squeak, squeak, squeak, groaaaaaaaaaaaan, clunk. 
squeak, squeak, squeak, groaaaaaaaaaaaan, clunk.
squeak, squeak, squeak, groaaaaaaaaaaaan, clunk.

Hi Mr Sun! Hi Mr Sky! Hello fluffy clouds!
[KA-BAM! WHOP. WHOP. WHOP. WHOP...]

Oh.  Lookee.  A broken hose with fluid dripping out.

Ka-BAM! BANG BANG!  Rattle. Rattle.  BANG!
Screeeeeeeeeeeeeech.
(Temperature light comes on. Engine stalls. Smoke pours from under hood.)

PTOs. 
Plows.
Switches for "neato-stuff" and extra circuits and all sorts of electrical doo-dads.
Liftgates.
Machine gun turrets.
Roll-back bodies.
Dump bodies.
Suspension changes.

  
So how do we know what a job is gonna entail? 



»We use our experience and (unrivaled!) technical skills to decide what a job might include (what parts might be required and how much time it might take).  Because of our skills and experience, we're dead on target quite often. 

But not every job according to *plan*.

So, without a crystal ball (or x-ray vision -or- "Diagnostic Dice), we really can't be 100% certain what any job MIGHT entail.   We try to be as accurate as possible, but it's still an informed, educated "GUESS".

"So now what"? you ask... "How do you come up with a price if you are not sure what is going to happen"?

Well, there are two ways to handle a situation like this:

1. Provide a quote.
   An example of a quote would be:

This job will be exactly $1,023.88
(regardless of whether it took 10 minutes or 10 hours.
Quotes usually "favor the house"... a "quote" is a price that includes most possible outcomes.
So, regardless of whether a job went smoothly or was a hairball, every customer pays the same "highest" price.  If 98% of all jobs were easy, but every customer was charged for every worst possible scenario, the odds are in their favor.  Additionally, working under a quoted time frame often leads to shortcuts...and not all shortcuts are "just a quicker way"...) 




2. Provide an estimate.
   An example of an estimate (guesstimate) would be:

This job will probably be around $684.23
(it should take "about 4 hours and need about 10 parts..."
Estimates usually favor the client; the final invoice is ONLY for what was used and needed on THAT PARTICULAR vehicle.)   
 

We provide estimates (only) and do not provide quotes.
We feel that this is the fairest way (to everyone) of handling each individual job.   
Because 98% of jobs will be within our (reasonably) estimated time & material requirements, ALL clients will pay a fair price and not overpay.


Why don't we just provide quotes and rake in the cash?
We feel that providing quotes can make you a lot of money "in the beginning", but over time...customers wise up and go elsewhere.  We feel that a business that provides quotes is looking only at "the short term".
Our business has been around for more than 18 years and we still have our first customer.  This is the kind of company we run.  And we're pround of that. 



(And yes, we know you've heard of "that book".  The "book" that just tells us how much to charge.  What you have probably heard of is called a labor guide.)  (click to read a little about labor guides.)

  
So what happens if...? 



How do I make sure you don't go over a certain dollar amount?
To help squish your fears of (guess)timates run-amok, you can stipulate a dollar limitation right on the (guess)timate itself.
 

Can you guarantee the job will be completed in the (guess)timated time?
No. It's (guess)timated.


What happens if it isn't completed in the (guess)timated time?
We stop the job and discuss with you your options to continue.
For example, let's say you bring in a vehicle for diagnosis: we may have not isolated the problem in the estimated time.  If this happens, we'll halt where we are and discuss your further options with you.
In another example, if we are replacing an engine part and discover overheat damage that occured previously (and weren't told about-so wouldn't expect), we'd halt the job at the point of discovery and discuss with you your further options.   



What if I choose not to proceed any further? 
That's okay!  We often advise customers not to "sink too much money" into a vehicle.  The work and parts that HAVE been provided are due and payable, but you'll owe nothing beyond that point.  (That's another good point about an estimate versus a quote.  A quote would make you liable for the whole shebang.) 


You guys do a lot of work for me...  can we speed up the process?
If you find yourself approving a lot of estimates from us and would like to reduce the paperwork burden and delay, we have a Budget & Purchase Order form you can fill out that helps guide us.
It's not required, but some companies prefer the additional control it provides.