Fair Charges?

[NO0C]

I worked on my neighbor gal’s walk behind Toro the other day (Spring get-ready/tune-up). Having no flat rate guides, was 3 hours of labor a fair charge?

Alternatively, what would you charge in your shop for these services (labor $ only)?

Here’s the scoop.

Toro Model 20073 - S/N 270067949 - 2007 model
Tecumseh LV195XA, Spec-362089E, DOM 07061GA1366

• Pressure wash mower complete
• Sharpen blade
• Change oil - 20 oz. (was on add line)
• Replace spark plug
• Clean air filter - Very Dirty
• Remove & lube all wheels & height of cut adjusters
• Remove, clean & lube drive pinions, keys & springs
• Remove carburetor float bowl & inspect - clean
• Clean carburetor high speed jet bowl nut
• Remove engine shroud & blower housing - blow out debris - check magneto gap
• Remove, drain, wash out & reinstall fuel tank
• Fill with fresh gasoline
• Start, run & adjust traction control cable
• Set height of cut to mow at 2-3/4"
• Note: mower was set at 2-3/4" rear & 2" front
• Reinstall traction control cable guide in lower handle
• Lubricate upper personal-pace control handle
• Install spring & pivot rod correctly in discharge door

I charged her for the plug, oil and gasoline ($4.50 total)

Thanks for your input.

[bgsengine]

wow.. 3 hours labor @ $65/hour (or more) - can buy a new mower (at wal-mart) for that..

We do flat rate pricing regardless of labor time - your basic tune up (Excepting the wheels and drive work) would run $45 plus parts here - additional work like the drive system repairs or etc are billed out at shop rate , and if it does not come up in our flat rate labor guide, generally it is actual time spent on JUST that particular work. we'd not go to such great lengths as you seem to have, unless the customer specifically noted issues when they bring it in (they are always asked if they had any issues of any sort during the prior season - I.E. vibrations, intermittent issues, etc.) -Case in point just this morning had one come in and the owner was like "Oh yes, by the way, it DOES sometimes shut off if you don't hold the bail lever all the way down - cable seems loose"

so while unloading it, I pointed out to him that the Zone Restart bracket (Tecumseh engine) was bent, causing the loose cable issue. - a simple fix.

[KE4AVB]

One the reason it don't pay fix used walk behind. Takes a half day to fix everything and then barely even paid for the parts and an hour worth of labor. I only fix what is needed; unless, the customer want extras done and is willing to pay for it. What you charge also got be with line with the local shops as you can't get as much for walk behinds work as riders and they are usually more banged up too. It one of the reasons I am started working on ATVs and UTVs; definetly more money in their repairs.

Even at my rate of 39.42 inc tax (yes Tennessee charges sales on labor) that is still half what a new self-propel mower costs. Yes my labor is lower than the local shops but I don't have their overhead either.

Now any business has different clients and what reasonable in one area maybe not in another so I can not be judge of what is fair in your area. It will take a little visiting of local shops and asking around to get a good idea what you should be charging.

[NO0C]

Thanks for the replies guys.

First of all, I am not a professional tech, but only do it as a hobby, trying to make a little allowance money, as my wife took mine away and do a neighbor, relative or friend a favor. If I’m going to work on something, I try to do it correctly and thoroughly, as if were mine. My neighbor’s remark when she asked me to give it the spring tune up was ‘You do such a good job’. Now maybe that means I do it cheaper than she can haul it downtown to the pros and have to wait a week or more to get her mower back. I think she probably took it downtown last year and probably got burnt pretty good.

I’m probably not as knowledgeable as those that make a living at it, nor as hell bent for getting it done. What’s the hurry? I sure don’t have any overhead involved.

I charged her $54 labor and $4.50 for parts (oil, gas and spark plug with no mark-up). I don’t know what the going rate at the shops in town are, but I’m sure she got a good deal and a good deal more for her money. I guess I’ll have to call Gary downtown and see what their shop rate and spring tune-up special is worth/charged at. I figure if those guys are worth? $65/hr., I’m surely worth $18.

My question was really looking for was if I was close to 3 hours of flat rate labor for what I did for her.

I wish I could find a labor guide online, but no joy yet. Anyone know of one that covers basic engine and equipment repairs?

Again, thanks for you remarks.

