Should You Do Side Work as a Mechanic?

[@sergiorodriguez7955]

Starting to take in side jobs is a great way to join the "ever since" club. "Ever since you replaced my wipers my steering wheel shakes".

[@madeleinegillett5892]

We had a lady come in and complain that her tyre was losing air after a disk and pad replacement. It so happens that the near side rear tyre needed replacing, which we did. Thing was tho, we only replaced the one tyre and it wasn't the one she was complaining about 😂 Shed obviously got the other 3 tyres changed at an independent after we did ours because the beading wasn't properly cleaned and the tyre pressures were all over the place. But alas, she still had the audacity to blame us for it

[@lukewilson7777]

I want nothing to do with that club. We currently have a vehicle in the shop where the customer was told they needed a new radiator fan in 2016. They never replaced it and they are now blaming us for the engine damage

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yet another example of why documentation is so important

[@bairfamilyfarm1336]

@121bham Most likely the sway bar. No worries on driving it. Putting it on a lift might have broke free the loose sway bar from corrosion, but it wouldn't be noticable as it's under tension from the wheels pressing down on it. Any other clunk would be noticable, ball joint for example would be made known by shaking the top of the tire in and out.

[@chasederrick5319]

Sergio Rodriguez 😂😂🤣🤣

[@cyprusfang535]

Best side work to do is basic maintenance (oil, spark plugs, coils) and basic electrical work ( stereos and subs)

[@lovemym16]

CyprusFang BRAKES! easy money!

[@cyprusfang535]

drew hood I agree however brakes are for safety and you want to avoid any chance of things going sideways. Brakes are the last thing I want to be responsible for

[@lovemym16]

CyprusFang thats true, but that's also what the diagnostic process is for. Verify, Diagnose, Repair, confirm, complete. If you follow that everything works. I find that every time I have a tech that has a comeback it's that they skipped a portion of that process.

[@cyprusfang535]

drew hood yeah but it doesn’t eliminate the chance of you messing something up or a new part being defective

[@lovemym16]

CyprusFang no but it lets you find it and not the customer.

[@Dave-in-MD]

I hate it when after working on a friend or family member's car they feel they have a lifetime warranty and also feel they should just pay for parts. That's why I'll help a friend out I do it for free or for food. As for family I work on my mothers car for free and I will work with my brother, all else nope.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yeah what’s with that. “3years ago you replaced a bulb, now it’s out again” Ahhaha

[@MrEd-fu3dq]

"Ever since you ..." -- Everett Sinsju - kzbin.info/www/bejne/epeolWN8pt-lmtE

[@Rhaspun]

It's the same with hiring relatives. They can have certain expectations that they don't have to follow the rules.

[@lunchboxproductions1183]

You need better friends. A good friend will recognize your talents and pay you accordingly.

[@OnlyKaerius]

It's the same thing in IT. If your family knows you're good with computers, you're now their for free diagnosis and repair guy, I've had to tell my mom many times that I don't know win 10 and can't see what's wrong over the phone or walk her through it. Btw there's a truism that if you help someone out, they'll remember it, the next time they have a problem.

[@barryjohnson990]

I was a heavy truck mechanic for over 25 years working for fleets. I did quite a bit of side work which financed a ski boat, motorhome and many family vacations. Most of my work was for owner operators who urgently needed small repairs to be able to get on the road and making money. It paid quite well and the customers never complained at all.

[@johnsumner2987]

I stopped doing side work because I was going to do a timing belt and water pump on a Honda Civic for these people my brother knew. They supplied the parts and I would do the work. I went over there and before I started work I wanted payment, at least half. The girlfriend said her boyfriend would be home in half an hour and would have the money then. I said ok I'll do half and wait for him to get back. I didn't pay attention to the time and got the timing belt and water pump off. Went in the apartment to see where the boyfriend was and was told he had to stay late at work. I said ok I'll take a break and when he gets home I'll put everything together. Long story short she kept trying to get me to put it all back together without the new parts because they couldn't pay me. I didn't put shit back together because I had just wasted several hours in a fucking parking lot trusting they would pay me. I later found out they had to pay a shop full book price on top of having to pay for the shops parts and for a tow truck. The boyfriend later called saying he was going to kick my ass so I thought I would save him the hassle of looking for me so I went to his apartment to give him the chance but he just kept yelling through the door he was calling the cops.(lol) Yes I smacked my brother but at least he bought me beer. It sucked but I can laugh about it now.

