Price Check For Mechanic Work

[Travis_R]

What do you guys think is a fair price for a tractor mechanic to come to my house and work on my tractor?

Here is the info:

-He's about 1 hour and 45 minutes away (roughly 103 miles).
-He will be rebuilding the power steering pump and re-packing one of the steering cylinders.
-He'll be picking up the parts.

What would be considered a fair price for his driving time and labor (not including parts)?

I've never met the guy, just seen his ad and called.

 

[jeff9366]

My local Kubota dealer bills mechanic's time at $70 per hour.

 

[4570Man]

It'll be rough. I wouldn't be surprised if he charges mileage on a trip that distance on top of his hourly rate. You'd be way better off to pull the parts yourself or find someone closer. The local dealership charges like $75 an hour for in shop work. What price did he tell you when you called?

 

[Rock knocker]

I think you could be close to a grand with parts, four hours of driving, fuel and five hours of work.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Be glad you do not live on the west coast close to urban areas. $125/hr both working and traveling plus a mileage rate. Construction equipment is $175/hr. Great incentive to do your own work like I do.

Ron

 

[Turbys_1700]

Travel: $200 (200 miles @ $1.00 per mile)
Repair Time: $400 ( 4 hours at $100 per hour)
Parts: $500 (pure guess)
Total estimate: $1100
This is a pure guestimation on my part. I have no idea how much it is going to cost. Let us know the outcome. I am curious.

 

[bspeedy]

The four hours and 200 miles of driving are going to kill you price-wise. You could probably buy a new pump and cylinder and install yourself for the same price.

Or, have the cylinder rebuilt at a local hydraulics shop and buy a new pump.

I also think you are in the $1K ballpark.

Just checked on-line - PS pump is 180 bucks. Cylinder rebuild is going to cost you a hundred or so for parts and labor at a local shop. This would be a fraction of the price you will pay for a turn-key job.

The problem comes when he picks up parts and finds something else that is in need of repair - power steering lines, etc. Then what? Have him go for parts? Come back again at full mileage / time charge? Leave it half done? If you are physically able, it is wise to learn to do these things yourself. If not, find a local guy.

Good luck.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

If all you can get from a repair shop is the labor/hr then you are most likely getting screwed imao. The best method to accurately compare prices between shops is to get a total quote on the whole repair. Tell them you don't care if they are $70/hr or $150/hr just give me a quote on the job... 1 figure only. Only quoting the labor rate not combined with total amount of hours needed is a terribly dishonest practice mastered by many a repair shop to advertise a "lower rate" than their competitors.

 

[TheMan419]

I would charge my normal hourly rate for travel. Is there a compelling reason to use someone so far away? Someone local even if more costly per hour will be cheaper.

 

[Danger18]

Full day's pay.

 

[Travis_R]

The fool never contacted me back. I gave him all the info he needed & could have had the job. Hate when people post ads looking for work then don't get back with you. His loss.

 

[bigtiller]

Maybe the mileage thing gave him second thoughts. It does seam odd for the need to hire a mechanic that is 103 miles away.

 

[Travis_R]

I was looking for somebody to fix my tractor and I found his ad. I told him how far away it was and he said he didn't have a problem with that. He knew where I was located. Then I gave him all the information he asked for. I waited on him to call back and never did. That is what pis*ed me off. If he didn't want the job he should have at least contacted me and not left me hanging. He also could have simply sent a text if he wanted.
Since then I have found somebody locally. So I guess it's a win win situation for both of us.
Hopefully that new seal kit will fix the problem with the steering. We will see this week.

 

[RickB]

If all you can get from a repair shop is the labor/hr then you are most likely getting screwed imao. The best method to accurately compare prices between shops is to get a total quote on the whole repair. Tell them you don't care if they are $70/hr or $150/hr just give me a quote on the job... 1 figure only. Only quoting the labor rate not combined with total amount of hours needed is a terribly dishonest practice mastered by many a repair shop to advertise a "lower rate" than their competitors.

That's great. Except most shops don't quote jobs like that unless it is at the worst case for time. And they won't care if you don't like it.

 

[RickB]

I would charge my normal hourly rate for travel. Is there a compelling reason to use someone so far away? Someone local even if more costly per hour will be cheaper.

You have to charge the normal labor rate for travel. You gave up work at that rate for windshield time. It's called opportunity cost.

Wouldn't surprise me if the repair guy picked up something in the conversation that turned him off. I'd be suspicious of somebody calling me from 100 miles away to do something that (presumably) somebody closer could do if they wanted to work for the guy. We get one side of the story; complete with name calling. Sometimes the best deals made are the ones you don't.

 

[Travis_R]

You have to charge the normal labor rate for travel. You gave up work at that rate for windshield time. It's called opportunity cost.

Wouldn't surprise me if the repair guy picked up something in the conversation that turned him off. I'd be suspicious of somebody calling me from 100 miles away to do something that (presumably) somebody closer could do if they wanted to work for the guy. We get one side of the story; complete with name calling. Sometimes the best deals made are the ones you don't.

I most definitely would have someone locally do any mechanic work, or any other work. BUT. I do not know anybody who rebuilds power steering pumps. Just happened to find a local shade tree mechanic who will do it. And I know he will be able to.

The fellow that was miles away had an ad on craigslist in MY AREA, knowing where he was located. I think he was just somebody who does this as a side job/hobby or something. Not actually in business to do it.
Regardless, he should have contacted me back. I will not use him nor will I recommend him because of this.
Hey, can you blame me?

 

[N80]

I have no patience for people who advertise their services and won't get back with me on estimates or followups. No problem if they don't want the job. No problem if their rates are too high for me. Just don't tell me you want the job or want to give an estimate and then fail to get back with me or return calls. A simple "I don't want the job" or "I don't have time for the job" will be fine. But, when a contractor, etc blows me off and doesn't follow up he will get bad reviews from me every time and at every opportunity.