New workshop! (1 Viewer)

Affiliate links here may earn MHF compensation

Abacist

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 15, 2013
3,854
11,451
Devon
Funster No
28,581
MH
N & B Arto 88F Tag
Exp
since 2013
Different motorhomes have different complexities, extras, difficulty to work on like servicing an A class etc. Surely that needs to be taken into account.

You almost need to agree a list of work to be done per van as a result and maybe owners take responsibility for some items they can deal with themselves so one price does not fit all.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

MisterB

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 25, 2018
6,201
13,957
Essex
Funster No
52,564
MH
Adria 670 SLT
Exp
enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
ok, i wil start .....

i paid £450 last year for a cam belt on a 2018 Fiat Ducato, i thought it was reasonable - and around the price i would expect to pay ........
 

Abacist

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 15, 2013
3,854
11,451
Devon
Funster No
28,581
MH
N & B Arto 88F Tag
Exp
since 2013
As a retired accountant I would add up all the costs relating to the workshop and its parking area, some management time cost, add your profit margin and then divide that by the available man hours per annum after deducting holidays, sickness, other absence, tea breaks, down time etc which will give you a theoretical rate per hour which you can then compare to the competition and then choose something appropriate.
 
Oct 29, 2016
4,548
54,289
Surrey
Funster No
45,842
MH
Carthago C Tourer
Exp
Motor Homing 5 years, caravan previously
I use our dealer Chelston Motor Homes, Wellington, Somerset for all our servicing/MOT's thus far and they have been reasonably priced and done a good job thus far.
They are Fiat Professional Authorised and have a fixed price menu for full service & interim service & Cam Belt Changes which is also very fairly priced compared with some others.
Its 120 miles each way to get to them from our home, and you need to book well in advance, but I try and make a short break away in the van when things need doing, and they let me stay overnight on their premises FOC with hook up if its booked in for the workshop.
I guess they only service vans that they have sold, they may not offer service to anyone else, but that would need to be verified. I have no idea how they are with Fiat Comfortmatic gearbox problems as I have a "Spanish Waiter" manual Box, but I guess they would get a few enquiries on that problem.

PS:: Simon they have a fully stocked caravan/MH accessory shop selling most things inc Gaslow Re-fillables, leisure batteries, chairs and tables etc and van cleaning detailing products, that might be a another addition to your new showroom, if you don't have it already.;) Its hard not to spend dosh in there when your van is up on the ramps in the workshop.
Plus the coffee machine is great also.(y)
Best of luck with the new workshop, keep us posted.
LES
 
Last edited:
Nov 21, 2021
487
1,983
Co Durham
Funster No
85,538
MH
Autosleeper Amethyst
Exp
Newbie, former van camper and still wild camper
Ok I'll ask for others will your garage be able to diagnose, fix and supply the correct gibbins for a confortmatic gearbox? :rolleyes: :LOL: good luck with your venture......oh price erm 'honest value for money' will do!
 

Abacist

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 15, 2013
3,854
11,451
Devon
Funster No
28,581
MH
N & B Arto 88F Tag
Exp
since 2013
There is likely a covenant to prevent an accessory shop as Trago have their own camping & motor accessory business next door!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Aug 4, 2021
1,310
7,135
Haslington, UK
Funster No
83,194
MH
Niesmann and Bischof
Brilliant idea Simon. We have pretty much sorted out our issues with Bud... resealed all seals, new control panel and habitation service. Had an engineer look at the garage floor and he wasn't troubled by the small amount of damage from damp due to the outer floor of the van not being wood!
Went away in Bud last weekend... Motocross!💖
 

scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,634
11,622
Funster No
15
MH
Sold
Local garage that does motorhomes, horse boxes, vans etc charge £70 per hour ..

if required, they also provide a courtesy car which is useful if the campervan is your daily driver .. worth considering ..?

Fun Discount.. 10% would be welcome..
 