[@michaelcummings6178]

YUP stay away from big jobs quick money only I got screwed too !

[@marktime48]

I'm not nor have ever been a professional auto tech/mechanic. By training I'm an electronics engineer, and a little more mechanical engineer by trade. What started as a, "You want to charge me HOW MUCH?!?" when I needed an A/C compressor replacement became what I refer to as Stockholm Syndrome for mechanic work. Now, unless it's warranty, I do all of my own work, and after some friends saw what I do they started bringing their vehicles to me, too. To date payment has been specialty tools, fluids, and food, but some extended contacts are starting to want small jobs done and I've started a modest rate for it. I get paid quite well at my professional job, but I do enjoy fixing things, just about anything. I love seeing the comments about people who have incidentally turned their passion into a full-time job, and while I have no desire for that right now I believe that side work and shadetree shops are a benefit overall, provided the individual has good work ethic, uncompromising quality standards, and can build rapport with "customers." Those qualities, or lack thereof, are what often leads someone away from a "professional" shop to start with.

[@GreenMustang00]

I'm a fleet mechanic and I do a good bit of side work for family members and certain people I went to school with, as well as I tow cars on the side as well. Just make sure to trust who you are working for to make sure that you're paid; as he said, make sure you always are professional in your work. If you are professional with your work, work will find you.

[@flyonbyya]

As you mentioned...” breaking a bolt in an unhappy place” is total nightmare for a guy like me who has a decent set of tools, but has about 5% of the tools a real shop has, leaving me very vulnerable to not being able to handle “unhappy” outcomes. I’m not a mechanic, but in the past I’ve replaced wheel bearings, struts, brakes etc for friends with no mishaps... but nearly. I felt my luck was about to run out...I simply don’t do any work for friends at all...

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

If you want to do side work then you need this: This applies to any business really. 1. Create an LLC company, Limited Liability Corporation. It's easy and do it online. 2. Get insurance on that LLC as a business to cover all the bad things that happen to you, the cars, the customer property and protects you from being sued and have you lose your home. 3. Never ever do work for customers who are currently your bosses customer even if they know you. Just tell them sorry, conflict of interest. 4. Limit your work to basic things, oil changes, fluids, flushes, brakes, tires, shocks. Stay out of Engines and transmissions since the likelihood of things going bad and expensive is high. 5. Limit your advertising to Craigslist or similar and word of mouth. 6. Do it as a business. Write up the order, give estimates, get way to get paid with credit cards. there are more things but you must think of it as a business not a hobby.

[@bunkysdad]

I really enjoyed this video and reading all the comments. My earliest memories of VW repairs are the old beetle and super beetle models. I worked for years at Midas and there are no telling how many brake jobs, rear muffler jobs, undercar, etc..... that I did, but no VW side jobs that I remember. My oldest Snap On tool purchase is possibly the 13mm S-shaped box wrench for bolting in those mufflers and I still have it 36 years later. My side work days are pretty much over unless I'm feeling a friend who is broke down, but I have so many stories that started coming back to me as I watched this. Lol

[@JohnJones1987]

I bet 1% of your audience are mechanics, yet its really interesting as an outsider to watch these kinds of videos. Thanks for spending the time to make these videos bro.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@bigbigjohnlee666]

well I am I have 26 years in a techincian

[@JohnJones1987]

Nice on John Lee :) Respect! I have about 26 years watching cat videos..

[@ed200sx]

It truly has pro's and cons, for me it was a pro, here is why: As being unemployed in the past for a longer time. I was doing private things with old BMW models orientated, fixing all sorts of stuff, changing belts/chains, upgrades etc. lucky me, I got a job offered at a local BMW dealer just by doing that. When they noticed that, they contacted me and almost started begging to come over and work for them just by the knowledge of the older 70's and 80's motors, electrics etc. There was no mechanic around with that knowledge/skills. Hence that 2 years prior to that, they didn't had any interest of hiring me. We sat around the table and it all came to a good end. It got me back in to the automotive world and workshop doing the one thing I love the most, working with/at cars. Due to moving out of the region with my family, I had to give up the job at BMW, but I'm still active in a non branded shop.

[@therealderjett]

My best friend's dad runs a mobile repair truck as well as a small shop. When we were kids he was a mechanic at the local Pontiac dealership and did some work on dragcars at the local strip. He did side work all of the time and I remember him getting burned on deals all of the time. He swore off of doing any job that didn't have a signed contract. That is how he made the move to owing his own shop. Great video.

