In Houlton, Maine ... population of about 5,000 ... our best mechanic
(and he's good) charges $35.00 per hour.  He makes repairs to my
brother's Plymouth.

There are ones in town (some of whom I wouldn't take my lawnmower to)
that charge $25/hr.

Before I left Hawaii, mechanics were going for $65 and up to as much as
$85 and they're probably higher now.

I guess it depends on where you are and what the market will bear.

Mike

Robert Fisher wrote:
> Benny,
> I ain't out to tell you your business, but it sounds to me like you're
> giving yourself away. I saw the '$25/hr' on your site and thought it must be
> a typo. The local VW shop gets $85/hr and there isn't a shop I've seen
> recently that doesn't get $65/hr- we're out in the middle of nowhere and not
> near a major city (where the prices seem to be the same or higher, at least
> in this part of the world).
>
> As a self-employed small business owner myself, I can't see how you can
> actually be making a living on that rate (never mind investing in your
> business, etc). Additionally, the kind of attention to detail, etc. that you
> seem to put into your work often commands a premium. Are your rates common
> where you are?
>
> The reason I asked, basically is that guessing at how long it took to
> overhaul that engine in hours x common labor rates, I figured the guy would
> have been able to get at least a fresh rebuild, probably minus installation.
> You saved him a bundle.
>
> Guess if I ever decide to have a rebuild done and not do it myself, I oughta
> take a 'business trip' up your way and have you do it- between the your
> rates, the exchange rate and the tax write-off I might actually make money
> on the deal. : )
>
> Cya,
> Robert
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Benny boy" <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 7:38 AM
> Subject: Re: I win!!! the worse ever "westy part" picture...
>
>
>
>>Hey Robert, about 35 to 40 hours..of hard work, i have to admit.. at 25$hr
>>(my last job ever at that price, am now at 35$hr)
>>
>>Let me explain, this is a very nice 86 Syncro, body and interior are near
>>perfect... the owner lives in San Francisco, but he is from Montreal, the
>>van as been sitting outside for 3.5 years, the rust comme from moisture /
>>humidity more than the snow or salt itself... VW and Mazda when it come to
>>engine rust... Now, that said, the original engine is done, finish,
>
> kappoot
>
>>(max compression 75psi), broken head, too much rust...
>>So we found another good engine, a reman with only 40k on it, but again,
>>this engine (the second one) as been sitting inside and outside for
>
> years..
>
>>but it is way less rusty....and someone filled this one up with fresh oil
>>before, the injection is the worse part...so, i split open both engine, i
>>took the best of everything out of those 2 (but mostly from the second
>
> one),
>
>>i did check/measure everything carefully...(pistons, sleeve, rings, heads,
>>valves, seat....bla bla bla)....so that said, after about 40hours, we
>
> should
>
>>have a verry good 2.1L (about 1000$ CAD / 800USD of labor time), not many
>>parts where needed to built back that engine... so, for about 1500$ CAD,
>>this guy should have a good/clean/original/inspected/sealed running engine
>
> +
>
>>new starter, alternator, clutch. To your question, about 100$ of
>
> tools(wire
>
>>brush), liquid (Brake cleaner, solvant, degreaser), cleanner where
>>needed..on top, my shop is a mess, he he he, and i forgot, we did use a
>
> NEW
>
>>tarp to work on it...finish...
>>
>>About your second question...oil treatment is the solution, yes, engine
>
> are
>
>>being treated also....but, this guys didn't!!! The engine i removed from
>>this van was the original engine, original everything...even the fuel
>>hose...it's a true 20 years old engine... so, not so bad after all...
>>
>>Of course i didn't use that part:
>>http://www.benplace.com/syncro/syncro74.jpg
>>I was just amaze by the poor condition of this one!!!!
>>
>>Ben
>>http://www.benplace.com/vanagon_engine5.htm
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Question: How many billable hours involved in that anchor, at how much per
>>hour? What was the total bill w/parts, etc. (if you're okay with telling,
>
> of
>
>>course)? Speaking of anchors, nobody ever weighed in on my question about
>>whether or not it would be worth it for y'all northern glacier dwellers to
>>ceramic coat (or whatever) your engines to keep 'em from getting that way.
>>
>>Cya, Robert
>
>