Price Check For Mechanic Work

Travis_R · Jun 14, 2017

What do you guys think is a fair price for a tractor mechanic to come to my house and work on my tractor?

Here is the info:

-He's about 1 hour and 45 minutes away (roughly 103 miles).
-He will be rebuilding the power steering pump and re-packing one of the steering cylinders.
-He'll be picking up the parts.

What would be considered a fair price for his driving time and labor (not including parts)?

I've never met the guy, just seen his ad and called.

jeff9366 · Jun 15, 2017

My local Kubota dealer bills mechanic's time at $70 per hour.

4570Man · Jun 15, 2017

It'll be rough. I wouldn't be surprised if he charges mileage on a trip that distance on top of his hourly rate. You'd be way better off to pull the parts yourself or find someone closer. The local dealership charges like $75 an hour for in shop work. What price did he tell you when you called?

Rock knocker · Jun 15, 2017

I think you could be close to a grand with parts, four hours of driving, fuel and five hours of work.

Tractor Seabee · Jun 15, 2017

Be glad you do not live on the west coast close to urban areas. $125/hr both working and traveling plus a mileage rate. Construction equipment is $175/hr. Great incentive to do your own work like I do.

Ron

Turbys_1700 · Jun 15, 2017

Travel: $200 (200 miles @ $1.00 per mile)
Repair Time: $400 ( 4 hours at $100 per hour)
Parts: $500 (pure guess)
Total estimate: $1100
This is a pure guestimation on my part. I have no idea how much it is going to cost. Let us know the outcome. I am curious.

bspeedy · Jun 15, 2017

The four hours and 200 miles of driving are going to kill you price-wise. You could probably buy a new pump and cylinder and install yourself for the same price.

Or, have the cylinder rebuilt at a local hydraulics shop and buy a new pump.

I also think you are in the $1K ballpark.

Just checked on-line - PS pump is 180 bucks. Cylinder rebuild is going to cost you a hundred or so for parts and labor at a local shop. This would be a fraction of the price you will pay for a turn-key job.

The problem comes when he picks up parts and finds something else that is in need of repair - power steering lines, etc. Then what? Have him go for parts? Come back again at full mileage / time charge? Leave it half done? If you are physically able, it is wise to learn to do these things yourself. If not, find a local guy.

Good luck.

MORRISONSTEEL · Jun 15, 2017

If all you can get from a repair shop is the labor/hr then you are most likely getting screwed imao. The best method to accurately compare prices between shops is to get a total quote on the whole repair. Tell them you don't care if they are $70/hr or $150/hr just give me a quote on the job... 1 figure only. Only quoting the labor rate not combined with total amount of hours needed is a terribly dishonest practice mastered by many a repair shop to advertise a "lower rate" than their competitors.

TheMan419 · Jun 15, 2017

I would charge my normal hourly rate for travel. Is there a compelling reason to use someone so far away? Someone local even if more costly per hour will be cheaper.