Rebuilds...

[Bob]

Been fixing an AG3H for a guy to use to work on his oil lease. I've been kinda half keeping track of the hours I've spent on it, as well as supplies. I can't believe how much time I have in the thing. Not so much in materials tho. Most of the things I've done haven't been hard, such as oil change lube job, tuneup, adjusting brakes, and other such stuff. The major thing I did do was free up the track adjuster. I feel bad charging this guy a ton of money to do some piddily things to his tractor. I probably won't charge him nearly as much as I should. A normal garage in town charges around $50 per hour. I believe heavy equipment more of course, closer to $100. I know I like to get deals on work, but still want to get myself a fair wage. I didn't have other paying work I put off to do this thing, but coulda put my efforts toward my own projects. Your opinions please.

So having said that, I sure am glad I don't ever keep track of the time I've put into some of MY projects, most of which still have yet to be completed!

Bob

[TDLMOMOWERS]

Bob, Been there, Done that. Up until a year ago, I worked 7 days a week for G.M. as an Industrial Truck Mechanic. I also did small engine repair work at home. I would come home from work at 7am and get started in the garage and work for about 4 hours. I never charged enough money for labor, so I was way busier than I really wanted to be. The local shops are getting about 50 dollars an hour for this type of labor. I felt guilty charging people 15 dollars an hour. Because of G.M. closing our plant, I took my retirement and left. I now work part time delivering parts for our local NAPA store. I still get requests to repair a lot of stuff for friends and relatives. How the heck are you going to charge your relatives for doing a small job for them ? I don't have a problem with charging them for parts, but they seem to expect me to provide labor for free. Oh Well, I guess I will never get rich with that attitude. My Dad told me one time, that I needed to learn to say, No. LOL.

[hotratz]

Unless it's a good friend who also does things for me in return I always charge about 50% of what a shop would charge to do the same work. You'll find most people are overjoyed to pay that price. It also lets them off the hook feeling like they owe you something if you don't charge. I always tell them up front that because of my busy life my time is worth a little bit.

[Bob]

Well sounds like both of you know where I'm coming from. This guy was expecting to pay me, just all the extra stuff has caught up with and has by far surpassed the original quote, by almost 2x. But extra parts and extra stuff he wanted fixed all adds up. He is just a guy who came to me needing assistance with this tractor, and found it wasn't as easy as he thought, but wouldn't listen to my words of wisdom! LOL

If nothing else, I'll have myself a nice AG Cletrac if he has a fit and won't pay the tab...

Thanks,
Bob

[TDLMOMOWERS]

Bob, I've ended up with a lot of unwanted junk because some people don't want to pay the price for parts for an old machine. When you bring me a gas trimmer that cost 70 dollars new, and it needs a 45 dollar coil module with 15 dollars labor, most people would just tell me to keep it for parts, and they would go buy another new one. I had 7 old trimmers that I put out when we had a garage sale, and priced them at free to a good home, and 1 guy took all of them. LOL. Most people have no idea what is involved in repairing mechanical equipment.

[Bob]

Good thing bout the AG is it isn't really wanted, but would fit right in, and it shouldn't be hard to sell with the oilfield winch on it.

Bob