Sticker shock
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,542
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Sticker shock
It has been 30 years since I had to pay a shop to work on any vehicle. We took my wife's 2000 Mazda Protege with 48,000 miles in to get 2 (original equipment) tires and an inspection.
The inspector found the exhaust pipe gasket was bad (2 frozen nuts) and a blown license plate bulb. No problem before I became paraplegic. The gasket cost $26 parts plus $98 labor; the bulb they didn't charge for but labor was $28!
Got me thinking just how much money I have saved over the years. I have always done all of my car work and almost all of house repair/improvement. Now I can't change a light bulb.
The inspector found the exhaust pipe gasket was bad (2 frozen nuts) and a blown license plate bulb. No problem before I became paraplegic. The gasket cost $26 parts plus $98 labor; the bulb they didn't charge for but labor was $28!
Got me thinking just how much money I have saved over the years. I have always done all of my car work and almost all of house repair/improvement. Now I can't change a light bulb.
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,097
From: Welland,Ont Canada
It’s crazy out there, hourly shop rates are more than the custom fab shop rate , I used to charge , 35 years ago. But then again , the pizza delivery guy is getting $15.00 per hour plus tips! Everything is more expensive, everywhere.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
I feel for you Don. If you lived closer I would be glad to help you out.
Recently had to have some plumbing vent caps replaced on my roof. Had to hire a roofing contractor. I used to do this kind of repair work myself but the wife said "NO" to me getting on the roof.( medical reasons)
I could have done the work myself for less than $100. The bill was $450 for the contractor.
Recently had to have some plumbing vent caps replaced on my roof. Had to hire a roofing contractor. I used to do this kind of repair work myself but the wife said "NO" to me getting on the roof.( medical reasons)
I could have done the work myself for less than $100. The bill was $450 for the contractor.
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,542
From: Fredericksburg,VA
They only charged 0.7 hours for drilling and replacing the 2 bolts, flat rate for R&R muffler. My flat rate book says 0.3 for the bulb, so they may have given me a "break". My wife played the "poor little old lady on SS" card.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-26-2008
Posts: 1,488
From: Sequim Washington
I feel for you Don. If you lived closer I would be glad to help you out.
Recently had to have some plumbing vent caps replaced on my roof. Had to hire a roofing contractor. I used to do this kind of repair work myself but the wife said "NO" to me getting on the roof.( medical reasons)
I could have done the work myself for less than $100. The bill was $450 for the contractor.
Recently had to have some plumbing vent caps replaced on my roof. Had to hire a roofing contractor. I used to do this kind of repair work myself but the wife said "NO" to me getting on the roof.( medical reasons)
I could have done the work myself for less than $100. The bill was $450 for the contractor.
The home repairs usually go by bids so if you only get one bid you will never know if it could be cheaper.
The main thing is can you get a really good job done.
When I do things myself I take my time and cut NO CORNERS.
I guess I am worth TOP DOLLAR ????
Silverfox
Senior Member
Joined: 08-03-2010
Posts: 3,564
From: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
I use to do Cat side job repairs and my rate was $45 an hour.
Shop rate was $90 at the time. People where knocking on my door.
The best was rebuilding injection pumps.
If you would like to get an idea of prices then and now use this :
https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/
Shop rate was $90 at the time. People where knocking on my door.
The best was rebuilding injection pumps.
If you would like to get an idea of prices then and now use this :
https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/
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