Shop Rate??

[HarrisonTX]

I changed the two speed electric fan, and front struts on an '01 PT cruiser tonight. This woman is not a family friend, and I am doing it strictly for business, not as a favor, and I bought the parts.

There is $290 in parts. Plus, she has some windshield wipers (3 total that she bought) she wants installed, and a new air cleaner to replace her (clean) air filter.

She said shops quoted her $1000 for struts and the fan. What would be a decent shade tree price? I'm thinking an even $600. $300 in parts+$300 in labor.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

600-650 at least. Never undervalue your work. I myself would shoot for $650

[HarrisonTX]

600-650 at least. Never undervalue your work. I myself would shoot for $650

Hell, I was thinking $600, and if she bitched I'd take $550 (and be damn happy).
Although, I'm sure she'll be please with 60% of what a shop wanted.

thanks for the reassurance

[HarrisonTX]

Happily paid. Damn I'm glad I work on my own shit

[Jimbo]

I used to do 50-60% of dealership labor costs when I did side work regularly. I would say that is plenty fair.

[HarrisonTX]

I used to do 50-60% of dealership labor costs when I did side work regularly. I would say that is plenty fair.

Well whats dealership labor? some quick googling maybe 80-$100 an hour?

[582nova]

I normal charge $50 a hour on all my work I do at the house. Brake jobs $40 just slap pads and $65 for drums. Or I will call like pep boys or a place like them and beat there price by about $100.

[Jimbo]

Well whats dealership labor? some quick googling maybe 80-$100 an hour?

I did not usually charge my hour versus their hour, because I worked without a lift or some specialty tools that sometimes lengthened the time I took. I would usually call around and got quotes for the type of job needed. I would side on flag hour cost over actual time spent.

[JimD]

I charge $50 hour for side work, Plus use shop discount on parts & charge walk in price so make a few there also. If thats not good enough for them, they can carry that shit somewhere else, i got plenty of work if i want it.

[turbostang]

I normal charge $50 a hour on all my work I do at the house. Brake jobs $40 just slap pads and $65 for drums. Or I will call like pep boys or a place like them and beat there price by about $100.

Same here. If someone complains, I've been known to tell them to call around and see what it costs outside of my place. I can't recall them ever leaving.

I charge $50 hour for side work, Plus use shop discount on parts & charge walk in price so make a few there also. If thats not good enough for them, they can carry that shit somewhere else, i got plenty of work if i want it.

See above, I agree 100%. They've brought it to you (us) for a reason, which is one of two things - Either it's cheaper, or they like your work better.

Personally, if I can't make what I make at work in OT, I normally don't jack with it.

[HarrisonTX]

Just got the dreaded "Something's not right" call.

She says the fan is making an ear piercing high pitched noise. Guess that brand new fan is going out. Good thing orielly's will warranty it. I told her to bring it by tonight and I'd swap them out. I told her to call me when she was 5 minutes away so I could open up the shop. She called and said "2 minutes away". Took her 30 after that 2 minutes.


Update- She just pulled up, and the car isnt making a fucking noise, although it does smell hot. The fan was working when she drove away two days ago. Maybe just the high speed is fucked? Jesus. Looks like I get to swap fans again tonight. Should only take an hour minus driving.

I don't feel right about charging her, but this will the last time i touch the car for free.

DFWM. what do I do if she calls in two more days saying the same thing?

[CYAZ06]

Just got the dreaded "Something's not right" call.

She says the fan is making an ear piercing high pitched noise. Guess that brand new fan is going out. Good thing orielly's will warranty it. I told her to bring it by tonight and I'd swap them out. I told her to call me when she was 5 minutes away so I could open up the shop. She called and said "2 minutes away". Took her 30 after that 2 minutes.


Update- She just pulled up, and the car isnt making a fucking noise, although it does smell hot. The fan was working when she drove away two days ago. Maybe just the high speed is fucked? Jesus. Looks like I get to swap fans again tonight. Should only take an hour minus driving.

I don't feel right about charging her, but this will the last time i touch the car for free.

DFWM. what do I do if she calls in two more days saying the same thing?

You know how it is.....it always works fine when tech support is there to diagnose it.

Bottom line is that electric fans aren't rocket science. I am sure you did it right. Most likely something else (or you can only hope). It is tough to answer this question, when it doesn't happen in front of you.

Double check everything as advertised. Take it for a drive and get it warm so you can diagnose it for yourself. Don't take her word for it. Pinpoint the issue yourself to:

1. Find out the REAL issue
2. Take any finger pointing out of the game

At least then, you will know what you are working with.

Welcome to the world of "service work"

[HarrisonTX]

You know how it is.....it always works fine when tech support is there to diagnose it.

Bottom line is that electric fans aren't rocket science. I am sure you did it right. Most likely something else (or you can only help). It is tough to answer this question, when it doesn't happen in front of you.

Double check everything as advertised. Take it for a drive and get it warm so you can diagnose it for yourself. Don't take here word for it. Pinpoint the issue yourself to:

1. Find out the REAL issue
2. Take any finger pointing out of the game

At least then, you will know what you are working with.

Welcome to the world of "service work"

Pulled the fan and it fucken hammered. Absolutely trashed in two days. It wobbles horribly. Its a VDO brand from orielly's.
Good news is, it didnt kill her radiator.
Better news, from running car, to fan out in 15 minutes.

[CYAZ06]

Sweet. Defective part. Well....not "sweet" that you had to do it twice, but that it wasnt an install issue. Rock on.

[HarrisonTX]

Sweet. Defective part. Well....not "sweet" that you had to do it twice, but that it wasnt an install issue. Rock on.

Hell yea. I just finished up. 15 minutes to pull, 30 minutes to push. Probably 20 minutes to hear this dike gab when she picks it up. I didn't have much going on anyways.