young lawyer, Marty O is a seasoned lawyer I can guarantee that they feel the same way I do. Oh, and plumbers we have Justbob for that, I'm sure he'll chime in if you like. You are asking a guy to discount his work for no reason. You have no history of frequenting his shop, no history of being a client who has earned above and beyond work at a discounted rate. The book time is there as a guide, it is not a rule... have any idea how many times a mechanic takes it in the short hairs on his paycheck due to the book?

By what you are saying, a first year tech that bids a job at 4 hours by the book, and the job takes him 8 hours should eat the 4 hours correct? I mean it's not your fault he can't do it in the correct amount of time right? But the 20 year tech, that bids the same job at 4 hours, and then kills it by doing it in 2 should give up the pay he has earned with 20 years experience? Hmm... :bs:

justbob
01-31-2018, 03:29 PM
Why are you saying he did not shoot you straight? Did he charge you for something he did not do? Why are you saying he was dishonest? Did he quote you one amount and then charge you another? Did he sell you something you did not ask for? What was not quality work that was done? You state that you asked him to do more work while your car was being serviced, but you did not get a quote... did you ask for one? Did he tell you it would not cost more to do what you were asking? You state that the work was done great... but you don't want to pay for it all...

So are you saying that a mechanic and a lawyer are not as smart or as important as each other? What about a Lawyer that is a mechanic as well? (Marty) Comparing them is absolutely not ridiculous at all. It's funny to me how the general public feels that it is o.k. for a veteran Dr. or lawyer to charge two or three times what a beginner charges due to experience but when it comes to a mechanic or plumber they feel we should discount our rates because we are so seasoned...

You see, my wife is a young lawyer, Marty O is a seasoned lawyer I can guarantee that they feel the same way I do. Oh, and plumbers we have Justbob for that, I'm sure he'll chime in if you like. You are asking a guy to discount his work for no reason. You have no history of frequenting his shop, no history of being a client who has earned above and beyond work at a discounted rate. The book time is there as a guide, it is not a rule... have any idea how many times a mechanic takes it in the short hairs on his paycheck due to the book?

By what you are saying, a first year tech that bids a job at 4 hours by the book, and the job takes him 8 hours should eat the 4 hours correct? I mean it's not your fault he can't do it in the correct amount of time right? But the 20 year tech, that bids the same job at 4 hours, and then kills it by doing it in 2 should give up the pay he has earned with 20 years experience? Hmm... :bs:



My only comment is that I have met some seriously DUMB doctors in my life..

The “book” is to keep things on an even play ground for you the customer. It is a GOOD thing, for you. When I wrenched, I can tell you it quite frankly sucked. There is very little meat left on the bone assuming you know what your doing, if not, your out plain and simple.

As a plumber we have to submit bids and stick to it. You the customer are relying on an estimator to bid it and with that comes bidding the unknown, so yes, bids are a tad high, but low enough to find work. As with all trades, you would save a LOT of money just paying an hourly rate, assuming your dealing with a professional. In today’s world of cameras everywhere you’d be a fool to gouge a client in any field!

How about big bad unions and their ridiculous rates? All non union trades know exactly what we charge and come in literally $1,000 less on $90,000 jobs! Their employees (the ones in your home..) get crap wages and no benefits. Add that to no five year apprenticeship schooling.. The difference in efficiency, quality of work, and professionalism is staggering to say the least. Yeah, but we’re bad because of some bad apples over 40 years ago. For us it is no difference from being in the military and constantly reminded that we are paid by the minute and there is plenty of replacements.

Moral of my speech, find people you trust and stick with them. Don’t base every decision off every receipt. Or figure it out for yourself.. With YouTube everyone’s a professional! [emoji1303]


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lji372
01-31-2018, 03:48 PM
car is so old at this point the hourly rate should drop to... i'd say about $8.00 an hour :eek:

Curless
01-31-2018, 04:12 PM
car is so old at this point the hourly rate should drop to... i'd say about $8.00 an hour :eek:


Or screw it, sell it to your kid and let him total it :eek: Too soon???:rofl::neener::run:

lifespeed
01-31-2018, 04:15 PM
As these cars grow older the percentage of people who bought them as cool, but cheap, cars grows. As does the whining over routine maintenance costs. I paid $20K for mine, and I know some of you here bought yours new.

These cars are as cheap as it gets for maintenance. Domestic car parts pricing and a reasonable pool of mechanics skilled or familiar with the type. Yet still they complain . . .

lji372
01-31-2018, 06:25 PM
Or screw it, sell it to your kid and let him total it :eek: Too soon???:rofl::neener::run:

Never too soon. :beer:

8UWITH6
02-01-2018, 10:15 AM
Just go back and complain if you feel so strongly about the labor time......... :violin:

Otherwise accept the flawless repairs on your vehicle and move on.

sailsmen
02-01-2018, 11:25 AM
You can pay an hourly rate. You can also pay a book rate.

You can also pay an hourly for one job and book for another.

I can not recall ever being charged more for a job then I thought I should. If I ever was it's the person in the mirrors fault.

Drs? I went to 7 top Drs who said I should have major surgery. The 8th Dr said do NOTHING, yes I was miss diagnosed.

Lawyers? I work with them. Less than 5% are tops and most importantly look after their client's best interest.

Unions? Some are good and some are horrible.

Same with my colleagues. Some are good and some are horrible. Only a few are tops.

The person responsible is YOU!

1Marauder
02-02-2018, 09:41 PM
I guess I will bravely say... "If you already paid the invoice... And the work was done well... And you are happy with the outcome... And you were charged the standard book rate...

WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING PICKING AT IT?

97% OF THE RESPONSES, PLUS MARAUDER AND MECHANIC EXPERTS HAVE GREEN LIGHTED/APPROVED YOUR SPEND.

YOU SHOULD HAVE NO BUYERS REMORSE.

Feel the love and validation of your repairs, and let's move onward!

Jtrip
02-03-2018, 08:48 AM
I guess I will bravely say... "If you already paid the invoice... And the work was done well... And you are happy with the outcome... And you were charged the standard book rate...

WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING PICKING AT IT?

97% OF THE RESPONSES, PLUS MARAUDER AND MECHANIC EXPERTS HAVE GREEN LIGHTED/APPROVED YOUR SPEND.

YOU SHOULD HAVE NO BUYERS REMORSE.

Feel the love and validation of your repairs, and let's move onward!

Was just asking for opinions and boy did I get them. Thought it was a little high but apparently not. If it was I'd probably try somewhere else next time.:wflag:

lifespeed
02-03-2018, 03:52 PM
Was just asking for opinions and boy did I get them. Thought it was a little high but apparently not. If it was I'd probably try somewhere else next time.:wflag:

Look on the bright side, you took care of the one major weakness these engines have - bad tensioners. These are often 200K mile engines after the fixes your hired gun applied. :)