Chris got into the business because he told me one day (at my house working on Jason Rushforth's car) that he was thinking about going out on his own.... and I told him he was a nut job if he didn't at least give it a try. At his age - what did he have to lose (besides everything).... LOL

This is not all "quite" true (except the part about wrenching on Rushforth's car at my house). :>)

This is a cool post, The way I see it the guy that is getting $105.00 an hour, He has been in the business a long time, Regardless if he just started his business 5 or 10 years ago, He was a car guy working on rusty junk before he started his own high dollar shop. Yes your going to pay, but it's going to be done right, or you go to the guy half the price and it will take twice as long, and still probably be a sh#t job in the end.

Another thing is most people that have not worked in good old dusty bodyshops, Don't realize that there is some serious health issues that I would imagine every 20 year plus bodyshop tech is going to have, It also is a trade that most people have learned through the school of hard knocks, (that's how I have learned everything). I don't care what tech school you go to or how good the guy was you worked with, You either have the talent or you don't.

I started a 1999 a dealership bodyshop in 1994 and the labor rate was $32.00 bucks an hour, I left in 04 and it was $48.00. The people reading this post need to ask themselves before they start on a project, Can I really afford it, Make a budget, Would it be fair to say a $100,000.00 car pIroject 50 would be for parts and 50 for labor? I have over 40 in my Camaro and I have done all the work.

I guess where I am going with this is It is a dying trade, I would put money on it there are less techs coming in to the trade, then there are going out.

Sorry if my english is not right on I was reading hotrod magazines in that class!

I'm not a customer, can't afford to be. I work for a company but have my own accounts and deal directly with the customer. Sometimes it's a property manager often times it's a building owner. The relationship and trust is what makes the combination work. I have customers that I've had for the last 8-9 years and they've followed me from the original shop I was at. I'm not the best mechanic, not the fastest or even the prettiest. What I've got is my word, honesty and integrity go along way when dealing with people.

I'm actually surprised that the high end shops aren't more than $105. Are the guys doing the work, say a journeymen fabricator, making $50-$60 an hour?

Great conversation!

Not to mention that Riverton accent. LOL

Most of the ones I know are doing $30-$35 an hour. The good ones. But the good ones are always cooky or on meth. And the even better ones move shop to shop looking for a better wage.

I remember when I was working a gas station at 16 thinking what I would do to work at a hot rod shop. Where are those guys, those are the guys I want working for me. The hungry and passionate.

You've got to learn to qualify your customers. That first meeting when they're asking you all sorts of questions, interviewing you, you've got to be doing the same. Last thing you need is what you describe above. That outcome isn't good for anyone on either side.

That $30-$35 is at a shop that charges around the $80 mark?

The hungry and passionate guys got into IT or Porn, pays better!

YEA I'm with you same deal working at a gas station for 2.50/hour and trying to hotrod a 53 Ford puck up. Can you imagine on 2.50 an hour!! I started the truck when I was 14. sadly I never did finish it, but Where are those guys??? send them my way.

So here's my question for THE SHOPS with finding and keeping TALENTED people....

Brizio has guys that have been with him for 20+ YEARS. What's his secret? IDK - but I'd guess that it's a combination of things... a good living wage / insurance / steady work / nice warm dry place to work that is well lit / fun customers and projects / great personality to work with and for / proper shop tools... no drama queens... PRIDE in working there etc.

Now -- I know how I am -- and doing something a few times over and over makes it so much easier and less stressful. So maybe it's also that they mostly build similar projects which makes life easier. I'm not saying any or all of these ARE the reason - I'm just tossing it out there for discussion. They also have so much work that is steady - that guys get to "specialize" which also makes life nicer? They don't have to be installing a rear end in the morning and then asked to do a full wiring job in the afternoon. The wiring guy gets to wire... the mechanical guy gets to do mechanical... the sheet metal guy isn't asked to suddenly be a bondo spreader.

Dont want to get off topic but,your going to have to look in old scrap books of yourself to find those guys. My daughter is 14 and her friends, boys or girls, have 0 interest in what her Dad does for a living or those "old" cars he drives around.:shakehead:

What would you say is the average age there at Brizio's? I have 4 fulltime guys out in the shop now, three are in their late 40's and one is in his twenties. The work ethic tends to be so much better the older they are and seem much more loyal. Weve all been busting ass for years to have what we have and truly appreciate it. Most younger guys wont hesitate to jump ship for another 50 cents an hour, not looking at the big picture. Not saying all of them are like that, (my twenty something year old I have in the shop isnt) but its just been my observation in general.

One of the major differences has to be leadership. Employees must know you appreciate them and have their back. You lead with integrity and their place is secure within your business. It's also important to help them with their personal lives. When you do these things, it's much more likely to create loyalty. You must manage them, but leadership is the key.

However, it's a fact that you can't make a duck into an eagle. You can only hone and shape people so much. They must have the rough qualities you require up front.