Labour costs

MartynandKym
MartynandKym Forum Participant Posts: 39
First Comment
edited December 2022 in Motorhomes #1

Am I a little out of touch with the real world?

I have requested a quote from a reputable Motorhome supplier for some work required to my Truma boiler.  The parts cost is perfectly reasonable at £128.40, however the labour costs are, in my opinion, extortionate at £144 per hour.  Or am I behind the times and this is about right?

Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #2

    On some work we recently had done on our MH by the dealer the cost was £90 an hour plus vat.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2022 #3

    Another company that has overheads to pay for  that are rising almost by the week or less,

    Try a mobile engineer if possible and they can work at your home or storage

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #4

    You'll only know  if it is reasonable/the going rate is to get another quote?

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,029 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #5

    If you are getting the work done via a dealer, then it’s highly likely that the labour charges will be very high. There are lots of independent garages that are just as good at sorting out MH’s, even the living areas, and don’t charge excessive labour fees. Ideally, you need to shop around. I would check out the cost of the part as well, as dealers can and do add a bit on for this as well. Good luck👍

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #6

    Agree with TDA and our local garage/workshop is also happy for us to search out parts for ourselves,  this saves a lot of money and time.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #7

    I remember posting this before but at a service a few years ago I was told the LPG sticker had either fallen off and it was law to have one (?) so I said yes put another one of course paying for the cost of a new one. I was amazed to see they had charged, or were going to charge,£15 for fitting it!  This was down as one quarter of an hour's labour, so it was £60 per hour back then. 

    Now even taking your time, peeling off the back off the new one and pressing it in place no doubt very carefully would take maybe two minutes and not 15? Or did they start the clock walking into the shop part to collect it?

    I did query it and they said it was a mistake and we shouldn't have been charged

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited December 2022 #8

    Call Truma direct, they have a fantastic team who sort all sorts of issues. Many good things reported.

    they can't be that expensive...good luck.

  • Kasspa
    Kasspa Forum Participant Posts: 359
    edited December 2022 #9

    Just reviewed an invoice...

    For my recent Habitation check, Marquis Leisure charged £65 + VAT per hour = £78, so yes what you've been quoted appears 'extortionate'....... & I certainly wouldn't think they would be the cheapest around but would consider that decent for a 'main dealer'.....

    As others have said, contact Truma direct for cost of parts, however if it's an electronic circuit board that price wouldn't surprise me.....

    hth

    Kasspa

     

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited December 2022 #10

    My motorhome dealer charges £120+VAT. Several car dealers I know charge over £100+VAT.    Whether it is extortionate is debatable on what needs doing. For Truma work, I'd contact Truma for the nearest service agent.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2022 #11
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited December 2022 #12

    Hourly labour charges for practically anything these days has been rounded up to £100 per hour. That's not to say that some charge even more.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited December 2022 #13

    Just check the bill for the car being serviced last month...labour £60 per hour plus VAT. 

    They also do the servicing and MOT etc on the MH. Cam belt service and MOT booked for mid January. Hope the rate doesn't change...

  • Kasspa
    Kasspa Forum Participant Posts: 359
    edited December 2022 #14

    Indeed CY.

    Nissan in Peterborough charge £100, Nissan in Bedford charge £120!

    I pay £78 at an Independent Sports Car Specialist & have recently found a very honest & reliable garage for my everyday vehicle.... £50 + VAT, although he is booked up weeks in advance as you can imagine.....

  • MartynandKym
    MartynandKym Forum Participant Posts: 39
    First Comment
    edited December 2022 #15

    Okay so had the work done (new fan) and the labour cost was £114/hour + vat. Typo error apparently. 

    Problem being Truma are by nature are a specialist repair. So happy enough with bill.

  • Kasspa
    Kasspa Forum Participant Posts: 359
    edited January 2023 #16

    So £136.80, not far short of the £144 that was stated in your original post!!!

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