Labor costs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Labor costs
There is another thread that is discussing Dealer labor rates and I didn't want to muddy the water there. But I was thinking to myself, what is a fair labor rate for a good mechanic. What would you pay to have someone work on your car that you have confidence can provide the skills necessary to complete the work professionally and correctly?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
For a mechanic in a shop that has overhead, or for a backyard guy that will come to your house and work on your car?
In an independent shop there is a substantial amount of overhead - in that other thread I said we charge $105 per hour. The tech doesn't make that - but that is his bill rate. Our lead tech Cody has 12+ years of Corvette experience, he is our in-house tuner as well. Our other Tech, Louis used to work for LG on their race team and was a crew chief.
Both of these guys know Corvettes and as a result have a lot of general experience too. Louis is our fabricator and electrical guy. Cody is the tuner as I mentioned and has a lot of forced induction and engine experience.
So the question is - what would you pay to have guys like this work on your Corvette? What is fair?
In an independent shop there is a substantial amount of overhead - in that other thread I said we charge $105 per hour. The tech doesn't make that - but that is his bill rate. Our lead tech Cody has 12+ years of Corvette experience, he is our in-house tuner as well. Our other Tech, Louis used to work for LG on their race team and was a crew chief.
Both of these guys know Corvettes and as a result have a lot of general experience too. Louis is our fabricator and electrical guy. Cody is the tuner as I mentioned and has a lot of forced induction and engine experience.
So the question is - what would you pay to have guys like this work on your Corvette? What is fair?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
My question is meant to draw out honest opinions, not to suggest what anyone should set their rates. I also assume I could expect to see a wide variety, range of prices. There are probably a lot of good shops worth their $100+ per hour rates but for a majority of us there aren't any within nornal driving distances. Just to be clear I'm not suggesting anyone need to justify their rates.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My question is meant to draw out honest opinions, not to suggest what anyone should set their rates. I also assume I could expect to see a wide variety, range of prices. There are probably a lot of good shops worth their $100+ per hour rates but for a majority of us there aren't any within nornal driving distances. Just to be clear I'm not suggesting anyone need to justify their rates.
talented and experienced professional techs working in a specialty shop like ours are well compensated.
I apologize if I came off sounding like the pompous *** that I can be.....
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,536
Likes: 24,826
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Luckily, the mechanic that always works on my car at my local dealership is extremely good and always careful with my car. I always insist that he work on it when I have any issues. The dealership charges $50/hour labor which I think is very reasonable for a dealership. Now if that guy left and I had to seek out someone else to work on the car, I'm sure I would be willing to pay more if I knew that things were going to be done properly the first time. How much more is a good question.
