Most shops are not machine shops or have super clean areas to “be the hero” to put a single piston or sleeve etc in a vehicle with 100k+ on it that the owner hasn’t maintained worth a crap. It’s a liability because now you have worked on it if it spins a rod bearing 6 months from now the customer has the vehicle towed there and expects free repair
Very true, I find that in my line of work. The last person who touched it, no matter how long ago, is the guilty party.
I will examine a job very closely and then offer up my best educated opinion on the possible success rate, MTBF, and all different levels of repair if it is applicable.
Most times customers are very happy with this approach.
I have also walked away from jobs too. Customer's equipment is too old, too damaged, or in an inappropriate location (improper initial installation that caused the failure).
Having more experience in this line of work is essential (IMO) to properly repairing equipment and also staying in business.
Question then becomes - how to get the necessary experience?
Doctors, lawyers, and engineers are all experts in their field. They have diplomas to prove it. BUT, none of them have business experience and the understanding of how to run an office, comply with local, state, and federal laws regarding employment, taxes, regulations, and requirements (think of the costs of professional insurance for example) to stay in business. That's why most, if not all start with bigger firms before going out on their own. The ones who go out on their own first rarely make it as they have no acumen for the tasks required to stay in business.
Then, after gaining experience, if you want to go out on your own, have at it. At least then you kind of have an idea of what's coming. E and O in this area for engineers can cost over 14K annually.
Smaller shops may have smaller overhead, but the liability is the same. Just depends on the number of "work" pieces out on the road. A lot of small shops that don't charge a lot are one lawsuit away from bankruptcy. Doesn't matter if the customer loves you, if the claim involves potential "inferior part" or "inferior work" (not to "workman like" standard), the cost to defend puts them out of business. Don't think an insurance company won't go after the last shop with attorneys if a tire fails and someone thinks "tire alignment" was the cause. Better have good records to support the work being done right.
If the shop charging less is doing so because they are not keeping records, not keeping up with manufacturer requirements for a specific repair (think about body shops that don't follow manufacturer guidelines for welding on the high strength steels, or aluminum frame components), then the lower price you pay will at some point cost the shop more than what they can stand to stay in business. They will fail because it will come back to them at some point.
Maybe not with you, but with someone. It's only a matter of time.
Nothing wrong with supporting this local business, and good that you found them to do the work. I just suspect they charge less because they don't know any better and are underinsured, or worse, have no insurance. I hope they can stay in business and continue for years to come - good shops are hard to find!