If I may......
$135 per hour U.S., is not bad at all. Everyone has great points made above.
A U.S. mechanic that is ASE certified, all are, or they can not legally do a plethora of repairs to your car, truck, vehicle, is being charged out by the boss at $110.00 + per hour.
That is working on American cars, Import mechanics get about $135 - $165 + now. The $110 is dirt cheap, local yokel pricing....Dealership is about $150 + per hour
Every part on your car has a time the dealers are not allowed to go over, and charge you extra. The book time on such an install would most likely be only 2 hours. More likely about 1.25
Time set up and install, and CLEAN UP.......2 hours
As pointed out, he has education, tools, and LIABILITY!!!
That's the biggie, everyone forgets about. What happens if something goes wrong a week later? You're on your way back to the installer, to have him fix it, FOR FREE!!
$135.00 for 1.25 hours of work with a technical background education, is a VERY SMALL price once you have all the facts.....Don't expect me to fix a problem outside of my install for free, at that price.....
Now you may begin to understand the cost of being self employed.
We need to make SOME profit, to protect ourselves from subservient materials. If it breaks on its own, he should be paid more to look at the problem. However, if he made a decent profit margin, and is reputable, he will diagnose it for free.
Then most likely do what is necessary to fix it afterwards.
$135.00 is a relative amount. I am currently working in heavy equipment. When I need something as simple as a hydraulic hose repaired (did 2 last Wednesday) I can expect at the very least, a 300.00 + bill for a SHORT new hose.
If I break a tooth shank on my bucket on rock, I can expect to buy a new bucket for $10,000.00 MINIMUM! Medium size bucket.
So, everything is relative, (Einstein)
A stereo for the heavy equipment is about $7,000.00 U.S.. A stereo for a Harley Davidson is about $5,000.00.
Both are pricey because of the massive vibrations they have to void. Costs big dollars for the right stuff.
Also relative, is the cost to you, vs your paycheck. If you only bring home 500 - 600 a week, then $135 is a chunk of money. If you're making 2 grand a week, then $135 is not so bad, for not having any future worries.
I will pay good deals of money, to have little or no aggravation. Allowing me to continue with my unburdened task at hand. Not two burdening tasks.......
As far as shocks and 12 volts.....
There are a few capacitors in some of these newer rolling computers, that top out at 30,000 volts.
Wont kill you, but it will let you know, why you should spend $135 smackers an hour, to be safe
$135, and a professional owns it....... Not bad in my book at all
Let the pro do it
Then all you do is enjoy it
good luck
Top notch answers Peeps
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