Mechanic Side Jobs $$$ Tips & Advice in 2022 

When I was getting started, I would only work on vehicles of people I knew. Of course, I grew up in the area I was working and had lots of friends and acquaintances, so I had no shortage of work. Many times I would pass on jobs if I thought the person was going to be too picky or if the liability was too high.

Did a side shop on Nextdoor for 2 years. Just a few times a week. Made a killing. I only worked on 10 years and newer BMW and Toyota . Most of my customers had extra vehicles so I never had to rush. I worked out of my 2 car garage. Once I had awesome reviews. No one questioned my garage shop. I protected myself and had proof of emails and text of conversations. I took pics of the old parts next to the new. Only had 2 nightmare customer. The main lesson I learned was. Don’t do charity cases or work on crappy cars. Was threatened to go to court twice. Thank god I had proof that the car should not be driven.

I tried doing side jobs, really hated it, takes too much time between answering calls, making estimates, getting parts, doing the actual repair, and then having to answer all the follow up questions. One conclusion I made: if you value work/life balance - side jobs just don't work, because people will start calling you in the middle of the week - "ever since you worked on my car bla bla bla". And all the liability is on you. Thats why you either go all in, running your own business, get liability insurance and all that good stuff or stay out of it completely. Otherwise you'll end up working at work full time and then working at home all night and weekends.. Flipping cars is a way better side hustle cause you do it when it's convenient for you, you can take as much or as little time as you want, and you don't have to warranty anything - cars are sold as is.

I needed to hear this. Church for mechanics. Subscribed

I'm currently doing side job, same way with you about charging customer base on hour. But I always inspect the car before I decided to take care of it. I also explain to the customer about the job and parts, I feel the side job help me to improve my communication and build up my sale experience for my future if I can't perform mechanic side so I can become service adviser.

I do mobile mechanic work and yes customers always want it cheap because your mobile and think your the same as a tree shade mechanic from the barrio that will do it for a 6pack. And honestly I’m already cheaper than any shop and they still want it cheaper

Nice to have you back on youtee bro awesome

Let me say something about the liability. Being in the hydraulic world I’ve learned that if a professional mechanic works on a job and cuts a corner, because his boss or customer said to, if someone is hurt the mechanic will be sitting in court explains why he new better. At this point the judge will look at you, ask how much money was saved by cutting the corner (say it’s $240.00), then he’ll turn to the widow and say “we’ll Mam, these professionals decided that your families life style and your husband weren’t worth $240.00 No matter how good of an attorney, no matter whom else testified, no matter if your boss AND customer testify that they told you to do it wrong, the judge will look you square in the eyes and say “YOU’RE the professional, YOU knew better, GUILTY!” This isn’t made up, I watched it happen, in the real word with real lives being directly affected. So, if you’re going to become a mechanic, fix shit right the first time, or DON’T FIX IT AT ALL!!

Awesome topic man love the video

“This is not OfferUp…” 😂😂😂 Don’t sell yourself short. Thanks for the vid! 🙏🏽

SOLID advise!

Great no nonsense advice!

Damn, i charge 200/book hr. I dont mark up parts, but at 16 years experience, master certified, and i cover anything i break and offer warranty if its something i touched. I also invoice and take cc. But, i also specialize in luxury euro/exotic. Cheers mate, keep up your hard work!

Loving the videos buddy. I appreciate this is a lot to ask so you do you, but as a hobbyist/diy'er I'd be very interested to see more tutorials on how to do X Y Z on the car like how you did the LS400 content. Keep it up mate

When I worked at a Toy dealer (helping customers on the front end), many of the techs that worked Sundays did side jobs after the shop closed for the day. I think most dealerships discourage this now. I agree, you do a side job like you do on your regular hours and your customers will always come back and also refer others to you.

That intro never gets old. Love it!

I usually stick to relatively simple jobs, and only do work for people who have another car

I always advise customers to use OE parts because of the same reason. I’ll put the autozone part in and if it fails or doesn’t work then it’s not my problem

I slowly phased out doing them just because most of the issues with trying to talk me down on my prices / or doing it on my time being an issue , bad parts replacement etc … got overwhelming. plus I breakdown gas ,labor ,tools ,time into perfecting my craft(school) into the labor time .

