Things always seem to cost more than I think they should

[Donald]

Got the transmission drain & filled along with filter changed, front and rear diff gear drain & fill, xfer case drain & fill, both diesel fuel filters changed.

I supplied the lubricants. The diff covers needed to be pulled and installed back on, no drain plug.

The bill was just over $700. Seems like a lot.

 

[MRC01]

Yeah it seems like a lot. Was it really 7 hours of labor? For that price it should be.
Of course they should have given you an estimate beforehand, so it should not be a surprise.
When things seem to cost more than you think they should, it often means you're getting old.
I resemble that, BTW.

 

[JavierH19]

$700? That's too much in labor. I wonder how much it would've been if you didn't supply the oils. As for the diff covers the gaskets aren't expensive. But that's lame no drain bolts on them. Can you post the itemized bill just with personal info folded out of sight or marked out.

 

[supton]

Yeah, post the bill. Seems high, but, it's a big truck.

Did you demand Amsoil or something? I wonder if pricey fluid plus high labor charges on an oversized vehicle (plus an upcoming boat payment) was behind this.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I HATE when they don't include a drain plug

Do they make aftermarket covers for your F250 that have a drain plug?

 

[RooflessVW]

Yeah it seems like a lot. Was it really 7 hours of labor?

You mean 3.5?

Probably.

 

[Oillover]

Ya, that seems too high. Especially since you provided the fluids.
I could see maybe 4-500 at most.

 

[benjy]

sounds $$$pendy to me!! thats why i DIY whenever i can! your location means a lot for sure BUT still $$$ as a pro should be able to handle that in a few hrs, unless he stands + watches each fluid drain!!!!

 

[wings&wheels]

So the bill d/n include fluids, but does include filters? $700 for labor, 2 fuel and one trans filter, maybe some minor consumables like cleaner, etc. and disposal fee for the fluids? Not inexpensive but I don't see it as completely unreasonable.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Was it on your F250? For some reason, those things are ridiculously expensive to work on.

 

[clinebarger]

You mean 3.5?

Probably.

I charge $120 an hour on passenger cars & 1/2 trucks.....$150 an hour on 3/4 ton & 1 ton. $200 an hour on the East or West coasts sounds about right.

 

[Rand]

HVAC makes this look like bargain...
Friend's furnace blower died.. its a trane 2 stage nothing super fancy.
1800+

oh and they jacked it up somehow.. now it wont turn off.

Not sure which blower it was but I see about 20 options from $150-$500

House is large 4 bedroom

 

[leadcounsel]

Got the transmission drain & filled along with filter changed, front and rear diff gear drain & fill, xfer case drain & fill, both diesel fuel filters changed.

I supplied the lubricants. The diff covers needed to be pulled and installed back on, no drain plug.

The bill was just over $700. Seems like a lot.

Totally reasonable IMO. Maybe cheap overall today. Factor in reality we've had probably 40% inflation since 2020. About 15% annually.

In 2019 I paid close to that, for similar work (new CV Boot, power steering flush/fill, transmission filter, spill and fill). It was about $825, and I didn't supply any materials. That shop is very fair and honest, but I think 20% higher priced than another shop I use.

Some vehicles are more complex than others. Dropping a tranny pan is not a small task, generally requires a lift. Pulling diff covers is messy and time consuming as well. These are not particularly hard but somewhat labor intensive, sometimes requiring 2 people (double labor charge?). Might be a lift-fee as well.

$700 for labor for transmission and diff, dropped and opened, serviced, fuel filters, etc.. Verdict: Reasonable. Maybe even under-charged in 2023 dollars.

 

[dishdude]

Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Rand]

Sounds reasonable to me.

seems high to me 700$ including all the fluids etc would be ok though.

 

[dishdude]

seems high to me 700$ including all the fluids etc would be ok though.

Trans fluid change which I assume required a pan drop, front and rear diff fluid changes requiring the covers to be pulled, transfer case fluid change and two fuel filter changes for $700 labor? Doesn't sound at all unreasonable to me.

 

[wpod]

I would guess the price is ball park especially if the quality of the work was there. The Wife had a 2002 F250 with the diesel engine and now she has a 2018 F350 with the 6.2 gas and I have done the maintenance, it is time consuming to change the diffs and clean the RTV , change the trans oil and filter do the trans case and I wouldn't know about the diesel fuel filters. Half a day + clean up and paperwork.

 

[JRed]

It's a new-ish diesel F250. Nothing cheap about owning them.

 

[Donald]

So the bill d/n include fluids, but does include filters? $700 for labor, 2 fuel and one trans filter, maybe some minor consumables like cleaner, etc. and disposal fee for the fluids? Not inexpensive but I don't see it as completely unreasonable.

I provided all the filters. Transmission pan gasket is reusable. Unsure about diff covers.

 

[Donald]

$700? That's too much in labor. I wonder how much it would've been if you didn't supply the oils. As for the diff covers the gaskets aren't expensive. But that's lame no drain bolts on them. Can you post the itemized bill just with personal info folded out of sight or marked out.