"Book time" on two Honda brake repair items?

[NormanBuntz]

I just had a sticking rear brake caliper after my Ridgeline was stored in my garage for nearly 5 months. I supplied a new caliper and brake hose kit from Rock Auto, which my indie mechanic has allowed me to do in previous repairs. The shop charged 1.3 hours to replace the caliper and 1.44 hours to replace a single brake hose and bleed the brake system. I realize the difference between book time and hourly rate work, but were these labor charges reasonable considering some of the work was redundant? Just asking.

 

[bdcardinal]

Considering they didn't make anything on the parts side, that sounds reasonable. That being said, they could have lowered the hose rate since half of it was already done with the caliper replacement. Did they quote the job beforehand?

 

[Hall]

Should have asked for an estimate beforehand. If you do, they know you're "checking" and would have probably combined (or partially) the job times. That said, almost 2 hours for a single brake hose and bleed seems way excessive. That sounds like it could be the rate for all (4) wheels.

 

[CKN]

As stated. Probably went "heavy" on the labor because you supplied your own parts. You didn't do the repair yourself-for whatever reason(s).
Be happy if it's done right.
Where I live-you can supply your own parts-but it's a standard " no warranty" on the repair for doing so.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Should have asked for an estimate beforehand. If you do, they know you're "checking" and would have probably combined (or partially) the job times. That said, almost 2 hours for a single brake hose and bleed seems way excessive. That sounds like it could be the rate for all (4) wheels.

My mechanic in a small town charges $120 an hour for labor. At first, he gave me an estimate of $200 labor to replace the caliper and $100 labor to do a brake system flush. I decided to replace a brake hose due to age but to delete the brake flush since the fluid was only 18 months old. I guess that opened the door for a price change. Total bill with tax was $386 with no brake fluid change.

 

[GSCJR]

Considering they didn't make anything on the parts side, that sounds reasonable.

+1, very reasonable.

 

[NormanBuntz]

As stated. Probably went "heavy" on the labor because you supplied your own parts. You didn't do the repair yourself-for whatever reason(s).
Be happy if it's done right.
Where I live-you can supply your own parts-but it's a standard " no warranty" on the repair for doing so.

I've been retired for 20 years and that work was above my pay grade and experience level.

 

[Hall]

Total bill with tax was $386

For caliper replacement, (1) brake hose, and bleeding air ? I wouldn't complain about that, to be honest.

 

[Donald]

I've been retired for 20 years and that work was above my pay grade and experience level.

I find brakes pretty easy to work on. Why did you go for a new caliper if it was just the pin that was sticking? Could be the pin needed to be cleaned and lubed. Or pin and boot replaced. I would only replace the caliper if the piston was not easily retracting.

 

[NormanBuntz]

I find brakes pretty easy to work on. Why did you go for a new caliper if it was just the pin that was sticking? Could be the pin needed to be cleaned and lubed. Or pin and boot replaced. I would only replace the caliper if the piston was not easily retracting.

My mechanic would not use a caliper repair or rebuild kit. He wanted either a new or remanufactured caliper, so I chose a new one. I didn't even bother to price a new Honda caliper. Bought a caliper by Ultra Power for $53, so at least that was inexpensive.

 

[Donald]

My mechanic would not use a caliper repair or rebuild kit. He wanted either a new or remanufactured caliper, so I chose a new one. I didn't even bother to price a new Honda caliper. Bought a caliper by Ultra Power for $53, so at least that was inexpensive.

Did you look at old caliper? Was the pin rusted or pitted or just cruded or dry? I can see not wanting to do the rebuild, pistons, etc. But just replacing the pin & boot should be something the mechanic should be willing to do. It's all of 5 or 10 minutes work

 

[zzyzzx]

DIY or pay up.

 

[D60]

If you think he's conscientious and does a thorough job, it's worth it. Sometimes with labor you also get what you pay for.

Little things like making sure the copper washers are thick enough (I just had another SunSong with .030" which go straight to the trash) and checking lube on slider pins can go a long way.

And yeah, no consumer likes it but for the industry parts mark-up is necessary or labor rates need to go up 30 to 50% (guessing). So, pay $100/hr plus mark-up or pay $150/hr and no mark-up (again, very rough figures). Most shops would shutter otherwise.

I'm not saying OP was wrong to provide his own parts, but it really is kind of the analogy of bringing your own steak to a steakhouse and wanting them to cook it for less than menu price. Their entire business model is predicated on making some profit on the food itself.

But the OP and the indy are adults so whatever they agree to is whatever they agree to. Each transaction can be unique as long as all parties are on board.

 

[KrisZ]

My mechanic would not use a caliper repair or rebuild kit. He wanted either a new or remanufactured caliper, so I chose a new one. I didn't even bother to price a new Honda caliper. Bought a caliper by Ultra Power for $53, so at least that was inexpensive.

What happened to the original caliper? Did your mechanic keep it, or was it turned in for a core charge?
If you got rid of it, unfortunately you traded a superior caliper for a junk unit.

You will likely have issues with that caliper in the near future, unless you're lucky and got a decently made unit.

 

[Hall]

My mechanic would not use a caliper repair or rebuild kit.

Did you look at old caliper?

Sure sounds like @NormanBuntz isn't that interested in doing car repairs anymore and has "his" indie mechanic doing work for him nowadays (or always has).

 

[NormanBuntz]

Sure sounds like @NormanBuntz isn't that interested in doing car repairs anymore and has "his" indie mechanic doing work for him nowadays (or always has).

I do my share of DIY work. Not every forum member is an experienced wrencher. Most of us look for advice, not snarky replies.

 

[Hall]

I do my share of DIY work. Not every forum member is an experienced wrencher. Most of us look for advice, not snarky replies.

I was defending you

 

[rijndael]

I was defending you

It came across like a left-handed compliment ...

 

[JTK]

Given ~$300 per corner is standard these days for new pads and rotors done by a shop (parts and labor), this sounds fair.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Seems a bit excessive to me but I’m also one who discounts labor a lot because I want to help people out. So since replacing the caliper anyway I’d have thrown in the labor for the hose and just charged for the caliper and bleeding labor. Everyone is different though and skilled labor isn’t cheap these days and working in this industry I know I’m one of the few who discounts labor. I’d probably have charged 1.5 for both because that’s plenty of time on that. To be fair to that guy our service pricing on calipers is usually like 2.2 hours or whatever depending on the vehicle but I can’t bring myself to charge someone that for that. And a brake service is on our menu price so it’s 1 hour total.