OPG AND CS

[smann]

My cars in the shop getting it's paxton supercharger install... They just finished the OPG and CS. It's been in the shop all week and they said just the OPG and CS took them about 14 hours... Does that sound reasonable?

They originally quoted me 16-18 hours for supercharger install and OPG CS, don't think that achievable now.

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[Grimace427]

Quoted labor time and actual time on the clock aren't necessarily the same. If they quoted you 16 hours and that is what you agreed to then that is what you will pay regardless of how long it takes them to complete the job.

 

[TooSoonJunior]

Quoted labor time and actual time on the clock aren't necessarily the same. If they quoted you 16 hours and that is what you agreed to then that is what you will pay regardless of how long it takes them to complete the job.

Not really, a lot of shops local to me still charge actual hours, the estimate is just that, an estimate, so it's on your dime if it takes them longer. This is why around by me shops have become so specialized to a few makes and models, so that they are good at what they do and dont have to deal with customers pissing and moaning. But its a double edge sword, I have been through a few jobs with 6-7 hour estimates with the work done in 3. All comes down to trusting the garage.

14 hours for the OPG and CS is embarrassing. I have never opened or wrenched on this platform before, and I had my gears changed out and engine buttoned back up in about 6 hours.

 

[smann]

Not really, a lot of shops local to me still charge actual hours, the estimate is just that, an estimate, so it's on your dime if it takes them longer. This is why around by me shops have become so specialized to a few makes and models, so that they are good at what they do and dont have to deal with customers pissing and moaning. But its a double edge sword, I have been through a few jobs with 6-7 hour estimates with the work done in 3. All comes down to trusting the garage.

14 hours for the OPG and CS is embarrassing. I have never opened or wrenched on this platform before, and I had my gears changed out and engine buttoned back up in about 6 hours.

I was thinking 14 hours is too much also lol.. I could have did it at home in that time. Due to lack of time I had to get someone else to do it.

The guys I'm getting it done from are supposedly reputable (from what I hear). My first time going to them anyways

 

[TooSoonJunior]

In the grand scheme of things, if you think about 14 hours, thats one full day (8) and a little more than half a second day (6) for one guy. While it sounds reasonable, this job can be done quicker than that by any moderate mechanic.

I would express your unhappiness and see if they can cap your total cost to include the procharger, so things dont run to the moon cost wise. Procharger is a VERY easy bolt on install.

 

[Rick@LASTREETCARS]

Time quotes and timekeeping are done in many ways for shops.

Some shops will quote hours and time based on physical hours in a day it takes to do a job, but if they have 2 people doing the work, they double the hours.

It's not unforeseeable that it took 14+ hours for this part of the work, if two people did the work, but you don't really need 4 hands on that job, and if/when you do, it's for minimal stuff. It's easy to bill 20 hours in a 10 hour day with 2 people on the job - but neither of them are full time on the work in reality.

The whole job should be 2 days of work - roughly 16-20 hours total, for a single mechanic...maybe 10-14 for 2 guys. It may take 5 days to get the job done, but that's not dedicated time on the car. The blower install is basically less than a day and 2 people are needed and a few points in time during install. If they take their time and haven't done too many, it will take longer.

If you were quoted a not to exceed number, or a fixed fee for the install, they can't charge you any more that what you agreed to without your approval or some other notification that should be on the invoice and work order too.

Something else to note, many shops can do this work in less hours too...that's experience for ya. That doesn't necessarily mean you will be charged less too. There is a value proposition in their ability to do 8-10 hours of work in 6...they make more money and can bill for more hours in the day, because they are experienced and proficient. If the job is worth the dollars quoted, hours mean nothing...bottom line.

If they quoted you a range of hours, but added that actual time and material will be billed...different story there. They still need to keep you updated on costs when they reasonably approach going over budget.

We usually do that too, but re-assess at about 50% and 80% completion with status and daily calls to our customers...not everyone does that and when they don't, you end up with surprises.

The only surprises I like is when customers get more than they paid for and realize it...

 

[higdominator]

That's just absurd. I did my OPG/CS AND Paxton install, fuel pumps, custom vacuum block, etc. in that time, by myself. I also don't do sloppy work. Sounds like they had lunch and dinner on your dime, IMO.

By chance do you know what their hourly rate is?

 

[Performance nut]

That is why I do small jobs with a mechanic first to see how they operate.

