Everybody knows these toys cost $$$...

[CharlieCobra]

So when it comes time to get a Pro to work on your boat, how're you getting billed?

Does the shop/yard bill you shop time per clocked hour per man touching your boat or just clocked hour shop time period?

The reason I'm asking is that we have been doing work based on 160 billable hours of shop time per month. When I estimate a project, I'm figuring the amount of hours or days it will take. If it's a job that will take a week, it's estimated at 40 hrs or $2,800.00. For that ya get 3 guys, including myself, working on the boat. My compadres in the biz think I'm nuts for not charging at least $100 per clocked hour for Lead and $50 hr per assistant.

What do you think? What have you seen, both as shop owners and customers? What are you comfortable with? While many do their own work, many many more don't. I wanna hear from all and get a perspective from all sides.

[MtHopeBay]

20 years ago when I was working as a mechanic, repairing lawn mowers and chainsaws, the shop charged $50 per hour. For me alone. Lawn mowers. 20 years ago. You're charging $70 per hour for 3 people. That isn't enough to cover payroll, never mind overhead. How do you make a profit?

I don't think you are nuts, I just don't understand how you make a living. $100, $50 and $50 sounds reasonable for 3 guys. I can't afford it, but it sounds reasonable.
Mike

[CharlieCobra]

Part of it is my low overhead.

When I have work it totals $725 per month and $300 when I don't.

Cool, glad ya think so. I'm hoping for many more responses.

BTW, I couldn't afford it either...

[kd3pc]

Cobra

Your rates are quite low, compared to what I see on the Bay...$80-100 per hour for "experienced" and most still want $40-60 per hour for gofer labor that knows nothing about boats, and in my experience dirties up or destroys way more than he fixes.

I have quit paying for "experienced" labor, unless I know his/her abilities. I don't pay for them to learn on my gear. I can do that for far less $$. I have yet to find a good Yanmar guy, or electronics. I do have a good air/fridge/misc guy. He charges $50 an hour and is worth every penny of it. Honest, reliable, prompt and knowledgeable - all the things you need in a guy.

[CharlieCobra]

kd3pc thanks for the post. What the customers are paying, expecting to pay and think is a major part of what I'm looking for.

I consider my helpers quite a bit above the average "know nothing gofer" especially when it come to refinishing work. They've picked up quite a bit of skill and experience working with me on boats. Would I cut them loose on a boat by themselves? Maybe for bottom paint but not much else, not quite yet. We team up on projects.

[Gene T]

My experiences are you pay for the guy working on your boat including him getting supplies and tools. Any supervisory time is also billed. I have noticed that one of the biggest effect on charges depend on the quality of the equipment the yard has. If the yard does not have the proper equipment it will take them a lot longer to do some jobs.

I also learned a lesson years ago in Connecticut. I went into a yard for some off season work at lower yard rates. What I found is everybody charged my boat. I learned it was a lot cheaper to use a yard when they were busy, at least some yards.

Honesty in charging and quality of work is what I care about. When I talk to the yard ahead of time I expect a conscientious assessment of the amount of work and a ballpark of cost for an expected effort.

I wish your yard was in my area.

Gene

[CharlieCobra]

Maybe I oughta franchise... Why is it that some people think it's cool to do crap work and charge good money for it? Honestly, I don't see how some of these folks stay in business...

[mgmhead]

I'm used to paying $75 per man hour. Plus parts & bits. Plus environmental fees. Plus rags and brushes. Plus any damn thing they may think of...so long as the hours are reasonable and the work gets done I have no complaints.

[CharlieCobra]

Wow, 117 views and only three people have paid a yard bill or given one? Man, I knew the posters here like to DIY but had no clue that big of a percentage did?

C'mon, don't be bashful...

[therapy23]

I had a bottm job done in March and a couple of other little things I did not have the tools/equipment for. The yard quoted a finished price and that is what I paid.
I was not there to count hours. Who can do that?
Paying someone to walk back and forth to get more "things" needed happens a lot I guess huh?

So,

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