Last edited:
Dec 17, 2016
983
1,010
Malvern
Funster No
46,488
MH
Hymer B525 2006 A cl
Exp
2012
Price is important but less than the knowledge that the job will be well done with good communication etc. From what I have heard you are good at that so best of luck.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Norfolk Nige

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 4, 2021
412
14,077
Norfolk
Funster No
78,709
MH
Wiensberg
Exp
Caravanning since 1980, saw the light in 2020
I think we paid £190 for our hab check this year, including underseal. I was happy with that price
 
Feb 21, 2016
4,937
30,439
Uk
Funster No
41,726
MH
C class
Exp
Since 2017
As a retired accountant I would add up all the costs relating to the workshop and its parking area, some management time cost, add your profit margin and then divide that by the available man hours per annum after deducting holidays, sickness, other absence, tea breaks, down time etc which will give you a theoretical rate per hour which you can then compare to the competition and then choose something appropriate.
Wot he said!
I’d be somewhat surprised if Simon hasn’t done this already as I don’t think he’s daft enough to start a business without knowing what the going rates are,and what he needs to make a profit.
Good luck Simon with your enterprise.
 

MichaelT

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 12, 2015
3,252
6,288
Colchester
Funster No
40,159
MH
Carthago I 143 LE
Exp
Since 2016
Our local fiat professional charges £85 an hour, short service (2 years) £300 big service (4 years) £500 and about £500 for cam belt.

Habitation service i think at local dethleffs dealer is about £200 including damp check etc and they charge £90 an hour.

Of course as a funster Ian loyal customer I get 25% discounton all these 😉

Fixed price menus are good as you know up front what its costing. Are you going to be fiat professional if so likely cost for training and certification.

Good luck.
 

MichaelT

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 12, 2015
3,252
6,288
Colchester
Funster No
40,159
MH
Carthago I 143 LE
Exp
Since 2016
I use our dealer Chelston Motor Homes, Wellington, Somerset for all our servicing/MOT's thus far and they have been reasonably priced and done a good job thus far.
They are Fiat Professional Authorised and have a fixed price menu for full service & interim service & Cam Belt Changes which is also very fairly priced compared with some others.
Its 120 miles each way to get to them from our home, and you need to book well in advance, but I try and make a short break away in the van when things need doing, and they let me stay overnight on their premises FOC with hook up if its booked in for the workshop.
I guess they only service vans that they have sold, they may not offer service to anyone else, but that would need to be verified. I have no idea how they are with Fiat Comfortmatic gearbox problems as I have a "Spanish Waiter" manual Box, but I guess they would get a few enquiries on that problem.

PS:: Simon they have a fully stocked caravan/MH accessory shop selling most things inc Gaslow Re-fillables, leisure batteries, chairs and tables etc and van cleaning detailing products, that might be a another addition to your new showroom, if you don't have it already.;) Its hard not to spend dosh in there when your van is up on the ramps in the workshop.
Plus the coffee machine is great also.(y)
Best of luck with the new workshop, keep us posted.
LES
We pick ours up from them tomorrow and so far they seem professional but we are 240 miles away. Do you have a list of prices?
 
Jan 13, 2014
3,690
12,083
Leeds - Yorkshire
Funster No
29,678
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
40+
I wish you luck with your additional enterprise and want to use the facility. I would be most grateful if you could PM me your FLT Price List.😂

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Oct 29, 2016
4,548
54,289
Surrey
Funster No
45,842
MH
Carthago C Tourer
Exp
Motor Homing 5 years, caravan previously
We pick ours up from them tomorrow and so far they seem professional but we are 240 miles away. Do you have a list of prices?
Good luck for picking the van up at Chelstons, all should go well.
When you go into reception they will have an updated price list for servicing on display, if unsure just ask them, but as said we have been very happy with the service provided.
PS: they don't do any coachwork repairs though, which surprised me initially as the sell so many S/H vans as well as new. they told me they use a mobile guy to come and do touch ups, small repairs when necessary.
LES
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top