Workshop rates?

[awa355]

Was in a local dealership yesterday making a few enquiries. When the sales person said their workshop charge out rate was $100.00 per hour, I was stunned.

I know they have overheads and relative costs that most customers aren't aware of, but a 100 bucks an hour just seems beyond reasonable.

What would a decent bike mecanic get per hour these days?

Is this charge out rate par for the course compared to the rest of the country?

[Furyos J]

i think that may be normal rate. my bike is in a shop at the mo (being repaired under warrenty) and i was told if it wasnt warrenty id be paying $90 per hour at that shop

[White trash]

Yeah we're $90 an hour and that's cheap for Wellington.

If it's overcharging, please feel free to open your own workshop and charge less.

[Furyos J]

he he, my bikes in your shop white trash, i have the black and yellow cbr600 with the flatspot

[White trash]

Turn the throttle harder mate :D

[Quasievil]

As Far As KB is concerned motorcycle related business are forbidden to make any money.

[Voltaire]

Just as a comparison where I work we various tradesmen: electrical, fire, generator and mechanical technicians are under $80 ph.
I doubt they get more than $30 ph.
( and they have similar overheads, offices, vehicles etc.....)

Bike mechanics must be more skilled...:innocent:

Looks like my mis spent youth saves me lots now.:woohoo:

[PeeJay]

Just as a comparison where I work we various tradesmen: electrical, fire, generator and mechanical technicians are under $80 ph.
I doubt they get more than $30 ph.
( and they have similar overheads, offices, vehicles etc.....)

Bike mechanics must be more skilled...:innocent:

Looks like my mis spent youth saves me lots now.:woohoo:

When they were mechanics it was $50 an hour.
They are now TECHNICIANS hence $90.
What will it be after the inevitable upgrade to ENGINEER?

[Usarka]

he he, my bikes in your shop white trash, i have the black and yellow cbr600 with the flatspot


Turn the throttle harder mate :D

Watch out he's might not be joking I had a bike shop give me similar advice a few years ago on a similar bike/similar problem!


Just as a comparison where I work we various tradesmen: electrical, fire, generator and mechanical technicians are under $80 ph.

But you don't also have to pay those lazy arse bike salesmen to stand around all day talking shit :lol:

[Voltaire]

When they were mechanics it was $50 an hour.
They are now TECHNICIANS hence $90.
What will it be after the inevitable upgrade to ENGINEER?

I think we pay about $300.00 ph for an electrical engineer.....

CEO is where the $$$ are at.

[Katman]

If it's overcharging, please feel free to open your own workshop and charge less.

I have. My hourly rate is $64.

[Scuba_Steve]

As Far As KB is concerned motorcycle related business are forbidden to make any money.

no not just bike related, all businesses are forbidden to make money, so if all business owners could just send anything that would be considered a "profit" to me that way we can make sure your not making money

[Shaun]

I have. My hourly rate is $64.



I am $50 but no city overeads

[White trash]

I have. My hourly rate is $64.

Yeah, but you're not on here bitching about what other bike shops charge for the labour rate.

[Katman]

Yeah, but you're not on here bitching about what other bike shops charge for the labour rate.

You're right - I'm very particular about my bitching.:msn-wink:

[PirateJafa]

I have. My hourly rate is $64.

Good on ya!

Last I checked, my mechanic in central Auckland only pings you for $70/hr, and that with him doing all the work on your bike himself, not handing it off to some apprentice'd workshop monkey to fuck up and hand back to you.

[C.Linnell]

I'm on the North Shore (Auckland). Cycletreads in Takapuna does $60 if I remember correctly, which is crazy cheap. Holeshot (Suzuki/ Triumph) does $80.

[Voltaire]

Yeah, but you're not on here bitching about what other bike shops charge for the labour rate.

Sounded like a reasonable question to me, my local VW/Audi shop charges less than $80, but they don't sell vehicles.What makes bikes more expensive?
I'm guessing the back house subsidises the front house.....

[Scuba_Steve]

Sounded like a reasonable question to me, my local VW/Audi shop charges less than $80, but they don't sell vehicles.What makes bikes more expensive?
I'm guessing the back house subsidises the front house.....

my assumption was yes (^) & also everyone has a car but only the superior:innocent: ride bikes so less market too

[rickstv]

We service electronic equipment for the alternative energy sector.Our charge out rate is $75.00 / hr. We also have to update our skills every year or so as electronics is moving so fast.

We also have to service down to component level, not many PCB changes unless it's burnt up.

We also have to be licensed by the EWRB, with refresher causes every 2 years.
Rick.

[awa355]

Yeah we're $90 an hour and that's cheap for Wellington.

If it's overcharging, please feel free to open your own workshop and charge less.


I'm not saying they are overcharging, just saying $100 sounds like a lot. It might well be a fair rate.

