I do work for friends & coworkers sometimes. Nothing extreme, just day jobs like brakes, oil changes, radiators etc. I charge $50-60 an hour. They usually say "that's it? You sure?" Not sure what a fair rate is. I want to give them a break but I also don't enjoy spending all Saturday greasy and sweaty. What do others charge? Shops in my area are all over $100 but even though I have all the tools, it's just my house... A miserable drum break job made me start thinking
Don't pay them in advance or they'll take your money and never be seen again like "Semper Fi Mechanic" in ________ Ohio (he may be other places.) I left a negative review and he may have done the FBM and deleted it, I don't know don't care, I did what I could they may just keep deleting so I left it twice I did what I could . Warning to all.. don't be gullible, like me.
If talking about reputable mechanics.. I believe they would charge something like what
@Chris142 stated.
If you're talking about a known quantity ethical person that won't just say they can do anything and then want payment and disappear and not respond to phone calls, it's that simple.. I think the general public "expects" about half the rate
@Chris142 said. Which means your post just about nailed it.
Depends on the job and the person, of course.
Watch this video if you work on other peoples crap at your house or as a mobile mechanic.
@skyactiv's post with a video Midway up Page 1, Post #9
His (not skyactiv's) entire channel is basically fabricated, he is lying. He is one of the three YouTubers I no longer deal with and do talk about... states he won the judgement "On Court on Saturday." I have dealings with him and he is a scammer. Brief spats of seeming to "get it together" but it is the same M.O. Please beware of mobile mechanics such as himself. There are too many good ones.
Such as Brian's Mobile Mechanic a.k.a. Roadside Rescue. ACTUAL content of ACTUAL working on cars. Not a scam/money grab, with no work and stories .
Here is a rags to riches guy with no scam.
Other good ones are out there.