You live and you learn man

Made that same rookie mistake of taking on a job that I had no idea what I was doing it was some electrical diagnostic with lights or something. Sucked having to say to the customer that I’m an idiot lol

I used to have a Mobile Auto Repair business and charged a Minimum cash 180 dollars 💵 applied to the work. Sometimes it would be something simple like a misfire and the fix would be simply to attach the spark plug cable and be on my way. However sometimes I can get a Honda with a broken timing belt and in that situation the cost goes up dramatically because of bent valves or worse yet a valve that knocked a hole through the piston. No matter what..... I always get my 180 dollars 💵 for my experience and ⌚ Time. No Free Lunch!

Also- you may drop a socket into the abyss and the time to get that socket out.

In new England you can't go by book time I live in maine and jobs that should take an hour can easily turn into a full day . Everything is rusted and corroded. Something as simple as bleeding brakes is almost always impossible due to bleed screws being non existent rusted away . You so much as touch an exhaust bolt it's gonna break . Changing brake pads the slide pins are usually stuck . I've even had a rim rusted to the hub so bad it took torches and a sledge hammer to get off .

Hello Nick I wanted to ask you for some advise. Im thinking of switching my career path. Right now I work as a automation technician/Mechanic. I work on cars on the side but I dont have much experience to show on paper for automotive tech.. But I have been working as a Automation technician for 7 years. I have a good background in electrical, mechanics and mechatronics. If I wanted to go into automotive technician do you think I would have to go to school and get some type of degree to work as a automotive tech for lets say any dealer company or would my knowledge and experience in what I do already be sufficient. Thanks

I had taken my 2005 Chevy Impala to have front/rear brakes replaced at a PeP Boys a few years back. After I picked it up I was driving down the road approaching a stop light and almost slammed into the back of someone's car. Good thing I was not going too fast. I'm not 100% sure but I believe they left some residue on the rotors. I was livid. Told them what happened. How close I came to seriously injuring /killing someone . Manager was like, "Ok sir. We'll get it back in and get it taken care of."😳 No apology! I couldn't believe the man's reaction. I should have taken them to court.

I did the same altima job to mines and I took the alternator off but ended up stripping the bolt I told my wife to pick up some strip socket bolts from sears luckily she worked at the mall that had one. Got the strip sockets ended up being too short now 8 hours into a 30 min job I finally get a big flathead and started hitting it with a wall hammer and chizzled the nut off. The early mechanic days they were fun

I never do side jobs, people today are lawyer crazy.

Hello, 👋 New subscriber, I really enjoy your channel 👌👍 and by the way this is a very interesting topic that you were covering and while I’m at it I wanted to ask you if there’s a page or website information or maybe you know to look up hourly Rate on certain jobs, Four instance ( a water pump on a D13 Volvo truck) since I like doing that as A side hustle,

Hey Nick! Appreciate you sharing your experience. What software or website do you use to look up labor times?

I used to do them but I found most customers were cheap Charlies, not worth the hassle, easier to do more hours at my day job.

you could always do side jobs on atv's.utv's etc ive been doing there really simple

Good video

I'm not going to say what brand I work on but I've been with the same brand for 22 years Master level. I do side work, charge about half the dealer labor, ONLY use OEM parts or parts that I buy, never allow them to bring anything. I refuse a lot of work, heavy work, engine build, etc. Nothing that will take me a long time, nothing that the customer could mess up and blame me like engines.

Yeah I don’t do a lot of side jobs and I keep them simple. Oil changes, spark plugs, etc. Too much liability. And I don’t really want to do big stuff in my garage. I also don’t advertise it. I have some neighbors I do work for and they all approached me. I do a lot of work for family members as well for cheap. For close family members I have permission to use the shop which is nice.

Would you recommend someone that's 30 years old to get into this trade? I was going to start school soon like mid April lol for Associate of Occupational Studies In Automatic Technology and have the opportunity to get up to 8 ASEs Certifications. My overall goal was to either open up my own shop in the future or also have a mobile mechanic side job while working at either dealership or what seems reasonable. I live in Texas by the way but I heard Feet Mechanic is the way to go and I do have passion for this kind of stuff but I know it'll take more than that lol but I'm just curious on what advice you would give if it was worth it for you as a career choice? I know every job is not going to be perfect i understand that but I would really like your advice on this man. Great videos also 👍🏼

I don’t even do side jobs because I don’t have all my tools at home, nor do I have a lift at home and I’m not working off the garage floor. Additionally, I wrench enough hours as it is at my dealership, so I’ve got other things to do with my off work time.

