How would you bill someone to " teach them, and help them " rebuild their motor.

[billybek]

You did a good thing.
Charge them for your time. All of it.

[Evans, Marv]

+1 for what Mike said. If it were me, I think I'd list everything you put into it, give it to them and ask what they think what it's worth - given they know your shop rate. I doubt you will come out on top or even on the deal. I would guess this kind of thing shouldn't be worth it to you in the future, although you seem to be a really, really nice, trustworthy, hard working guy concerned for your customers. So you might repeat.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

No, we agreed ahead of time that they would pay my shop rate for the time I spent in the beginning, they are good guys , and not looking to take advantage of me, and I am not looking to take advantage of them. They purposely bought a project car, so that they could build it together, and learn about the cars. They have done a ton of work to the car on their own, but were afraid to try to pull of an engine overhaul . I sort of just want to make sure that all parties get a fair shake. I have done a bunch of work for them before, and they know what my shop rate is.

Then I edit my original opinion: bill them for the full # of hours you worked.

[Brando]

Wow, I have a new level of respect for you Fred. I would say bill him what was agreed up front.

You provided a once in a lifetime experience for their father-son project and they must be very appreciative.

Also, if you're ever doing an m97 engine rebuilding class I'd like to take my 3.4 up to a 3.8

[WolfeMacleod]

Discount for % level of added enjoyment of a teaching experience, good time, company and conversation, etc. The more you enjoyed it, the less time it was "working"

Add back for % level of frustration and irritation. The less you enjoyed it, the more time you spent "working"

But don't cut yourself very short.

[ZOO]

Ask them what they think is fair. I love my son and an opportunity like this is priceless. I'd bet they come in higher than your shop rate. My step father is a retired class A mechanic. He NEVER charges people enough when they work with him.

I would be surprised if they tried to lowball you.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Brando

Wow, I have a new level of respect for you Fred. I would say bill him what was agreed up front.

You provided a once in a lifetime experience for their father-son project and they must be very appreciative.

Agree.

Fred, my son got his interest in working on cars and farm equipment because of a guy like you. When I needed to rebuild the tractor that came with this place, a friend of mine with outstanding tractor knowledge helped my son and I through the process.

Three weekends and a life time of memories.

Well done.

[Gogar]

Write up a bill for full price, and discount -if you want to.-

[yetibone]

Bill it out like any normal overhaul. I'm sure the Pop, and son realize what they're getting for their money; a proper, and professional engine overhaul, AND direct, hands-on lessons about how to do it. That's priceless knowledge.

Our industry needs more good guys like you, Fred.

[Baz]

Very nice gesture for you to do this, Fred. Not surprising given the tenure of your posts here through the years.

FWIW, I would charge your normal shop rates for your hours and what you would normally charge for the parts. Include all your hours including the ones spent resolving their mistakes. The value your customer and his son received far exceeds this amount. And he will know this.

Keep up the good work, Fred. We're all very proud of you, man.

[fastfredracing]

[Baz]

It's alive!

[Rikao4]

Charge them ..
be fair...
and realize..
you are now part of memories that are priceless..
well done..

Rika

[Seahawk]

Here is how it works.

I'm in DC today, working and running the company we own.

Last night, I ask my son, who is home for the summer, to work on the front end loader attachment on one of our small tractors. I noticed a missing bolt.

Jack does the CSI, finds that the bolt had sheared (my fault since I didn't keep the torque on the bolts), and goes to the local MF dealer (the friend I mentioned before).

Ten minutes of what to do, why it sheared and the best way (there are many, depending) to get the remains of the bolt out and Jack gets it done. Offers him new bolts for free.

Priceless stuff.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Your up front agreement is something I would jump on if I had a trusted shop to do such a thing the first time I tore a car apart. They were there, they know how many hours you had to be there.

Either bill the upfront agreed amount, or say you enjoyed it, there's no charge whatsoever, you didn't consider it work. I wouldn't feel right to get a discounted rate on work like this as a customer. Either charge all, or nothing.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

---snip---
Ten minutes of what to do, why it sheared and the best way (there are many, depending) to get the remains of the bolt out and Jack gets it done. Offers him new bolts for free.

Priceless stuff.

I was just thinking a little earlier that kids these days don't get enough role models.

That friend of yours, Paul - demonstrated to your son how to be a good person.

"Demonstrated" being the key word....as it will remain in his memory for his lifetime.

It really is priceless.

Again - kudos to you, Fred.

But DO charge what you should.

It's only FAIR to do so.

[Dan J]

Fred, Your a great guy and a credit to the trade
I'd charge then standard shop rate for the job

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

If a good customer, I would explain that you normally charge X to do the job but it took longer since you had to teach them a lot of things and by the hours it would have cost them Y. Tell them that since they are a valued customer, you won't charge then any additional labor rate.

If they are offended then let them walk because every time they walk through the door they will want to help so they can save money and you'll go broke working more for less.

Either way, next time they want to help tell them you are too booked up to take the extra time and you can do the job now at the regular rate or, you will call them when you have more time...

this

also, I may have to move so I am closer to Valencia, PA

[Hydrocket]

I would guess, at every opportunity, this father/son will be telling everyone how great you and your shop is. How much would it cost for that kind of advertising? Beyond that...it is clear that you now have a couple of customers for life.

Perhaps you should have a regular "rebuild a 911 class" and charge participants $xxx a head to attend the class. Sounds like you have a knack for it!

[wayner]

Gm has made a business out of this sort of thing and charges more for the experience of a lifetime!

First Customer Goes Through GM

Build Your Own LS7 or LS9 Crate Engine