• If they finish on time on budget, then they get repeat business.
• If they finish on time but higher than expected but did a really good job, they get difficult jobs that I don't trust anyone else on but nothing else.
• If they finish on budget but took longer than expected and did a really good job, they get all the jobs that are not time sensitive (which is usually most of my work).
• If they are neither on time/on budget with average work or the work overall is below average, they are black flagged by me and I spread the word to my friends to stay away.

Quite a few people will jump straight to the "they are a crook" analogy if they come in higher than quoted due to increased labor time. That might be the case but I usually go with the more likely that these guys don't know what they are doing with my model car. Since I'm not in the business to pay for someone else's education, I'll take my business somewhere else. Some guys are good, some are good at very specific things, and others just think they are good.

To me, sounds like you guy is in the business of educating his mechanics at your expense. I'd take my car somewhere else for future jobs.

 

[smann]

That's just absurd. I did my OPG/CS AND Paxton install, fuel pumps, custom vacuum block, etc. in that time, by myself. I also don't do sloppy work. Sounds like they had lunch and dinner on your dime, IMO.

By chance do you know what their hourly rate is?

Their hourly rate is $90/hr.
I guess I gotta go in and argue with these guys lol.

They told me the car will be ready by next week Tuesday.. Meaning there'll prob be some more hours added onto that. I'm okay up to 16-18 hours. Past that is pushing it

 

[Performance nut]

By chance do you know what their hourly rate is?

It's California, it is going to be something insanely high.

 

[Rick@LASTREETCARS]

That is why I do small jobs with a mechanic first to see how they operate.

• If they finish on time on budget, then they get repeat business.
• If they finish on time but higher than expected but did a really good job, they get difficult jobs that I don't trust anyone else on but nothing else.
• If they finish on budget but took longer than expected and did a really good job, they get all the jobs that are not time sensitive (which is usually most of my work).
• If they are neither on time/on budget with average work or the work overall is below average, they are black flagged by me and I spread the word to my friends to stay away.

Quite a few people will jump straight to the "they are a crook" analogy if they come in higher than quoted due to increased labor time. That might be the case but I usually go with the more likely that these guys don't know what they are doing with my model car. Since I'm not in the business to pay for someone else's education, I'll take my business somewhere else. Some guys are good, some are good at very specific things, and others just think they are good.

To me, sounds like you guy is in the business of educating his mechanics at your expense. I'd take my car somewhere else for future jobs.

Well written! I was going to expand too that shops should not charge you to learn on their dime...unless they are upfront about it and you're OK with it of course...

 

[smann]

That is why I do small jobs with a mechanic first to see how they operate.

• If they finish on time on budget, then they get repeat business.
• If they finish on time but higher than expected but did a really good job, they get difficult jobs that I don't trust anyone else on but nothing else.
• If they finish on budget but took longer than expected and did a really good job, they get all the jobs that are not time sensitive (which is usually most of my work).
• If they are neither on time/on budget with average work or the work overall is below average, they are black flagged by me and I spread the word to my friends to stay away.

Quite a few people will jump straight to the "they are a crook" analogy if they come in higher than quoted due to increased labor time. That might be the case but I usually go with the more likely that these guys don't know what they are doing with my model car. Since I'm not in the business to pay for someone else's education, I'll take my business somewhere else. Some guys are good, some are good at very specific things, and others just think they are good.

To me, sounds like you guy is in the business of educating his mechanics at your expense. I'd take my car somewhere else for future jobs.

I agree 100%.

The only reason I went to this guy to begin with is they told me they've installed about 10 superchargers on the S550 mustang. I was sold on that..
Problem with living in Toronto is not many guys down here supercharge there s550. There's too many damn JDM/Euro car guys here and a lot of guys with STOCK mustangs. So pretty much every reputable mechanic I went to told me "I've never installed it before so it'll take longer". And I went to places that are well known and have built crazy drag cars.

 

[Rick@LASTREETCARS]

I agree 100%.

The only reason I went to this guy to begin with is they told me they've installed about 10 superchargers on the S550 mustang. I was sold on that..
Problem with living in Toronto is not many guys down here supercharge there s550. There's too many damn JDM/Euro car guys here and a lot of guys with STOCK mustangs. So pretty much every reputable mechanic I went to told me "I've never installed it before so it'll take longer". And I went to places that are well known and have built crazy drag cars.

At least it sounds like you've got some good honest guys to work with ...

 

[smann]

It's California, it is going to be something insanely high.

Toronto, Canada!

 

[smann]

At least it sounds like you've got some good honest guys to work with ...

Yeah.. Let's just hope there estimate of 16-18 hours of labor doesn't end up costing me an arm and a leg

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