A shop in Hamilton, years ago, had a sign up,

'Hourly rate-$30.00
If you want to watch- $35.00
If you want to help- $40.00"

[Swoop]

I'm not saying they are overcharging, just saying $100 sounds like a lot.
Perhaps you also get some shares in the business for that amount?

[Grasshopperus]

Unlike an electrician or other travelling tradesmen these guys are probably renting some commercial property which might cost a lot in the CBD of some decent sized NZ city.

Also, sometimes they'll quote you and cap their labour charge to that limit that they told you. So if they quote you 1hour @ $100/hr to do some work but it winds up taking 2 hours (due to finding some stripped screws or something else unexpected) then you'll still only ending up paying for 1 hour. This sort of price guarantee is something that has to be accounted for.

[Virago]

Just as a comparison where I work we various tradesmen: electrical, fire, generator and mechanical technicians are under $80 ph...

I'm in Fire Protection, we charge $60+GST for service work - low/mid range for this part of the country.


Unlike an electrician or other travelling tradesmen these guys are probably renting some commercial property which might cost a lot in the CBD of some decent sized NZ city...

You got it. You can't really compare with other trades, who will work out of low-cost back-street industrial premises (or even work from home). The cost of commercial tenancies in higher profile inner-city locations is horrendous.

[Voltaire]

I'm in Fire Protection, we charge $60+GST for service work - low/mid range for this part of the country.



You got it. You can't really compare with other trades, who will work out of low-cost back-street industrial premises (or even work from home). The cost of commercial tenancies in higher profile inner-city locations is horrendous.

I was working in Dunedin last year at the UNI and I looked in some Estate Agent windows.... long time since I have seen a house for under $150 000....:innocent:
Cool place Dunedin, has that old European city feel.....and Emerson beer.

[Katman]

Also, sometimes they'll quote you and cap their labour charge to that limit that they told you. So if they quote you 1hour @ $100/hr to do some work but it winds up taking 2 hours (due to finding some stripped screws or something else unexpected) then you'll still only ending up paying for 1 hour.

I would seriously doubt that.

And it is exactly the reason that I don't quote jobs. I'll give as close an estimate as I can and assure the customer that if the job looks like escalating then I will ring them before going any further.

For most jobs it is impossible to know exactly what you will find until you have the thing apart.

[Morcs]

As Far As KB is concerned motorcycle related business are forbidden to make any money.

Statement of the year right there.

[Sable]

Typically 40 goes to the mechanic and 40 goes to the shop.

[Ronin]

Typically 40 goes to the mechanic and 40 goes to the shop.

Can I have some of your drugs?

My charge out rate is easy:


Fixing your Porn Ridden 8 year old computer $5
Knowing how to fix your Porn ridden 8 year old computer $95


That said. 95% of the jobs we do on a flat rate and the time charge bears little resemblance to the actual time spent. We won't charge you any more than was agreed upon with out getting the go ahead for the job and that only happens if we find faulty hardware we didn't know about.

[pete-blen]

WOW..
$100 a hour for a few guys with there own tools...
may be the standard bike shop prise..but its over the top.
We charge $95 a hour for the machine shop..
lathes/mills/CNC machines would be worth more the
there complete stock...
I know the ass has droped out of motor bike sales..
So I surpose they have to make $ what ever way they can
when the work comes though the door..

Thank god bike will never see a bike shop...

Pete

[jaffaonajappa]

ok, so the bike mechanic in a Van, here on the North Shore, has previously received very good feedback and recommendations from KB'ers.

He has some overheads....and should include some kind of call-out travelling time expenses.

So, whats he charging per hour?

[tri boy]

Anybody had lazer eye surgery in the last few years?
Try $1600 per eye, for about ten seconds work, (which is done by a machine).
I love the smell of burning retina in the morning...................:blink:

[jaffaonajappa]

Try $1600 per eye, for about ten seconds work, (which is done by a machine).


LOL. No, its not.

[Katman]

Anybody had lazer eye surgery in the last few years?
Try $1600 per eye, for about ten seconds work, (which is done by a machine).


Really? I paid $2600 per eye and even then had one turn to shit.

[Brian d marge]

young girl on Krd charged me 150 for 30 seconds ......

Stephen

[jaffaonajappa]

young girl on Krd charged me 150 for 30 seconds ......

Stephen

You had time to confirm it was a girl....within that time period?

[danchop]

very little now(street bike wise)involves much actual engine work these days,servicing is rather straight forward and a big % of workshop business.most muppets could service thier own bike given a look once how its done,its no specialised service rarely needing qualified so called technicians,so $100 ph to do a muppets job is too expensive in a lot of circumstances.

[cheshirecat]

The only engine shop work I would need are the valve clearances but every time i take it in they say it doesn't need it, thats some 70,000k now.

