rate of charge

For the ones that have a business going that have several people working. If you have 2 people working on a car at the same time, do you charge rate times 2?
 
This topic has me interested and I talked to a few resto shops and I was surprised that some of the more well known shops in this area have been doing some resto work at $35hr.
I was really surprised to hear that as they have been in the business for quite some time. I assumed the rate would be closer to $50.00.

I haven't been really pushing for the resto work until last year and am already thinking my rates need to go up. But with them at that rate still it makes me wonder. I guess their is no need to make comparison. I sometimes think that is one of the bigger mistakes a shop can do..

That being said, it's known that michigans economy isn't doing the greatest, but I think it would be hard to survive at that rate.
 
I've been doing a lot of motorcyle tanks lately. They are small and a few different customers so the 40 bucks an hour almost seems like they aren't worth it. Kinda seem like a distraction to have them around. But, a big resto job can take 1000 plus hours and your dealing with one guy. To me the headaches aren't as bad with the big jobs so the pay is fine. I have a new guy coming over this weekend about more tanks and since I can't seem to keep up working long hours then I'm going to up the price and see. Their is a high quality resto shop near Chad in Elkhart, IN that has been in business for years and they are around 60 and hour give or take. Very nice people and do all the big concours style shows. They are winners at Pebble and numerous others so the quality is there. I'm probably wrong but there is a threshold that people are willing swallow before they find other parts of the country that is cheaper. I did a couple cars for a Lawyer in Jersey because he didn't like the pricing there. Of course he screwed me on the last one. Go figure a Jersey lawyer screwed me. Shouldv'e figured that was coming.
 
75 hr for real time or 45 hr at inflated hours . i know shops that use the low labor rate to pull in work but also bill far more hours than i do. so labor rates can be deceiving . anyone doing a high end restoration that is shopping for cost is in it to make money. not by restoring a rare car that will appreciate in value but rather to beat up some small shop on cost. they will fill your shop with work and make all kinds of promises but in the end they walk away with the gravy . learn to spot these guys and avoid them like the plaque .
 
I agree there shine. You can usually spot those guys in a instant. They also want to know final cost usually so they can decide if they think they will be able to make money on the sale. I don't like doing this types of jobs.. Glad I don't have any in the shop.
They are not worth it because it all becomes about money. They want to save any dollar they can, and cut as many corners as possible.
 
My situation is different than most here.. Most of you guys are pro's, make your living at this and are damn good at what you do.. Thats why your here and not elsewhere on the net..

I feel my work is good and I dont try and cut corners for speed thereby slighting my customers.. I do however need the work as I do count on it right now Shine to make it through these tough times.. Ever since the economy took a dump, so did my paycheck several dollars an hour.. With my wife at home with 4 kids ages 6 and under I am keeping my rate low to ensure work until I am dug out of the financial hole I got into being laid off off and on for over 2 yrs.. The last yr (2009) I was off for more than 6 months.. Im not crying or seeking sympathy, simply stating some facts.

I was charging 45/hr before 2008 for anything over and above a set show car price.. It was not an issue with my customers.. Since then I charge a flat rate of $20/hr plus materials for most extra things above what our initial agreement $$ is..
My customers always say, that it is a reasonable rate and they are comfortable with it.. I just dont want to be greedy and then not have the work.. If it were simply extra as it used to be, then I could pick and choose.. However at the moment, and it wont always be like this, I need the work..

Other things to remember...I dont have the overhead you guys do either.. I dont have epa breathing down my neck yet.. Also before I dropped my rates for show work and flat rates, I was jobless pretty much doing show work here in KY..

Luckily Barry and Aaron both suggested I run an ad to get business started up for myself again.. It worked and I have not been without work since then. Once the ball started rolling again it has never stopped..

Finally, a little off topic here, but still I must say this.. I am truly blessed to have found spi and met you guys.. All of you here have helped make it possible to do what I do.. Ive learned more from you all and Barry than I had in all the previous years I'd painted cars.. I could have never turned out the quality of work I do now without meeting Barry and you all..

Now back to your regulary scheduled program :cool:
 
Bondoking;4298 said:
Finally, a little off topic here, but still I must say this.. I am truly blessed to have found spi and met you guys.. All of you here have helped make it possible to do what I do.. Ive learned more from you all and Barry than I had in all the previous years I'd painted cars.. I could have never turned out the quality of work I do now without meeting Barry and you all.
Click to expand...

I'll second that!!!!!
 
i get no greater joy than running those aholes out of my shop. i make it a point to tell them just what i think of them . they are parasites. they will seek out a young gun in trouble and walk all over them. i hate those bastards with a passion.
 
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