Charge for tuneb up

[l gehring]

Good evening gents
I have a man that wants me to do a tune up on a 8n ford. He knows I am not a professional. I work on my own trucks and tractors and have tinkered on some for others but not for money. I need a point to start from, do I charge by hour or per job. I would like to hear from some of you gents that have done this before. Thanks,Lowell

 

[Ecnerwal]

Up to you. Don't underprice yourself - charge at least the same rate the local tractor dealer does (lacking a tractor dealer you know the rate of, at least what an auto mechanic in your market does.) No particular reason to sell yourself short - all that leads to is lots of time spent working cheap and no money made.

I'd be very leery of anything other than hourly - most work I do on my tractors is 80% fighting with things that should come apart easily but don't after 40 years, and 20% actually doing the job I am trying to do...and sometimes another 20% trying to figure out what the heck the last guy to work on them was thinking...

 

[Royse]

Hard to say. Front mount distributor, or side mount?
What does the "tune up" include and who's buying the parts?
If you need to provide the parts, price them first and DO NOT buy
cheap Tisco or TSC type points, etc. You will be doing it again.
If he's buying the parts, I wouldn't put in the cheap ones either.
They leave a bad taste in my mouth. LOL
Quite a few guys here keep all the part numbers if you let us know
what parts you need we could get you part numbers for good ones.

 

[old]

I do a bit on the side to make extra $$. I have in the past checked what the dealers etc charge and then charge less then half. Most dealers in this area if they do a service call will charge X amount per mile plus there charge for that guy per hour. Most dealers in my area are in the $85-150 per hour rate and the small guy places in the $65-85 per hour. So if you figure what it may cost you to drive to them and the tools and time it takes. Sorry will not put a number on your time and will not say what I charge either

 

[JESSWOH]

I set my pricing by looking at what I would consider to be a fair price if I owned the piece of equipment. If it is an older price of equipment I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing it is back in working order.

 

[NoNewParts]

for me, it all depends on the 'customer'
At this point in my life, I would much rather
buy-fixup-trade-sell tractors, than work for other people.
Most jobs I do now are for people that just can't afford
a dealer or pro shop visit.
So, I charge by the job, AFTER taking a look at the tractor.
Could I make a living at it doing it this way?....nope
But, it does help people out that are in a $ bind.

ps I've found that hobbies that turn into businesses eventually take the FUN out of my hobby, so unless someone really needs my help...........I just say no

 

[Lumpy]

The last time I did a tune-up for some one else, was the LAST tune-up for anyone.
Guy brought me a '45 2n didn't run. I put in points, condenser, plug wires, plugs, and re-built the carb. Drained the gas and put 2 gallons of fresh gas in it. When done it ran like a top. Handed the guy a bill for $150.00 that included parts and labor. He thought it was to high and told others I ripped him off. I haven't worked on some one elses tractor since. I tell them to take it to a dealer.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

The last time I spend a day and a half getting a person's MF 50 genny working, I did it for nothing. Now I have a friend for life that has done many things for me for free. Not to mention, he has more scrape iron than I do. It's free too. He also has a small air conditioning business as well.

I have other friends who I don't charge, Like my CPA. He's been doing my taxes for 40 years. If he needs something done, I drop everything to help.

I think I come out way ahead by doing things for FREE.

 

[l gehring]

Thanks to all who replied, A good mix of advice which will help me make good decisions. Thanks, Lowell