[imdying]

Anybody had lazer eye surgery in the last few years?
Try $1600 per eye, for about ten seconds work, (which is done by a machine).Yeah, but it's not, and it's not. It's a consultancy where they topographically measure your eyeball, then about 2 hours on site whilst they drug, operate and then observe you, plus 3 follow up appointments.

[pritch]

.most muppets could service thier own bike given a look once how its done,

I can do basic stuff - no way I'd have wanted to get involved with the valve gear on the VFR, or the S4R for that matter - but my interest these days is riding bikes not working on them. Currently I can afford to pay someone else to do it, so I do.

If that makes me a muppet, tough!

[tri boy]

Yeah, but it's not, and it's not. It's a consultancy where they topographically measure your eyeball, then about 2 hours on site whilst they drug, operate and then observe you, plus 3 follow up appointments.
So the drunk Russian, with a laser from a 1980's disc player did a pretty good job on me then. (funny how a duck flying overhead looks like a spastic gayboy trying to dry his nails quickly though)

[imdying]

So the drunk Russian, with a laser from a 1980's disc player did a pretty good job on me then.If the advertising is to be believed (so not then), what they used on me compared to what they have today is about that tech :D

[Ocean1]

WOW..
$100 a hour for a few guys with there own tools...
may be the standard bike shop prise..but its over the top.
We charge $95 a hour for the machine shop..
lathes/mills/CNC machines would be worth more the
there complete stock...

Yup, a machine shop will charge upwards of $100 / Hr. But that gear is worth several million, may well be costing several hundred thousand a year whether it's running or not..

It always amuses me when people compare my rate with plumbers or builders. I could kit up as a plumber for the price of a van and a couple of grand's worth of hand tools and charge $80/Hr. A machine shop charges not much more, and if it has a bad quarter it's toast.

[Rhubarb]

We charge $95 a hour for the machine shop..
lathes/mills/CNC machines would be worth more the
there complete stock...

Pete

Same here. Machining workshop, fabrication workshop, fitting workshop, 5 workshop vehicles, = about $1m in equipment. 3000 square metre building. 30k per annum insurance plus ACC, health & safety, Kiwisaver and so on ....

Charge out $60 per hour. Or, $85ph if they use a $250k lathe etc.

Should be able to pay my staff more but market won't stand a higher charge out rate because there are too many 'Johnny Welders' working out of ute with no overheads.

[Big Dave]

Raking it in. Just look at the the number of new bike shops springing up everywhere!
I think most of them are in survival mode. Charging what they need to stay open.

Industry is pretty tough. 2005 I was spending 3 days a week producing bike related advertising.

Currently it's 3 days a month (and 3 days a week for the medical sector).

[Quasievil]

Really? I paid $2600 per eye and even then had one turn to shit.so you paid $2600 total then



sorry couldnt help it, dont be hating the quas:innocent:

[baptist]

I have. My hourly rate is $64.


Really? I paid $2600 per eye and even then had one turn to shit.

Is there a connection here?... no wait that is mean... moving along... :whistle::whistle::innocent:

[MD]

Anybody had lazer eye surgery in the last few years?
Try $1600 per eye, for about ten seconds work, (which is done by a machine).
I love the smell of burning retina in the morning...................:blink:

Way back when mine were done it was $1500 an eye and that was with state of art stone chisel and flint stones. Same Guy now charges $2500.

I had to get them done so I could read the fine print on my bike repair bills :facepalm:

Or you can buy a new bike each year and avoid expensive servicing costs

[Milts]

Also, sometimes they'll quote you and cap their labour charge to that limit that they told you. So if they quote you 1hour @ $100/hr to do some work but it winds up taking 2 hours (due to finding some stripped screws or something else unexpected) then you'll still only ending up paying for 1 hour. This sort of price guarantee is something that has to be accounted for.

Some truth in this. I think Motorad charge between 90-100$ per hour but I consider it reasonable given the service, and I know for a fact in some instances they've charged me for less hours than they've done work (not the rule but has happened).

[Brian d marge]

You had time to confirm it was a girl....within that time period?

it was dark and I came from behind.......

[jaffaonajappa]

it was dark and I came from behind.......

Hmmmm, shouldve asked for a discount.
The five finger type of discount.

[imdying]

Yup, a machine shop will charge upwards of $100 / Hr. But that gear is worth several million, may well be costing several hundred thousand a year whether it's running or not..

It always amuses me when people compare my rate with plumbers or builders. I could kit up as a plumber for the price of a van and a couple of grand's worth of hand tools and charge $80/Hr. A machine shop charges not much more, and if it has a bad quarter it's toast.
There's nothing you do that I can't get done in China cheaper. A plumber I need on site right now.

