My mentor doubled his prices, which cut his client-numbers in half, his work load in half, his worries in half, his complaints in half, and he still made the same amount of money..... BRILLIANT!

When I worked doing Automotive front ends brakes and alignments I made $158,000 a year. There is money to be made turning wrenches. Thank you sir great video can't wait to see the whole video series

When I organized my own on-site repair service truck company I set the price at 140/hour. My business metor, who also happens to be a customer, also advised me NOT to discount travel time -- charge full rate from the moment I turn the key in my driveway until I get back home.

The world will ALWAYs need mechanics and tradesman.

Thank you so much for this video! It is so nice to see how somebody really did it.

Thank you brother, this is helping build my confidence to start my mobile repair business and work for myself. God Bless you sir!

Steve I agree 100% with what you’re trying to teach people as these young guys are coming on I own a business as well. I’ve been doing it for over 33 years. And all the points you’re making are absolutely correct. Keep up the good work in the videos.

Thank you for this. Its really eye opening. Im 1 year away from graduating from my tech school with my associates in Automotive and diesel technology and plan on doing this its good to know that its possible

One point that my guess is very important. This applies to any trade! That's right. Any trade. Find a niche and exploit it. Great advice Steve.

As a retired diesel mechanic forty years ago I was making $18.00 bucks a hour. The problem was the tool cost, I had a friend who was a master electrician worked for the DC subway system made $27.00 bucks a hour and carry his tools in a in a small tool bag!?!?!? I believe he was the wise than I.

I make a lot of hoses in my mechanic job! If I ever do go on my own, that's the first big tool I'm buying!

I don't have a college education worked hard for 27-28 years as a mfg rep self employed work on straight commission paid my own traveling expenses furnished my own car and ended up making well into six figures a year for a lot of years retired at the age 47 or 48 started a landscaping company part time it has now grown into a 4 employee company working 12 months a year. LOL so much for it being part time!

I am starting my company now, M BAR H Welding and Mechanical, I am specializing in on road trucks off road equipment and welding repairs.

Thank you very much for these videos because not only are they instructive they're inspiring

Great video! I'm considering this lifestyle myself, and this video really helped me! Thank you sir!

Great video. I’m slowly starting at shop at home in Ontario Canada. Been working as a diesel mechanic for the last 18 years. Wanting to just work on cars and pick ups.

Great video. Thank you !

Good Man love your videos

great video man!!!

Great video steve. I live in one of those areas where all the cheap people live. I normally try to beat dealer cost and the customers tend to return. But I also have a full time job so customers know I have to work around that. Plus I deal in cash only

GOOD ADVICE !

Nice advice!! Thank you very much for sharing!!!

Very good video! Thanks for the great content

Another Great informative Video. Thank You :)

This is the kind of motivation that most people need, the risk is what keeps people from doing what they do best.

15:25 that guy charging $247,000 an hour better be able to make my truck launch into space 😂

Excellent education. You are a very wise man!

This is the most important video I have watched in my life. I plan on doing mobile before I watched this vid but now I am more focused. After working for a year after I finish school I am absolutely starting my own business.

Really appreciate this info right now

Did you ever make the Playlist you mentioned in this video? I am not seeing it. Thank you so much for making this it is very close to the rates I am charging. It has changed my life big-time working for myself!

That's really good info

Go Mike Rowe! Yes, technical jobs are what's most needed.

Your example is good, it takes in to account vacation time

I want to start my own heavy equipment repair Business one day really like Videos like that always learning something 👍 thank you for making them 👍

Love the video.. good job

Steve you are awesome! Great info

Im a foreman for a large Concrete Construction Company . And we have three full-time mechanics a lot of times they cannot keep up . So we have to call the dealer to come out and work on the equipment . And they charge a fortune and take forever to show up and fix the problem . I wish we had more small time guys around here like what you're talking about . I have a lot of buddies that own small construction companies and they would definitely hire someone to come out and work on their stuff .

Thanks sir, very inspiring.

I really liked this video just have one question, how do you keep clients or recommendations if you’re only available 15-20hours a week? Do you only do emergencies or scheduled jobs. I really hope to hear back because I’ve always wanted to go mobile and work for myself. Thanks in advance buddy!

Excellent video

Loved it

This is one on the best career videos I ever watch. I am mechanically inclined person and in recent months, I contemplated going to school to become a mechanic . At the present time I am getting my associate's degree in mathematics. Finishing my mathematics degree is out on the question. Why not complete it if you do well in mathematical subjects, but I realize along with those who know me that I enjoy doing both - being a mechanic and a math guy. 👨‍🏫

This has to be the best video I have ever seen. Great work Sir!

