How much do mechanics usually charge per hour? I am getting my car lowered tomorrow (just springs for now) as well as one of the one of the bolts for the lug nuts changed out (accidentally stripped it while changing my brake pads), the guy said 85/hr and he is estimating 2 1/5 hours. Just wondering if this is the common rate or should I look around more. Any help/advice would be appreciated

 

Labor rates vary, based on the cost of living in each area and New Car Dealers tend to charge slightly higher than independent shops. Specialty shop (like race car shops, head porters, etc.) usually get premium $$$ for premium work.

I don't think $85/hr. is out of the norm for the San Deigo area. Shop in rural areas of the country may get $45/hr. and in New York or San Francisco may get $100/hr.

Many shop go by a "Labor Rate Guide (LRG)" to determine the repair time.

For instance, the LRG may show 0.7 hrs. labor to replace a front coil spring and 0.5 hrs. to replace a rear coil spring.

So the shop "should" charge you 2.4 hrs. @ $XXX/hr. to change all 4 springs. Additional time may be added to the standard time for unusual circumstances, like stripped bolts, non-OEM parts installed, etc.

 

sounds about right

 

ah man thanks, i was hoping for a tech day to come up and maybe have some more experienced people help me out but i cant find the time to take this stuff off. i feel like it would take me more than a couple hours to do this myself. it shouldnt run me for more 300 anyway

 

85 should about right for ASE certified places.

but lowering spring job should be around 65-85, most shop do it as an item instead of hourly charged task.

and someplace have discount if you buy the spring from them and have their tech put it on. if they have an alignment rack, that's another place you could ask for discount one

taking out a bolt should be no more than 25 dollar at most garage, again, most tire/wheel places do it very cheap.

my suggestion would be don't do it in a shop that charge that kinda of easy stuff with hour rate.