My shop is at $88 an hour, which after overheads & the costs of just "being in business" leaves an average living. First & foremost, I'm damn good at what I do and have no qualms charging accordingly. Sounds high to the guy off the street, but the cost of government compliance is the killer for anyone in small business. It seems you need a license or permit just to have a piss in your own dunny these days. And then we're unpaid tax collectors (god help anyone who get's that wrong) & the keepers of the general community. Don't forget that shop owner is paying someone's, super annuation, holidays, sick leave & whatever else. Chuck in the stress of being "politically correct" & under scrutiny all the time or else! You only have to look at an employee the wrong way & you can be in for a torrid ride with the authority's. You can 'fix" engine in your back yard & if it forks up, you get to tell your "client to go jump. If I fix an engine & it forks up & don't do the right thing I get do deal with legal aid, lawyers & all sorts of ombudsmen. I think anyone who wants some work done should be thankful that they can find a legitimate shop to do it.
Apparently the guy hanging on to the traffic stick where there are road works is on about $40 an hour or so with no overheads or compliance payment, or ramifications for anything. Maybe I should do that.
K