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Author
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Topic: How much to charge an hour?
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-03-2006 11:01 PM
 
A guy I know has a 66 coupe 6cyl car that needs to be finished. The main stuff has been done on the car.
The paint, engine, transmission, and some of the interior have been done.
He said that the bumpers need to be put on, front and rear, the interior needs to be finished. Sounds like the small stuff. I know that the headliners in coupes are not fun, and am hoping that it is already done. He wants me to finish up the car for him.
What would be a reasonable amount to charge the guy per hour?
I am going to go look at it and see just how much needs to be done. Also, the car is about 30 mins away. Thanks ------------------
65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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65darkhorse
Gearhead Posts: 1282
From: east coast
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 10-03-2006 11:32 PM
think you really need to hear from people in your area. I get depressed everytime business takes me out of the NYC metro area - pretty much everything is cheaper anywhere else, and that just bites.
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-04-2006 12:22 AM
I think it depends on how well you know/like the person also. I'll do free stuff for my family/friends, that I would have no problem charging a stranger $25/hr to do. It's time spent outta your life, so, what's it worth to you???  JMHO------------------
William
M&M# 4256
MCA# 64831 68 Coupe
289
C4
3:55's/Trac-Lok
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65darkhorse
Gearhead Posts: 1282
From: east coast
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 10-04-2006 12:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 68 Coop:
no problem charging a stranger $25/hr to do.
William - pack your bags and head east! I'll pay you $25 an hour - after I bill everyone $75 for an hour of your time, lol.
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-04-2006 01:57 AM
That's what all the shops do out here too, but I'm tired of working on other peoples cars, mine gets neglected too much. New York is too crowded and cold for this desert rat now, and the salt is hell on car parts.
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-04-2006 08:06 AM
Some shops charge around $50-$60 around here, but heres the problem - they are pro shops with resources to stand behind their work.
If they burn the car to the ground because they messed up the wiring they have the insurance and the resources to make good.If I didnt know you very well, and I didnt see any qualifications (I know ASE certified doesnt mean much these days) I wouldnt want to pay the professional rates. Id be looking to pay 50-70% of the local professional rates. For me (posing as a customer here) it would all depend on your skills, your tools and your resources. if its cash in hand i'm paying less (because I will assume you wont be telling Mr Tax man). So its kind of a sliding scale depending on how professional you appear.
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-04-2006 01:08 PM
I am ASE certified!
And this guy is not really a good friend, so I was thinking at least $25-35 an hour.------------------
65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-04-2006 01:29 PM
I agree with everything said so far, particularly the note about professional shops. Yeah, shops around here charge $80-100 an hour, but they also have a huge building and numerous employees to maintain.I'm thinking $40-50 would be fair. Your ASE cert is worth something, if the guy doesn't like it, he will likely find shops charging 50-100% more than that, or he can find another buddy willing to do it for less that maybe isn't certified or as experienced. The big question though is, what is your time worth to you? Doesn't necessarily mean what do you already get paid at work. Work is work whether you get paid $10 or $100 an hour. Once you go home, and you're taking time away from the wife, kids, or your own car, what is that time worth?
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sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-04-2006 01:33 PM
BTW, I got a good friend (Navy ETCM) who does mechanic work on the side for friends and people at church, and once word got out he was changing brakes and struts and alternators so much for free that he never had time for anything else. He started charging $25 an hour just for that type stuff and still has work backed up!!
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71RESTO
Gearhead Posts: 1655
From: Oregon, USA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 10-04-2006 03:40 PM
Basically what sig/Sam has said-----you have to gauge how much your time is worth to you. I pretty much decided that when a project presents itself around my house, that my time is worth $25 per hour and would it cost more or less than that to hire a pro (based on my projected hours). Such things as washing my daily driver, off to the car wash with it (too much time out of my day otherwise).
It's also how I approach home remodeling projects for folks I work with (word has leaked out that I am pretty good at this). When someone wants something done, depending on difficulty, it's $25-$30 per hour CASH!!!------------------
Duane
71 Fastback (under resto-351C-4V C6 auto)
M & M Member #730
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 10-04-2006 03:50 PM
I agree with Sam,and Duane and all the others too. 
I too think $25-$30 for an ASE mechanic is a good deal for every one.BTW thats the exact rate a good friend of mine charges people he doesn't really know. He doesn't charge me anything but then again he doesn't do the work either. He'll stop look it over and say "do this that and the other thing,see you later." I just made friends with a guy that lives a few hosue from me. He's a retired Ford Master mechanic. He said he'll show me or help me repair anything,but he won't do it for me. Thats mine kind of offer. 