[bgsengine]

Oh you wanted times.. Well the average tune up and maintenance is 30-40 minutes, if that - clean up, change oil, filter, plug, check fuel lines and tank blade sharpening is billed out as a flat rate service, or simply replaced - $8 to sharpen blade Vs. $8 - $9 for a new blade on some of the typical box store models (AYP mostly)

- the additional services, from the sound of it for an experienced tech with power tools, probably another 45 minutes to an hour and shop rates for labor can be quite a variety even within a geographic region - anywhere from $45/hour to $89/hour in our area - an hours labor billed out from one of those high end shops can buy you a new Weedeater at Sears so understandably, people don't take weedeaters or poulans to those shops..

- it is also one of the reasons we very deliberately have our shop rate as high as it is - being more selective about what we work on - the cheap stuff is usually also the biggest PITA to work on to begin with, and the customers that own them and want them fixed are also the ones that think you should fix it for them for nothing as if they are doing you a favor by bring it to you.... eliminating those customers and low end machine3s, gives us room to take on the better quality stuff and focus on doing the job right for a repair bill that is fair all the way around... instead of having to "rush through" a repair in order to get more tickets completed, we can take the extra time to pay attention to details and get things done right.

[KE4AVB]

- it is also one of the reasons we very deliberately have our shop rate as high as it is - being more selective about what we work on - the cheap stuff is usually also the biggest PITA to work on to begin with, and the customers that own them and want them fixed are also the ones that think you should fix it for them for nothing as if they are doing you a favor by bring it to you.... eliminating those customers and low end machine3s, gives us room to take on the better quality stuff and focus on doing the job right for a repair bill that is fair all the way around... instead of having to "rush through" a repair in order to get more tickets completed, we can take the extra time to pay attention to details and get things done right.

I'll second that and NO0C don't sell your self short either good techs that know what they are doing are a rare breed.

I had a young diesel mechanic here telling my customer that knew everything there is know lawnmowers. After he royally screw-up a customer machine he got a bad rep. I had to go the customer's home and straighten out the mess he made of the customer mower deck. He didn't even had the foggiest id of how the bearing went in and that there had to be spacers. I and the customer have no idea what he did with the spacers. I end up having to replace a whole spindle over something just needed bearings.

There is shops in my area that won't even take a handheld trimmer that sell for under $100 just the so much involved. Yes 2 cycles are simple engines but doesn't they are always simple to fix either.

Now NO0C I do flat rate chart for Briggs and one for Kawasaki engines if that will help. If so PM me with your email ad.

[NO0C]

Thanks again guys. AVB my e-mail address is okay in my profile, but maybe you can't access it. It's Email ad removed to prevent spam . I would enjoy having something to look at, especially the B&S line.

I find it hard to believe one can do a decent job of a tune up including a complete pressure wash including the deck underside in 30-40 minutes. Maybe/probably I'm a slacker. I guess if I was working on commission I would learn to move a little faster.

All interesting thoughts about the big box mowers, etal. I learned a long time ago, you get what you pay for. That's why i have a Lawn Boy in my stable and when it needs replacement it will probably be a Toro with a cast deck and another Honda engine, Ariens edger, B&S pressure washer and a Stihl blower and trimmer.

Thanks again. Enjoy your Sunday.

[creia]

I am curious as to what was HER REACTION when you presented her with the bill for your work?
Michael

[bgsengine]

I find it hard to believe one can do a decent job of a tune up including a complete pressure wash including the deck underside in 30-40 minutes. Maybe/probably I'm a slacker. I guess if I was working on commission I would learn to move a little faster.
.

Units get a quick wash on the way in (1 minute) deck is scraped while oil is draining (Mower on side) blade sharpen or replace not included in time as it is billed as a separate item, (and check belts while deck is being cleaned) then turn over, fill up oil, pop the engine cover off and check cooling system, linkages, etc, change plug and air filter, shot of lube on cables. linkages, etc. where needed and run through system checks to finish it off - a productive tech can do them in 15-20 minutes - cranking out 4 jobs an hour if they need nothing else than basic maintenance... it is fairly rare except on some well-kept machines, though, so an average of 30-40 minutes is the usual scheduled allotment - some go quick, some go slow, in an 8 hour day a good tech can do 10-14 mowers. sometimes as many as 20 tickets... sometimes only managing 7-8 - but it averages out... other work like the adjusters or etc is billed separately from the basic maintenance flat rate

[acscolo]

Hmmm....working on neighbors' machines? My policy on that is keep it neighborly. Certainly you have to charge for parts and maybe a little extra for a 6 pack just to let them know it's not for free.. There may come a time down the road when she can help you with something, like paint your fence, or help wash your car, or maybe just even holding the end of a tape measure on that deck you were planning to build.