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Local mechanic costs

 
 
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furrywoolyhatuk
Just got MTs


Joined: 09 Dec 2010
Odometer: 164
Location: Surrey



PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:08 pm    Post subject: Local mechanic costs Reply with quote

I'm just ringing around trying to get some prices for the following on my 1990 Suzuki vit 8v auto:

Replace all belts

Replace leaky oil seal coming from front diff to the right hand side driveshaft

How much would you pay a local mechanic for these jobs (inc parts).

Cheers Smile
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Toseland
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 25 Oct 2011
Odometer: 3209
Location: cardiff


1999 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

most of the mechanics around here (smalle r garages) charge between 30 and 50 per hour... for work, including VAT but not including parts.

go to the local motorfactors or look on the internet for a good quality set of pats, that you can use as a reference so you at least know if he says its gonna be £50 for the parts, that it is actually going to be £50 for the parts, rather than £5 with £45 markup on top..

most mechanics should be able to give you an idea of how much something is going to cost in time, some will even give you a "job done" price..

__________________________________
I live by 2 sayings:
1. The beatings will continue until morale improves
2. Pain is just Weakness leaving the body..

The feeling you get when you first smash your shaft out, is one you will never forget.. especially if you do it in front of 10 guys.
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Sabbatical
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Front Axle oil seal -

http://www.bits4vits.co.uk/store/vitara-/-x90/o...de-/prod_412.html

£7.92 is Suzuki's RRP

To fit they'd have to strip the front suspension enough to get the driveshaft out, lever the old oil seal out, quick wipe and pop the new one in and tap home with a rubber hammer...

Wink
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silver zuk
Off-Road Guru


Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Odometer: 1800
Location: surrey



PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="Toseland"]most of the mechanics around here (smalle r garages) charge between 30 and 50 per hour... for work, including VAT but not including parts.

go to the local motorfactors or look on the internet for a good quality set of pats, that you can use as a reference so you at least know if he says its gonna be £50 for the parts, that it is actually going to be £50 for the parts, rather than £5 with £45 markup on top..

most mechanics should be able to give you an idea of how much something is going to cost in time, some will even give you a "job done" price..[/quote

where do you live? that sounds cheep to me i work in a body shop and the garage next to us is £75 per hour +vat a mate has his own garage and he's £60 +vat there both in surrey

as for parts i dont no any business that sells parts at cost
there buy the bits at trade and sell them on at retail
if you no a garage that works for £30 including vat and sells his parts at trade best share with us all hes going to be one busy man rite up to the point where he goes bust
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kawasaki green
Gate Opener


Joined: 17 Dec 2011
Odometer: 49
Location: tewkesbury



PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

what £75 an hour for an independent? i have my own garage and we charge 40 i need to move countys
__________________________________
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duke
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 15 Jun 2006
Odometer: 2005
Location: Thatcham Newbury surf 2.4td



PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

have a look in trusted traders section


couple of gents offering quality work at affordable prices

in surrey / hampshire area

__________________________________
1995 5 door vitara 16v FOR SALE MAKE ME AN OFFER <><><><><><><><><><><><><>
1996 5 door vitara 16v (spares)

Toyota Surf 2.4td auto SSR-X
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rjbautokraft1
Gate Opener


Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Odometer: 24




PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the average rent in central surrey for commercial property does vary but basically around a thousnd square feet workshop in a normal industrial estate would cost you in the region of £1700 per calender month this coupled with a monthly buisness rate payment of approx £400 giving a total of £2100 a month add to this gas,electricity comprehensive insurance for buildings road risks public liability employee liability the cost of tooling and i dont mean a socket set from halfords! then add on the capital expenditure for ramps commpressors etc etc all this without mentioning the incidentals essential to the smooth proffesional running of an honest reputable buisness and then work out how many man hours at 75 pounds an hour a small buisness in surrey would have to produce to cover there overheads! let alone pay any wages or heaven forbid show a profit i do think people should do some research before posting flippant comments regarding the status of imt garages 99% of which i can assure you are substantialy better equipped than most main dealers hourly rates are differant all over the country and this is due to the cost of trading in different economic markets not due to the greed of individual buisness owners
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duke
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 15 Jun 2006
Odometer: 2005
Location: Thatcham Newbury surf 2.4td



PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Local mechanic costs Reply with quote

**** wrote:
I'm just ringing around trying to get some prices for the following on my 1990 Suzuki vit 8v auto:

Replace all belts

Replace leaky oil seal coming from front diff to the right hand side driveshaft

How much would you pay a local mechanic for these jobs (inc parts).