Thanks for great motivational video

Good stuff! I like all your vids but I love how you break down business aspect. More people need to feel comfortable with those skills. That’s how we all get better👍

Make sure to charge out ALL the time you have on a job. Loading your truck, picking up parts, travel time, clean up time, paperwork time. This is all part of the job and should be charged as such. And everything gets marked up, not just parts. Did you pay overnight freight to get that part the next day? Mark that freight up 30%. Drop a cylinder off at a hydraulic shop to get repaired? Mark the vendor's parts and labor up 30%. Charge a percentage of labor as a "shop supplies" charge, 7-10% will do. If you work on a jobsite where some special license or training is required (say...OSHA30, MSHA, HAZMAT, etc.), your labor rate increases.

Awesome video Stephen. I'm a mobile mechanic in Australia and have followed this strategy for several years and is really good advice... we shouldn't feel like we need to do every job, but rather do those jobs that pay well for those customers who are prepared to pay a premium for mobile work which at the end of the day is a lot more convenient for the customer.

One thing you didnt mention that im curious about is insurance? Whats the cost of professional liability insurance working on heavy equipment plus commercials vehicle plates taxes etc?

Been working on heavy equipment since 1985 and still going, been in DFW area since 2007

So do you charge $100 for every hour you're on the repair or $100 per flat rate hour?

Hey Mr Cox.. Would it be a great Idea to have some experience as a Field tech before you go out to start your own mobile business? Im new in this industry

Thanks for the info I work for the city of Houston as a light duty tech and I needed this because I was think of moving to the heavy shop working on vactors and HRTs I do pms in them already.

I had the same experience running my tow trucks.Charging bargain-basement you met horrible people. People that were willing to pay over $120 for a tow were much nicer, The cars were nicer cars also(San Francisco in the 90s) Towing for shops paid about the same as towing for wrecking yard there is no money made their. Shops always want to bargain and then charge the customer a premium price. That made the tow truck company bad

What about tools you have to buy?

Ok the money is there for sure. But could you do a video on how getting paid works. Do they pay you monthly. Do they pay you after or before you go out there. Also how do you go about getting parts. Did you pay cash and then charge them or did you have an account soemwhere

Here some more things to consider. It takes time to bill out, pay bills, maintenance, etc. So, being realistic, 20 to 35 hrs a week is actually pretty realistic and still be actually working close to full-time.

Good video buddy

Hey Stephen, when you charge customers to drive out to them, do you charge them per mile only one way or there and back? Thanks for the vids, appreciate the info

Awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I've been doing mobile tractor repair for numerous years. I keep raising my rates, but need to do it more. My biggest issues are with cheap people, and why do I want to work for them?.... Makes perfect sense. Time to implement, the strategy. Take the jobs I want. Avoid the cheap clients. 😊

Love working on car always have I'm a 2nd year apprentice and looking forward to starting my own business think on doing some mobile stuff like batteries and the small stuff this helped alot thanks

good advice

Please make that series!

I've been trying to start a mobile repair business for a little while now and this video popped up, all my friends told me I was gonna be charging too much at $75/hr but this changes my mind, I haven't been getting much customers but this video has helped me understand some circumstances better. I look forward to watching more videos. Thanks for the advice!

When you say mobile mechanic, is it just road side repairs? Or are you showing up to work sites, someone’s driveway? Great informative video btw! 👍🏻

This video is encouraging

This is very true I make damn good money wrenchin on heavy equipment in the oilfield but it takes up all your life

What hours do they work?

Stephen, I really admire what your doing brother. I own a mobile mechanic business in Florida. I started my company after leaving a job working on Semi trucks & big diesel stuff. I intended to stay with semi trucks, fleets & big diesel, but I’ve been getting nothing but calls for private vehicles, people complaining about the service call fee for my 16ft box truck/shop on wheels to come to their house while they watch TV & get their cars fixed. Any advise on how I can transition back to the big truck world?? I’m grateful for the revenue I’m producing with cars, but really want to be doing fleet maintenance & truck work. Thanks in advance!