[@binzsta86]

He should've ask for payment upfront.

[@holidayhouse03]

I have 4 rwd volvos (240, 740, 745, 940) parked at my house. I do 95% of the maintenance/ repair work myself. I had a woman stop by asking me to look at / work on her 745. I referred her to a local indie Volvo shop that she then began to badmouth. I told her that was my only advice...I only work on my own hoopties. Wife asked why I turned her away...told her the way she badmouthed that shop showed me what she had in store for me.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Good pick up. That could and probably will go sideways

[@Rhaspun]

Ha, ha. It's the same thing with someone being interviewed for a job. Don't bad mouth the former employer.

[@loweredexpectations8568]

That is a really perceptive observation.

[@JohnSRosamond]

About 50% of my side work was gravy service work, but 50% of it was "it only needs a service" and it ended up being a trash-bucket that had neglected forever. I only realized these things though once the job was in play. I started thinking about liability and got so paranoid I quit side work (after doing it for 5 years). Only 2 times did I destroy an expensive part and both times I paid for replacement (and the job was worse than for free - for me anyway). So, I would tell a new tech - don't do it. I also got accused of breaking things when the previous tech was obviously a cave man with an impact gun.

[@Kevin_10225]

In my country, dealer techs tend to make side work on other car brands instead of the ones they work at at the dealership. Many techs here have experience on more than one brand because there is only one dealership for each major car brand, and they obviously move on to better jobs, hence, they go to another dealership with different cars. At the end, it's no surprise that you find a person who is a Mercedes-Benz diagnostic technician, is a Chrysler master technician and also has experience with Hyundai, Toyota and Volvo, for example.

[@iplaybadgames317]

i did an oil change, no issue with that. when i pulled it out my driveway though the brake line blew, no it was not my fault but it did happen.

[@brazidas58]

Good points on your video. I am an aircraft mechanic and have run into this situation in the past. The big one that you did not mention is the liability, . Shops have insurance,you don't. What would happened if some brings a lawsuit agents you when doing something at home? Example , the airline that I work for had an incident a few weeks ago. Some mechanics in another base where I work damaged an aircraft while lowering it from jacks. Its a 8 million aircraft . In this case the worst that could happened is that they fire you,but if you where working on this aircraft on the side with out insurance you could be on the hook for the damages. And that is huge $,you would be financially ruined.

[@donaldhollums3278]

Great film, Humble! First off I work full-time in another career field. I like working on cars and have worked on my own all I can since my late teens-early twenties, and I can have something else to do when I retire from my current job. I completed an automotive repair course over a year ago to refresh and update my skills to start doing side work. My goal is mainly to help owners with older vehicles to keep them running a little longer. I have received criticism on You Tube that the only work I'll get is from freeloaders and the something-for-nothings, that hasn't been true. My response is, "Not everyone prioritizes their alcohol and tobacco purchases over their car repair needs". I attempt to be as reasonable as possible with my pricing after I get a shop price quote from a friend of mine who is full-time mechanic (He's had free use of the shop he works at for doing his side work after hours). The only cons I personally have in order are: The weather, the side work has been more mobile than I anticipated, and I work second shift hours with rotating off-days; I mainly work 5-6 on and 2-3 off. I would like to have a shop at the house someday, but I'm thankful for what I've had so far.

[@michaelcrumlett187]

Great video, Charles! I used to do a lot of side work, but the costs started to outweigh the benefits. The money was nice, but I never had time to myself. There was always somebody who needed something, and far too many people were looking for favors. I make my money at my regular job now and only take on jobs that interest me.

[@epicstriker87]

I normally stick to tyres and services for side work unless it’s family then il do something bigger but I never do side work for people I don’t know as I feel it’s too big of risk Great video 👍

[@Bleeper168]

just started watching this channel. been working on cars for about 8 years and do a little side work here and there but only for close friends for the most part. Was thinking about starting a mobile mechanic business but after watching this video, its definitely eye opening. No thank you!

[@MotorCityMechanic]

I think my whole channel is my side hussle. Me showing step by step repair videos on the brand thatI work on during my day job and telling the world how to do it surely has to have an affect on the amount of people who would have taken it to a dealership or shop. Instead they take on the repair themselves. It’s an internal battle I have....am I hurting the repair shop business and helping the customer? Hard to say for sure.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

Very true, there is plenty of work to go around and people will hesitate when paying shop rate. Most want a good honest mechanic, and you are just that. I love the information that you give for those not always in the know about common things in the Jeep, Dodge Ram stuff

[@dfulton1356]

Yes you may hurt the shop in some aspects but how much work do you bring in because they attempted to do if on their own?

