Paying a friend of a friend for mechanical work.

[twinrider1]

What hourly rate would you pay him? You don't know him, but you have a mutual friend. I know there's no one right answer, just want to get an idea of what others do.

(Oops, meant to start in The Garage. Big thanks to a mod if it can be moved).

 

[gorcorps]

Is he an actual mechanic? You pay his normal rate. There are no discounts for mutual friends.

 

[Scotteq]

Google~fu says mechanics average about $20 an hour.

At least pay the man for his time.

 

[nageov3t]

I'd pay whatever he's charging me.

 

[jaedaliu]

Google~fu says mechanics average about $20 an hour.

At least pay the man for his time.

Holy crap that's cheap.

rate is $40/hour at the near-by trade school. I can see why being an independent is so desirable. The independent guy I used to go to is $80/hour, and he's the cheapest I know of in the area.

 

[manimal]

pay half the book rate. Get a quote from a few local businesses and pay half.

 

[Vdubchaos]

It depends on his experience and work that he will be doing.

In general, experienced mechanics that work for dealerships usually charge about 1/2 of what dealer charges on the side.

If he is NOT a mechanic but does work on his own cars/on the side. Make sure you get references.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you learn/do research and do the work yourself. No one (no matter what you pay them) will ever care for your car the way you do and do the work right.

I learned that the hard way 15 years ago and since I've saved over 15-20k dollars on doing maintenance, modifying, repair/fixes myself.

 

[NetWareHead]

Ask him for his rate. This way there is no possible way for you to insult him by lowballing him. Remember you are the layman asking for his professional work. If he is a good friend, he will give you a break but let that decision come from him.

I would always be reluctant to do computer work for family/friends because some of them are cheap and would try to lowball me or complain when the bill came around.

 

[D1gger]

I charge out my mechanics at $80/hr.

 

[BoomerD]

Local dealership shop rates are all over $100/hr...but of course the mechanics don't get half that. MOST make in the $30/hr rate. (paid by flat-rate...averaged)

I don't know any mechanics who will even open their tool boxes for $20/hr. Their experience and knowledge is worth more than that.

(how many of youse geeks will work on someone's computer on the cheap? Family...that's one thing...a "friend of a friend?" Not a chance.)

 

[mikeford]

You don't get to choose his rate. He tell you his rate and you either pay it or go elsewhere. Since its a friend of a friend if you don't work out a rate up front, you pay what he asks and then decide if you want to use him again.

If he does good work, even if he is only 10% less than a regular shop, what do you have to complain about?

 

[randal]

Mechanic friend bills at $90, side work at $50.

 

[twinrider1]

Thanks. Not complaining, just wondering how others handle. it.
I paid what they asked, $100 each, two guys. Including travel time, about 4 hours. One one hand, while a garage would have a higher hourly rate, they could have done the job in half the time. But on the other hand, you run the risk of a shady garage selling you a bunch of unnecessary work.

As it turned out, the friend of the friend was more of a helper. It was HIS friend that was the real mechanic. He was definitely worth the money. The helper wasn't, but I'll look at his payment as more of a finder's fee. He brought the real mechanic, and that's worth something.
If the repair holds, I'll be happy.

 

[sontakke]

Any reason why you are withholding the vehicle or the job information from us?

 

[twinrider1]

No, just didn't think it was pertinent.

'98 Durango with what turned out to be a rusted-through freeze plug right behind the motor mount/bracket. I can turn a wrench but I am s-l-o-w, even more so when the temp is below freezing.

 

[mikeford]

Sounds like a dandy job for a real mechanic. I do my best to turn my own wrenches, but once a job gets messy, drilling, welding, etc. I prefer to let somebody skilled do it. I keep my work at the lego level, bolt on/off etc.

 

[7window]

Half rate or ask him. He is not using a shop.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

if he offers a discounted rate you take it. otherwise you pay him the normal rate knowing he's not out to rip you off and doing his best work.

 

[Black2na]

i own my own Small shop. and i have people doing this all the time bringing me people. i charge 65/hr for mechanical but i dont mark up parts and usually sell it to them at my wholesale cost. and the ONLY people i know that get anything for free or damn near is my wife, or my tow truck guy were he helps me out when i need my own stuff or familys stuff towed so i return the favor in kind. everyone else i charge a fair rate. not making a killing but its worth my time. ask JCH13 and Jlee they both have paid me for work!