I REALLY need to bump up my rates.... I've NEVER charged a mark-up on parts (so far) and I've usually charged less than 50% of a labor estimate. Just did a no start diag, on a Ford Freestyle, due to a locked up alternator... New alternator installed for $50. Took me about 3 hours. (Will NEVER quote that one that low again.) Editing the 2-part steering rack AND intermediate shaft replacement video on '05 ES330 now, that I charged $100 labor and $20 materials. (Good friend and repeat customer) My only REAL gain at this point is REPUTATION and customer base. I NEED a garage for anything that can't be EASILY done where the car sits.... THEN... I'll charge more, because I'll be able to get it done faster.

Hey Stephen great video! Just wondering if you’ve ever had any experience contracting out these jobs to other people. As someone who’s starting out in the industry I hope that I can start my own contracting business for heavy equipment. Any tips on how to get started?

Awesome 😎🙏🏻👊

same with me. Started my own.

I'm curious , did you go to school for diesel mechanics or did you learn only on the job?

Smart guy

Is insurance for your mobile repair business expensive?

Sourcing parts should be interesting. On cars it's easy, set up a commercial account at one or multiple auto part stores. I still don't understand why some mechanics will call in to get a price, but they're getting the parts at retail. How are those guys making any money?

what are your other expenses that can't be charged back to the customer? Truck, tools, rent, insurance, etc...? What is the net from the $230k?

If you snap a bolt on a water pump you could probably still get it to seal by using silicone Forma casket

You are talking about gross sales. That's not what you "make". That's just what you bill. What you make is what is left after you pay for tools, parts, service information, insurance, and non billable time (estimating, billing, finding parts, taking phone calls, etc). In my area, if you want to charge $100/hr, plus mileage, and you only do the simple jobs, you will get NO work. The dealers are not even charging $100/hr, they don't charge mileage, and they have the tools and information to fix anything.

Wish I would have seen this back when I was a mobile myrrh but then again I love being a fire fighter now

Hi Stephen, are you from connecticut??

It cost you for every moment you are open. Just showing up starts the meter. Your automobile or truck costs you every mile. I drive for a living a living and drive a 10 year old Honda. It cost me about 35 cents a mile for insurance, gas, property tax, maintenance, (I do it myself) depreciation before I make a dime.

I have tools, a 24x48x14 pole barn with a pair of 2 post lifts in the pole barn. I'm a ASE Master Automobile Tech and a state certified master tech. I also have some heavy duty vehicle licenses in my state. I just can't get myself to take the risk. I'm not a people person and I have no experience owning a business. I'd love to make this kind of money while working less but it seems risky for me.

Did you have to make a LLC?

I made just over 90k last year , and I’m 26 years old. I’m a heavy equipment field mechanic

GREAT VIDEO STEPHEN - SHARED !!!!! p.s. I HATE math 🙋🏽‍♀️.

I like this guy

I charge $85 but I live in 1 of the lowest household income states in the country, i cannot keep up with the work. All it takes is a lot of knowledge and a lot of tools and you can make all you want.

So i have tried working for myself as a mobile auto mechanic. Problem is no one wants to pay everyone on the street thinks im work for crackhead money $40 to change a radiator. How would i get into working on equipment like your saying?

I just retired after 30 years of h.d. diesel /emg equip. [gov/federal].. it was my second job "sears was first eww" was on call 24/7 w/ scheduled time off. contract was 35 hr wk. \ @ 91g base for last 15 years 1.5x till 60 hrs then dbl pay its not a cushy job your either dedicated to it or do not bother the pay is great but nothing is given u earn it

Would you recommend diesel tech over plumbing?

What about taxes you have to pay on all your income at the end of the year? Wouldn't you need to basically double that to actually net 100k?

What was it that you did before making a mechanic where you made a lot of money?

Also don't forget that working for yourself you have in erased costs like payroll taxes since you pay both sides. Health insurance will cost more since a big employer does not absorb some of the cost. And the big one is that you need to put back money for retirement!!! Most of these guys won't think about that, there just thinking oh man I can make $150k a year or I am making $150k a year and spending it all. Then there 45 years old and realize they have saved nothing.

go for commission when it is available lower the pay rate the better make that weekly avarage and get from 30 to 179 a hour from commission in about a month

Thank you! Our nation has gotten soft, people are scared to work with their hands. Too many folks with the belief of school = money. Keep doing what you’re doing brother!

Have you ever heard of heitman truck repair that's where I work. I work on fire trucks and 18 wheelers

Do you need to be licensed and bonded like plumbers or electricians etc? Or have some sort of business license? Can you give us a video on the business side of it?

How did you deal with non paying customers? Maybe add some info of that in the future vids. cheers!

Did somebody forget about taxes? Governments gonna want half of what you make