[Shaun]

young girl on Krd charged me 150 for 30 seconds ......

Stephen


that was actually HALF A BOY Stephen:gob:

[Ocean1]

There's nothing you do that I can't get done in China cheaper. A plumber I need on site right now.

I make machinery. You'll struggle to find anyone in China interested in making one-offs. Once you get into budgets over about a million you're into industrial robot country and Mitsubushi will sell you one. You'll still need me to make the tooling and to make it work.

[imdying]

You'll still need me to make the tooling and to make it work.Did. No longer.

[Crasherfromwayback]

very little now(street bike wise)involves much actual engine work these days,servicing is rather straight forward and a big % of workshop business.most muppets could service thier own bike given a look once how its done,its no specialised service rarely needing qualified so called technicians,so $100 ph to do a muppets job is too expensive in a lot of circumstances.

Sorry mate, but you're kidding yourself. Try doing valve clearances on a lot of modern sport bikes. You've gotta have cerebral palsy and a whole lot of patience even to get the valve cover of half of them they're built so tight and small. Then you need the diagnostic equipment...which costs a bomb. But most shops like DIYers, alot of our biggest repair jobs come from them gone wrong.

[Banditbandit]

it was dark and I came from behind.......

Ummm .. errr .. are you sure thats what you mean?

[Owl]

Just reading a thread where an Aussie guy paid $175 to get two tyres fitted/balanced on a Speed Triple. That was after he complained and they'd knocked 1 hour off!:shit:

[SWERVE]

Our guys are currently servicing dairy sheds.... in the cold/wet etc charge rate $65p/hr
One of our customers was in the paper today.... they get $50,000 + per day! in milk payouts.......................... and yep you guessed it................. they always dispute the invoice.
Thats life.:blink:

[bsasuper]

Mmmmm, when I left skool I scored an app as a bike mechanic at a kawasaki dealer,3 years later I was qualified and promptly got out of motorcycle mechanics, (crap money back then).Fortunately I stuck with the love of motorcycles and still know how to fix one.(bugger paying up to 100p/hr).I shake my head and feel sorry for people who dont know and pay this amount of $$$.

[Owl]

I have. My hourly rate is $64.

What do you know about Speed Triples?:whistle:

[Shaun]

What do you know about Speed Triples?:whistle:




I know like in any other Triumph, the STD stearing head bearings are total Crap

[Owl]

I know like in any other Triumph, the STD stearing head bearings are total Crap

I had a long discussion with Kerry Wallace (TripleFourensics) about that. He reckoned they weren't the best, but if stripped down early in their life and greased properly, they tended to be ok. But yes, not their finest bearing idea.

[Shaun]

I had a long discussion with Kerry Wallace (TripleFourensics) about that. He reckoned they weren't the best, but if stripped down early in their life and greased properly, they tended to be ok. But yes, not their finest bearing idea.



It is NOT just the severe lack of grease in them man, it is the fact that they effectively do NOT tighten up enough to get what I consider to be a good staering head bearing tightness for the tripple clamps, causing head shake and light front end feeling

Aftermarket are the best for the Triumphs

[Oakie]

Paid $75 an hour for 6 hours work when I picked my bike up yesterday from Trevor Pierce here in Chch. They did a good job so I'm happy to pay that amount.

[Shaun]

Paid $75 an hour for 6 hours work when I picked my bike up yesterday from Trevor Pierce here in Chch. They did a good job so I'm happy to pay that amount.



Nice to here your'e a happy customer

[Brett]

I had to hire a thermographer to do some thermal imaging work...$225/hour. Bike mechanics at $90/hr seems pretty fair to me. Continental Cars labour rate was $140 + gst for work on my V8 Audi S4.

[JimO]

(and 3 days a week for the medical sector).

is that you that does the erectile dysfunction adds on the wireless??

[Tunahunter]

I have. My hourly rate is $64.

Great, how far are "The Gates of Delirium" from Island Bay?

[rageous]

What really gets me is the charge they also make around $10 for cleaning materials and rags. Especially annoying as they don't clean the bike after working on it.

[Rhubarb]

What really gets me is the charge they also make around $10 for cleaning materials and rags. Especially annoying as they don't clean the bike after working on it.

Cleaning Materials aren't used to clean the bike.

It covers the cost of things like CRC, kerosenne bath etc used to clean parts. The rags will be used to wipe the parts down during disassembly and to ensure clean parts go back in. Depending on the job there will probably be oil to mop up as well.

[marty]

I'd walk out if a bike shop told me they'd charge me $100/hr. I know how much a workshop that fixes aeroplanes charges, including the workshop that fixes the jets that you fly around the world on, and even that is not $100/hr. And I'd be picking the equipment, qualifications, compliance and floor space is a whole lot more expensive than it is for shimming a Speed Triple.