Cheers Smile


can of worms been opened now,
think furry was only asking for advice/reasonable costs Think

__________________________________
1995 5 door vitara 16v FOR SALE MAKE ME AN OFFER <><><><><><><><><><><><><>
1996 5 door vitara 16v (spares)

Toyota Surf 2.4td auto SSR-X
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rjbautokraft1
Gate Opener


Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Odometer: 24




PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

going back to the original question

the published figures for carrying out said jobs are

to replace camshaft drive belt and tensioner 2.4 hrs
(this should include replacement of auxillary belts as they have to be removed for access)

to strip and remove front hub assembly .90hrs
you may get a nominal additional .20hrs to remove and fit new seal

hope this helps any questions you are more than welcome to ring me advise is free regards bob (rjb autokraft)
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JoelP
Winch Assistant


Joined: 13 Dec 2008
Odometer: 81




PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the garage i normally use rebuilt my vivaro engine after the cambelt snapped, basically 8 valves and all the other stuff you'd expect, for £700 including parts.

Thats nothing to do with the OPs question, just a example of a shockingly cheap garage. He said parts came to about £3-400, so the other £3-400 covered god knows how many hours labour. What do you reckon, at least 10 hours?
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Ducky
Just got MTs


Joined: 14 Oct 2011
Odometer: 302




PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JoelP wrote:
the garage i normally use rebuilt my vivaro engine after the cambelt snapped, basically 8 valves and all the other stuff you'd expect, for £700 including parts.

Thats nothing to do with the OPs question, just a example of a shockingly cheap garage. He said parts came to about £3-400, so the other £3-400 covered god knows how many hours labour. What do you reckon, at least 10 hours?


The flip side is would you have paid £1700 for the job? Sometimes a garage will take a job on because it's money and it pays the bills, even though they may not be earning the full amount if done by the hours.

__________________________________
Sporty II - 1997 Daihatsu Sportrak Limited
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furrywoolyhatuk
Just got MTs


Joined: 09 Dec 2010
Odometer: 164
Location: Surrey



PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 4:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Local mechanic costs Reply with quote

duke wrote:
**** wrote:
I'm just ringing around trying to get some prices for the following on my 1990 Suzuki vit 8v auto:

Replace all belts

Replace leaky oil seal coming from front diff to the right hand side driveshaft

How much would you pay a local mechanic for these jobs (inc parts).

Cheers Smile


can of worms been opened now,
think furry was only asking for advice/reasonable costs Think


A can of worms indeed!

Everyone's input is greatly appreciated.

Bob I may well be in touch shortly as your only 40 mins down the road from me.

Cheers all that's helped clarify things for me.
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Munkee
Off-Road Guru


Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Odometer: 1505
Location: Hampshire


1999 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

£100 will get you a starting socket set and a few other bits. Parts are less than £70.

Do it yourself. These are some of the easiest jobs you can do on a vit!

You know it makes sense... Twisted Evil


Does the cam belt need doing?

__________________________________
Steve

In America, some fundamental Christians believe that the world is only 5000 years old, In England, some of us drink in pubs older than that.
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furrywoolyhatuk
Just got MTs


Joined: 09 Dec 2010
Odometer: 164
Location: Surrey



PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have limited mobility so I struggle to do some jobs. That's not to say I havent tackled some servicing tasks. I get a bit of help from my friends but I don't like keeping asking for favours.

Iv had the vit a couple of months, it had no history with it so just for my piece of mind I would feel happier if it was done.
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Rented
Just got MTs


Joined: 03 Jan 2010
Odometer: 173



1987 Suzuki SJ413

PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

rjbautokraft1 wrote:
the average rent in central surrey for commercial property does vary but basically around a thousnd square feet workshop in a normal industrial estate would cost you in the region of £1700 per calender month this coupled with a monthly buisness rate payment of approx £400 giving a total of £2100 a month add to this gas,electricity comprehensive insurance for buildings road risks public liability employee liability the cost of tooling and i dont mean a socket set from halfords! then add on the capital expenditure for ramps commpressors etc etc all this without mentioning the incidentals essential to the smooth proffesional running of an honest reputable buisness and then work out how many man hours at 75 pounds an hour a small buisness in surrey would have to produce to cover there overheads! let alone pay any wages or heaven forbid show a profit i do think people should do some research before posting flippant comments regarding the status of imt garages 99% of which i can assure you are substantialy better equipped than most main dealers hourly rates are differant all over the country and this is due to the cost of trading in different economic markets not due to the greed of individual buisness owners


amen to that , if it wasnt for reputation of the business sometimes ive wanted to kick someone down the road when they say that the rates are "expensive" or that our rates are "excessive" for the job we do .

Our hourly rate is £60 for the first hour £40 there after , that is inc vat . other rates apply depending if on trade or passing custom and differnt rates by the hourly for lengthy jobs etc .
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proudy
Just got MTs


Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Odometer: 374




PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

2yrs ago I wouldn't have attempted a basic service. Now I've learned a fair bit & will gladly try most things from oil changes to engine swaps. Its been a learning curve & I've made more mistakes than most, usually trying to take short cuts but get yourself a Haynes manual & try it. I've learned more from the lads on Difflock than from any manual though. Suzuki parts are cheap to buy & wherever you are in the country theres good & bad mechanics everywhere. I paid £500 for my Vitara & theres no way would I pay £75 an hour for someone to do a few fairly straightforward jobs, I simply couldn't afford it. Hardest part is finding a reliable mechanic you can trust....
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