"This is not like Offer Up here" LOL. Love it!

Hi sir I always watching your video.. I just question only because I have job offer from Sherwood Honda company I am also automotive service technician.. my question on only about the MTS and ASN I need idea how to fill up.. I am Filipino citizenship and I am here in Saudi Arabia no problem if I can DM with you. Thanks

Hello great there! Wanted to start off by staying I really enjoy your videos. I recently started a mobile truck repair business and have been finding difficultly trying to hire on trailer mechanics. Would happen to have any successful tips on finding more mechanics to hire? Thanks!

Hey I was wondering what do you use for your receipts and keeping records of your side jobs? Also do you provide them with a vehicle inspection sheet

I do flatrate and make up parts to compare date time for parts. But my labor is usually cheaper if they supply a part it’s double labor

Very interesting discussion. How would I go about searching for and finding a good mechanic like you doing side jobs in my area? Thanks. I'm close to Huntington NY (Long Island).

Long time no see

I’m about to take my A1 ASE test. I’ve pretty much mastered the material needed to pass the practice test that’s in the booklet. Are the test questions gonna be similar to the ones on the practice exam?

I agree with everything you said. From my experience on side jobs, I recommend working on vehicles you have intimate familiarity with for the exact issues you pointed out. In my POST retirement now, for the time being I service only 06-15 Toyota Prius, 06-09Camry Hybrid, and 03-08 Corolla mainly because of my Knowledge, Skills, and abilities but more importantly I have or had these models in the immediate family. Use only OEM parts if possible to reduce come backs. Also, Toyota Tech Stream is a must along with generic scanners like the XTOOL and ANCEL V6. Charge the labor that is needed never cutting short ones self and don't rush to avoid mistakes especially on brake jobs. The estimates I give is exactly that, an estimate; otherwise it would be called an exact. I don't get too many penny pinching customer because word gets around that my jobs cost too much because I also insist that parts I identify as needing replacement not even related to the service request have to be changed otherwise I don't work on it. I have to service their vehicle as if it was mine. I would definitely get fired if I worked at Toyota deaIership. I don't like come backs even though it was not related to the primary request such as an oil change. Customers are not technical and they just think the oil change I did a week ago is the cause of the drive belt tensioner making a loud noise. The biggest chronic issue I run into is the caliper and brake Cyl. bleeders once open often don't seal perfectly and will have a slow micro leak while the brake pedal is held down. These require days for me to resolve with the vehicle sitting on jack stands in my driveway. Even OEM replacements have frequent defects and still seep. Have had to use the after market speed bleeders to resolve the seeping, but it has not been 100% successful. Anyone have any thoughts or advice, I am all ears.. I am in california, and pass on rusty cars because it gets me, facility, and my tools dirty, and bolts often break during routine removal. I price parts at List if OEM and +10% if aftermarket because there is a significant amount o time involved in purchasing from non OEM parts suppliers.

One thing I always wondered is how do you go about payment in a side job. Like, do you ask for some or all the money up front or do you carry out like a shop where they pay in full after? And have you ever had someone dip out on payment? It's such foreign territory to me.

Unless I had some form of liability insurance there is no way I would work on anyone's brakes as a side job. You just never know what could happen after the test drive/individual picks up the vehicle.

I like your enthusiasm. But the liability associated with side customer is way too high. Everyone in America watch too much court tv. They will try to sue you for every little thing. You'll spend more time in court than actually working on a car. It is okay to work on you friend or family car. But I would take caution on stranger car.

The lowballing is insane

What do you use to look up labor times?

i just bought and get installed a hub bearing wheel from autozone to a ford! 😢 do you suggest me to replace it for an original brand Piece?

