Marine mechanics - any guidelines for hours billed per job?

[tmh]

When i take my car to the shop, they usually have guidelines on cost for a job. I'm not sure where the estimated hours come from, but basically they have a guideline for hours then multiply by their hourly rate. Let's say you want a brake job on a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer - they look up the hours for the job to get you a cost estimate. Is there anything similar in the marine industry?

Specifically, does Mercruiser rate the length of certain jobs, say replacing a drive or a full tune-up or whatever?

I have a situation where I had some work done and the hours got nutz, IMO. Now, I am no expert, so I am trying to get some "universal" or at least generally accepted guidelines for different jobs.

Thanks.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Marine mechanics - any guidelines for hours billed per job?

I worked in the auto business for 15 years, and you're referring to a labor guide. There are a couple companies that have "standardized" guides for specifying how long a repair "should" take under normal circumstances. (Mitchell, and All Data being two of the biggest). Most shops will then charge you their shop labor rate x the number of hours the repair specifies. The trick is, most mechanics if they are good, can get it done faster than the quote time, so the shop comes out ahead, (but sometimes you get those PITA jobs that just seem to drag on). If it's a reputable shop, it should just charge you "book time" no matter how long the "actual" time takes...

Now, I worked as a marine mechanic assistant for a bit a looong time ago, and they had something similiar for the marine industry, but sorry I can't remember the name of it. I also do remember that there were specific books for the manufacturer's, so to answer your question, YES there should be a labor rate guide that says, replacing an Alpha one, and a 5.0, should take X amount of hours... and thats what the repair facility should charge you at their labor rate.
Here is an example of one for marine:
Labor Guide

If you are doing a lot of repairs, or if you are seriously questioning the amount charged for a specific repair, it may be worth the 60 bucks to pick up the book, and have it as "ammunition" to use... it may also be that your particular repair was a lot more difficult due to salt/corrosion/wear or something, and they decided to charge you actual time... but as mentioned, most reputable places shouldn't do that... they should eat the time it takes their mechanic to complete, past the standardized time for the repair... make sense?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Marine mechanics - any guidelines for hours billed per job?

Did you get an estimate or did you make the mistake and tell them to just fix it?

Locally the law reads:
Under County law, you are entitled to a written estimate if you ask for one and the repairs will cost more than $25. The repair shop must have a sign posted that advises you of this right. The shop is allowed to charge you for the time spent preparing a written estimate. The final repair bill may not exceed a written or oral estimate by more than 10% without your prior authorization. However, oral estimates are often hard to prove.

 

[oops!]

Re: Marine mechanics - any guidelines for hours billed per job?

yep....there is book time.....

what job was it?

 

[tmh]

Re: Marine mechanics - any guidelines for hours billed per job?

OK, digging up this thread now because I have the info i need to procede with a small claims court action if needed.

The mechanic in question quoted me 6-8 hours to R & R both velvet drives in my 1988 twin inboard cruiser. these are velvet drives with 1.91:1 ratio; direct inboards off of mercruiser big block engines. One was replaced with a reconditioned one i had for them in a crate. the other they actually only had to reverse the pump after uninstalling it then re-install.

Anyhow, long story but the shop made up other work they had done then billed me for 24hr. labor for the drives and carb adjustments and timing work. When I questioned the total and asked for an itemized bill I was told, "oh no, it was 6-8 hours per drive" plus 8 other hours. This was after days of letters back and forth. thing is, no way i misunderstood - I was comparing their time quote to two others which were also in the 3-4 hr. per drive range for R & R.

Does anyone have the page in a time estimate book to share with me? Or cite page and book and I'll buy it if needed, but I only need it for this.

Thanks!