What does it take to start a Hotrod Shop?

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by nvr2fst

Id like to know who's only charging 48.00 an hour for collision work. I just had my daughters Mazda 6S she trashed in the first snow fall we had a couple of weeks ago. Labor rate was 60.00 at ABRA in the Milwaukee area and they did a "fair" job. Collision shop repair trade practices are regulated by Chapter 132 here in WI. administered by the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Hot Rod shops do not have to follow those guidelines.
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Dave, Most areas are in the 42.00 to 50.00 an hour range for collision repair. Most shops are locked in to what agreements they have with ins companys that they do work for under a contract (DRP Direct Repair Program). Most ins companys go by the prevailing rate for that area. It's a big long discussion that would take up way to much space on Lateral -G. Most ins companys will say that they do not tell shops what to charge BUUUUT they will tell you that there is a shop down the block that will do it for only X amount labor rate and they don't charge us for all the extras that you have on your estimate. You get where I'm going with it.