All good advise. I’ve been doing jobs like this for the last 3 years for a majority of my income and The liability is the worst part about it. Knowing I’ve recently worked on 10-20 cars and any of them could have a problem that will fall on me was stressful. Pricing is hard because you have to eat it if you quote to low. Another aspect that is difficult is you aren’t in a shop full of techs, if you run into a problem it’s on you to figure it out with no help. I just quit doing this kind of work and became a full time heavy equipment mechanic and I’m a lot happier being able to clock in and clock out instead of being my customers 24/7 on call mechanic.

Any tips on T series ASEs ? I plan on getting them

Yoooo yooo yoooooooo❤

I wouldn't stress selling yourself short, they play games even if you aren't. You know what it's worth if they have problems with it you go from there

Pro tips: pay as you go phone, cash for Visa card, nickname, Craigslist.... 🤫

Isn’t it if the tech supply the part and the part fail, the tech would have to do the work again with new part?

What state do you live in

Yeah exactly and it’s good nature not all of us are out for money I just Looked and seen lol I dunno so simple “just sayin “ meh it’s up to them yeah?

I charge the same thing in the same way

👍👍

Post more if ya can man

I think its time to open Garage petroheads coffe-oil change shop!!!!!

I don’t advertise my rate, I give a price. If the customer doesn’t agree they go somewhere else. They come back.

Quick question. If charging same as dealership, why not just go to dealership? Real question, not sarcasm. Without thinking at all on it, ny initial thought of "neighbor mechanic" is that, i can get him $$$, hed save me on dealership costs, we both win. *** nvm didnt watch more of the vid lol. Its even more labor at the dealership. Now that makes sense lol.

how do I reach out to you for potential side jobs in the future? I don’t do IG.

My suggestion is dont take side job from people you dont know, take side job on cars you know, like a family member or friends atleast you are some what familiar with the car or the vehicle owner

I charge 1/2 of what shops usually charge since you don't have over head

Which ase’s did you get?

“If you bought a bad engine, that’s on you.” I take it you got a couple junkyard LS swaps, huh? 😂

That's not expensive as an independent in Michigan we charge $130.00

Why do u sat yow yow yow ar the start I'm new to the chznnel

Here's how I handle things - customer says "Can you give me a break on the price?" and I say "How much of a break did you have in mind?" Then I RAISE the price by the amount he states so the asshole knows how it feels, and let him know the extra charge is for pissing me off and insulting the value of my workmanship. If he wants MY service after that, he pays the increased price and never f**ks with me again. If not, good riddance to future trouble. I was only doing the exact same thing he tried to do to me, and his leaving only shows he can't abide by his own one-sided standards of fairness. Shoot that shit down with authority and shock value, and the argument ends right there.

Not going to end well 🤣🤣

Don’t do it , it’s not worth it, unless it’s emergency 🆘

The best advice I can give someone is DO NOT do anything like this unless you have a book that gives you the hours. I learned my lesson immediately. If a job looks easy but the book says 15+ hrs....bits not easy

Mmm I have many questions…

$80 dollars an hour is very fair

$80 to $140 an hour labor?!?!? WTF planet do you live on? Everybody in my area charges $60 an hour!

Side jobs are just one reason why our industry is not being taken as seriously as we want it to be. One of the Reasons why we lack value. We want to be treated as professionals but also want to work on our free time because money is better on our days off? Ever heard of a lawyer or doctor doing a side job? No because THEY MAKE MONEY ON THE CLOCK. If you can’t pay your bills live well on the clock and have to do side work to make it or even to make more… it maybe time for a lot of you guys to take a look at your career. Side jobs are the reason why we are all looked at like lube techs “man I’ll just ask someone and see if they will do it for the low I ain’t paying that guy at the shop to do it”. When they pay for the shop hourly rate. They pay for the entire shop/benefits/healthcare and insurance incase I or there vehicle gets hurt. Be a professional! If your making more money on the side and your job isn’t paying, leave and start a legit business you will make way more. I’m sure I’ll get slammed for this but it sucks losing jobs because “I know a guy” just for it to comeback all jacked up because someone didn’t have the tools/equipment/time to do it right.

i love ur channel but i hate the yo, yo, yo lol

If you work at Toyota, don't do Toyota side jobs.

😘 ρɾσɱσʂɱ

8:45 cheap autozone part I thought autozone had decent shit you scaring me bro just bought a rack and pinion,power steering Hella stuff

Everyone needs a break, welcome back dude. 🖱🖱