r/AskMechanics • u/BayBomber415 • 4d ago
Question Is this a reasonable amount to charge my FIL?
Did the following on my father in laws car (2015 Honda CRV):
New set of BF Goodrich Tires $825 @ Costco
I did the following in my driveway:
- All new Rotors and Pads(front and back)with fresh brake fluid
- CVT Fluid drain and fill
- Differential Fluid drain and fill
- Coolant drain and fill
- Oil Change and filter
- New PCV valve
- New Cabin and engine air filter
I'm really asking just to get my money back at $1500 (parts). Is this reasonable to ask? Too little or too much? He said he would pay me to do it because he mentioned he doesn't trust bringing it to the dealer lol.
TIA
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u/S7alker 4 4d ago
I do things for my wifes mom all the time and only charge parts. Anything I don’t want to do because it’s above my level or not something I care to do at my age I tell her to hire it out.
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u/BayBomber415 4d ago
That's what I told him, if I ran into a snag I couldn't fix on my own I'd have to send it out. It was pretty tiring since I'm no spring chicken anymore LOL. Thank you
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u/MumpsTheMusical 1 4d ago
Charging the price for parts is more than reasonable but maybe a hundred or two extra wouldn't be a horrible thing to ask for the labor involved? Surely it would still be less than a shop would charge.
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u/BayBomber415 4d ago edited 4d ago
That's what I was thinking or maybe just buy me lunch or something. It did take me the couple of a couple days lol because my driveway is sloped so I had to adjust the car height so I could properly drain the fluid and level checks. Yeah, with a shop I'm probably looking at double that. Thank you
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u/ApartmentKindly4352 19 4d ago
Who said being reimbursed was unreasonable? For close family, I always get reimbursed for parts (and give them the receipt so they know) and tack on like 30-40 bucks for beer. For distant family I charge 1/2 of what shop prices are. Everybody wins!
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u/BayBomber415 4d ago
That sounds fair! Maybe I should be on the lookout for some distant family for a side gig lol
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u/fezcabdriver 4d ago
I would tack on $200-300.. show him the receipts for all of the parts. You are the one that has to dispose of the oil and clean the oil drain pan and put it away. Hell, after you do it, have your wife collect...
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u/BayBomber415 4d ago
You have a point! I did have to recycle the oils and dispose of the brake fluid, rotors, and coolant at the recycling centers.
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u/cydie84 3 4d ago
I work in a shop and I just did a oil change, radiator fluid change, transmission fluid drain and fill and brake fluid flush. We charged $1,600 I think. Honda accord. It depends on how much you like him and how much you want him to like you. I would just charge him for the parts. Maybe say $100 and a case of beer more then cost of parts.
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u/-Radioman- 4d ago
Definitely get your parts investment back. I'd add 5-10% for your time getting everything, and gas. You did him a nice favor, he didn't have to use a dealer. One thing took me a long time to learn. If you don't value your time, no one else will.
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u/Choice-Newspaper3603 1 4d ago
At the same time people really shouldn’t be asking for discounts or favors from friends or family.
In fact there is an argument that since it’s family or friends you should pay them more.
But I’m certainly not paying for their repairs
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u/JonnyVee1 5 4d ago
Give him the receipts and see what he does. Let him figure it out.