Should a shop really charge 6 hrs labor at $120/hr for installation of some coilovers on my 996tt?

If not, how many hours should they charge for?

 

That's a reasonable number.
I was a superbike mechanic in my youth and still turn wrenches. It took me about an 8hr day being careful. Some of that time was modifying an appropriate ball joint tool.
See if that includes your alignment/corner balance. That would be decent.

 

That's not a crazy number of hours. The rate is a little high. Independent shop rates are usually $100 an hour in Cali. (Does those hours include ride height adjustment, alignment and/or corner balance?) Try it yourself if you think you can do it faster, its not as easy as it looks (assuming you have a floor lift and the other proper tools). Before you haul off and spend the labor hours for just coil overs make sure you have other the other mods you need to make it work right (donebones, toe links, drop links etc). Once the suspension is apart, these other mods take very little time to install.

 

Or in my area 8hrs at $100/hr. Should be close. It is pretty reasonable if included alignment.

 

I doubt it would include corner balance. There is one shop in my area charge corner balance+alignment 5-7hrs at $90/hrs. He say he use chip to lock mechanic time and charge accordingly. And it is always 5-7 hours. I get scared and never try it. I heard he does good job though.

 

I highlighted this gentleman's post in the quote because he raises a good point. I don't usually mind more hours devoted to labour if it means they are doing it more carefully and accurately.

 

I did mine, on a lift, with some help, and it was about 5-6 hours. That's not including alignment, corner balance, etc...JUST install. Could do it in a little less now that I have done it, but 3-5 hours is about right for a good clean install. Rate is area dependant. It's $120 an hour here too

 

Don't feel bad I paid $2028.83 for labor to 911 Design to get a set of Motons installed, with corner balance and alignment. To be fair to them I furnished the Used Motons. They installed them several times saying that parts are missing or wrong. I would think a shop of that caliber would know when things are missing. but I paid.

 

I think our book shows 6.7 hours. So, that seems good.

 

Labor a little high, a P car race shop quoted me $110/hr, alignment and corner balancing not included. Hours are correct.

I would consider adding pillowball mounts and camber plates (Tarret, Mode, etc.) too.

 

According to the book, that's about right. However, most people with some experience can probably get it done in 4 or less.

While most people use the "book" as a measure to charge customers for labor hours, we typically go by real time. If we spend 3 hours on the job and the book says 6, we charge you for 3. I personally feel that's much more fair for the customer.

Every car is different though. Depending on the condition of the existing parts, bolts, etc, the job could take much longer. My statement above is assuming that everything goes smoothly, or at least with minimal obstacles.

 

it really annoys me that more shops dont do this

 

$120 is about right in the Bay Area. Dealer charges like $160.

 

Well it's a catch-22 of sorts. From both the customer and shop perspective, it's fair. And at the end of the day our goal is to be fair to out customers and make them happy. That being said, it can sometimes be more costly for a customer. If they have tons of seized or rusted bolts on their car, some jobs can also extend beyond the "book" time, which can end up costing a customer more money. But that's when good communication comes into play. If you spend the time explaining to your customer exactly what was done, and why it took longer, most people are more happy that you took the time to do the job properly, and won't necessarily be upset that it took a little longer.

 

+1
I think the "book" time is actually protecting the customers than the shop.