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oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs HOOD HACKERS DELIGHT!
My Pics 13.563 @ 108.64 [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 10-04-2006).]
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rmousir
Gearhead Posts: 1124
From: Amelia, Ohio
Registered: May 2003
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posted 10-04-2006 05:23 PM
FWIW..I am no expert mechanic by any means. But if asked by a friend or family relative I am willing to lend a hand. I have never asked for money in return, even refused it when they tried to give it to me. I don't do it for the money. With that said, if someone asked me to do something on the side that will take up some serious time commitment and they will expect a profeshional job I would really have to think about it. I would take what I make now profeshionally and consider how much time it takes from my family. That to me is worth a lot.
Richard.
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-04-2006 11:04 PM
Thanks for all of the info guys. I am going to try to go look at the car on Saturday. I am thinking I will tell the guy $30 per hour. Thanks again ------------------
65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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pmhvps
Gearhead Posts: 734
From: Burlington,ON,Canada ,in the heart of the Golden Horseshoe.
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 10-05-2006 12:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by FSTBK65:
Thanks for all of the info guys. I am going to try to go look at the car on Saturday. I am thinking I will tell the guy $30 per hour. Thanks again
Work fast....lol. 
Mike.
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-09-2006 06:24 PM
Just got back from looking at the car.
The main stuff is done.
Heres what needs to be done:
interior
cooling system
carb
front valence
bumpers
parking and reverse lights
headlights
emblems
and some small stuffThe guy has most all of the needed parts, and told me that I could go to the local mustang shop and get whatever I needed. I am going to talk money with him tonight and see what we can come up with.
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65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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BILLY HAAB
Journeyman Posts: 21
From: south bend IN.
Registered: Sep 2005
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posted 10-10-2006 08:56 PM
sounds like bolt on stuff.........be nice & take beer & cab.............LOL
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-11-2006 04:57 PM
He offered me $1,000 to finish it for him.
He is working on lining up a garage for me to work on it in. ------------------
65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-11-2006 05:14 PM
Sounds like a good deal to me. Hardest part of the job sounds like it will be the interior.------------------
William
M&M# 4256
MCA# 64831 68 Coupe
289
C4
3:55's/Trac-Lok It might not be pretty, but it's paid for.
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-11-2006 09:04 PM
I am going to start on Monday. Hopefully this thing will not take me too long to finish.
I am planning on making a detailed plan of action so that I can get this thing done as efficiently as possible. ------------------
65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-16-2006 10:01 PM
The car is coming along.
Today I installed:
parking lights
new sunvisors
new rv mirror
carpet
new kickpanels
new sill plates
new parking brake handle
new parking lights
sway bar
water outlet valve cover
repainted the motor
new window regulator I know this is a lot of stuff, but I worked ALL day! Things left to do:
carb, rad and heater hoses, inst cluster, seat belts, seats, bumpers, bumper guards, console, rocker chromes, steering wheel
and then get it ready to pass inspection I'll post some pics soon ------------------
65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-16-2006 10:29 PM
That's quite a bit done in one day. How big of a fight did the carpet put up? I have some, but heard it's best to do it when it's hot outside, it works better. Any truth to this, or was it easy out of the box? Good job by the way.
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68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 3835
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-17-2006 08:00 PM
I wish I could have some good days like that!
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FSTBK65
Gearhead Posts: 483
From: Salem, Virginia 24153
Registered: May 2004
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posted 10-18-2006 11:05 PM
Carpet isn't too hard to do. I spread it out in the car and left it for a day so that it would kinda fit the car. I started up front and pulled it all the way up. Then put in the kick panels and trim as much as you need to. Then the sill plates, and keep trimming. You'll get the hang of it. Its not too hard. Another productive night!
Rear seat divider
seat belts front and rear
package tray
side interior panels
quarter window handles
rear seat
carb and spacer
radiator hoses
bumper frame mounts
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65 fastback. 302, Paxton Supercharger 7PSI, Edelbrock heads and intake,flowtechs with cutouts, x pipe and 2.5in flows. 4 speed. 449rwhp and 410ft lbs through the mufflers on 93 octane. 8.01 @ 87.72 mph 1/8 mi, 1.78 60ft. (new times coming soon...)
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 10-18-2006 11:32 PM
Thanks.
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