Cost of...?

[andy6374]

This guy I know has a 90's 200 Merc. I told him I would do the work on his engine instead of the shop in order to save him some money. I have done all the work on my engines so I am not good with shop prices.<br /><br />He needs:<br />New head gasket<br />Carbs cleaned<br />New tstats<br />New Water Pump<br />and Full Winterization<br /><br />What would a shop charge for this? This way I can properly scale down the charge.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Cost of...?

What's your time worth? How much time and money do you have invested in training? Or tools & equipment? <br /><br />In a worst case scenario are you willing to rebuild the motor for free next spring? ("It was running fine until you worked on it. Now it has a bad piston" -- thats usually how the conversation goes) If you take money for the work that means there is an implied warranty even if there isnt a written one. <br /><br />Also taking money for the job classifies you as commercial. Do you have the permits/license? What about charging tax? Insurance? Zoning?<br /><br />Can you properly dispose of the old fluids? The EPA takes a real dim view of that stuff these days.

 

[andy6374]

Re: Cost of...?

Forget it. He can go to the shop. I was just trying to help an aquaintence out and make a buck in the process. You make it seem as if I am about to scam the economy.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Cost of...?

Not at all. There's absolutely nothing wrong with helping a buddy but as soon as you charge for it, it becomes a whole different deal. Most likely you could help him out and nothing would happen. But I've seen this exact thing happen. And it had nothing to do with what was done to the motor in the fall. But it did go to court and once they found out the mechanic/friend took money, he was in a world of trouble.<br /><br />I saw another case where a fellow with good intensions was helping friends at home doing this kind of stuff and all went well. Until one of the boat owners told a local marina that they could get the work done much cheaper from his buddy. Then the marina heard more stories. They asked the county to look into it. Again the friend got into a bunch of trouble. <br /><br />Like I say, most likely nothing will happen. Just be aware of what could happen. <br /><br />Lots of friends tell their buddies to buy the parts and some refreshments and we'll spend the afternoon getting it fixed up. I really don't think anybody can do anything about that. Even if the guy slipped you a few bucks for helping.<br /><br />But as soon as you charge for it.......

 

[tommays]

Re: Cost of...?

i would not think that at all<br /><br />BUT i build use to build bicycle frames as a hobby and then i started to sell some at my friends shop<br /><br />well in order not to lose my house if someone every got hurt and sued i had to Incorporate<br /><br />and it just got more complex from there at the end of the day the problems of avoideing problems just took all the fun out of it so i threw in the towel<br /><br />tommays

 

[JB]

Re: Cost of...?

Please don't misunderstand, Tom. Professionals like DHadley have to charge what they do because of the costs and risks of doing business.<br /><br />Taking on the risk without the costs is foolhardy and illegal. Nothing wrong with your motives; help a buddy out and earn a few coins is an honorable thing to do. You just need to consider the downside.<br /><br />You might consider having him buy all of the needed parts and document a release of liability, then barter your labor for some non-cash consideration, but a good prosecutor could bust your chops for that, too, if he wanted to.<br /><br />If you don't want to do it for him free it is better that he take it to a pro.

 

[andy6374]

Re: Cost of...?

Thanks for the input and the different things to consider when taking on a "job". I think in the end I will avoid doing it for money, which is fine I will have enough fun just exploring a different motor, and just tell him to bring a case of cold ones.<br /><br />You also saved me from bigger headaches. I was going to put a sign on my front lawn that said "Cheap Boat Winterizations". I never thought of the consequences of the marinas finding out. <br /><br />I can just be happy knowing I don't have to deal with them for repairs and that I've got my manuals and the people here at iboats to help me along the way with new problems, which there will always be!!!<br /><br />-Thanks<br />andy<br /><br />-andy

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Cost of...?

I can confirm what everyone is telling you about the risk of helping out a friend. For years I took care of many of the neighbors cars and those of many of my close friends. I make a few bucks in the process but that came to an end when a person I knew wound up in court over a car accident. He had worked on his "friends" brakes a few days before. The accident was blamed on bad brakes. Weather was wet, poor visibility, a rear ender, and the brakes get blamed. That's when I quit. People are just too darned happy to find a shyster attorney that will haul someone, including a friend into court. It simply isn't worth it.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Cost of...?

Dont get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage you from learning. In fact I'm real big on encouraging folks to get into boating and the industry. I just feel I would be wrong if I didn't point out what I have seen in the past. I'd rather pose some "what if's" now rather than something happen to you and you think "why didnt somebody tell me???".<br /><br />In a way I'm in the same boat (so to speak). I work for an engine parts manufacturer. If I worked on someones boat and charged them, it could be considered a conflict of interest. Regardless of the legal issues. <br /><br />We manufacture certain replacement parts for outboards. Actually some OE parts too. We sell to distributors and dealers. If I charged you to fix your motor, dealers could view that as our company (represented by me, on my own time or not) being in direct competition with our customers (dealers). <br /><br />Theres no substitute for hands on learning. Helping your friends is a great way to learn. Participating in this forum is a great learning tool too. For everybody. I dont think anybody will discourage you from doing it. But I would urge you to think about charging.<br /><br />Whatever your decision, it'll be easier if you are aware of all the facts and possibilities. Who knows? It may turn into a great carrer.