[@MotorCityMechanic]

Actually I do have customers come to theshop because of the channel so for my dealer it actually balances out. Guess it cant be much different then back in the day when Chilton started making repair manuals for the DIY people.

[@MotorCityMechanic]

Much appreciated man! Trusting a mechanic means alot these days.

[@jeffreyhinman1397]

Yeah but you’ll always have business due to the fact that what you think is common sense isn’t to the next person. Even though you teach them they may still say be afraid, not have the hand skills, own the tools, or something of that nature. Or even someone that just has the money and doesn’t want to touch their car, however if there’s cars there will be a need for a mechanic.

[@MaicSalazarDiagnostics]

I just don’t do side jobs. If someone ask me for, I quote the same as per the shop and some extra for the hazle of bringing tools and so on. So at the end they rather bring it to the shop. I strongly believe that if the shop your work for makes good money you’ll always have a job and a decent pay!

[@NGAAutoTV]

Great advice! I agree - not worth it for me. During college I used to professionally install car audio and alarms. My speciality was remote start systems on the side. Also did mechanic work. My last time I did this was 13 years ago for a friend who had a poor running 98' civic. I did oem plugs, plug wires, cleaned throttle body, and adjusted throttle cable. The catch? I accidentally overtightened the rotor screw (busy talking to the owner while working) - no big deal, just was going to leave it. Started the car, ran great for 10 minutes then suddenly died. Luckily I warned the owner ahead that these ignition coil weaken when you use cheap plug wires which is what the car had originally. I tested the ignition coil and found the secondary winding was dead. Remember that set screw? Ya, car stayed overnight. I had to go buy screw extraction tools the next day and spend most of my day resolving. Owner payed for the coil pack because I mentioned it prior. I had finals that week. Too stressful. Never did side work again outside of family.

[@katanamd]

I have an interesting approach to side work and I feel it's safe. I do all my side work at my dealer, on the lift, in the A/C (I'm spoiled). BUT! I only work on peoples cars I know, so family and close friends. I also get permission ahead of time from my boss. If he says no or the shop is too full I just don't do it with no questions asked. Because of this he feels comfortable letting it continue. They also let me get parts at my price for the side work. In fact parts department now knows my family and friends and just directly gives them the discount. Communication is key! As you said, get a contract. I tell then this is a one time deal done as a favor and all liability is on them. This works well as I usually don't charge. Though they do tip me pretty well, but it's not arranged ahead of time and not required. This can be beneficial to my employer as well. I'm still entry level. I have learned a lot of stuff on side cars that they then are able to give me on the clock as they know I can do it. It's pretty much free, unpaid training for me instead of sending me out to classes and paying for my time. Be safe everyone and make sure your daily job comes first.

[@sienile]

A/C in your shop? I'm jealous. I barely get ventilation.

[@bigbigjohnlee666]

no shit right AC in the shop WTF is that like! we have one big fan and a swamp cooler. and we still get swamp ass after a couple hours of work!!!!!!

[@videomaniac108]

Thanks Charles , all good and interesting points. I was never a professional mechanic but I had a fairly good tool set, built up over years of working on cars and motorcycles, and quite a bit of experience since I was a young kid who did cleanup work and menial jobs at a local garage. I worked at a large hospital in Miami in the 1970s and had a good relationship with the maintenance department that had a good collection of tools. Sometimes I would do a coworker a favor by doing simple repairs on their cars during my dinner break on the evening shift that I worked. My job was very easy and I didn't have a supervisor who really cared what I did or where I was, as long as there were no complaints from anybody at the hospital about my work, which there weren't. I was young and naive and didn't think about may of the good points you've made about liabilities and problems that can arise. I was lucky and never had any problems with the work that I did. Much of the work I did was stuff like alternators, water pumps, starters, brake jobs, etc; simple stuff that could be done quickly and easily. Back then cars were simpler and easier to work on and I wouldn't even want to think of doing work on modern cars. I never charged for labor, only for the parts cost because I derived a lot of satisfaction in getting a job done right and seeing the smiles of appreciation on the people's faces.

[@zach914v8]

I hate doing side work. I almost always don't bring enough tools home. Drinking buds always think you going to do the work for free/beers. It makes the neighbors cranky. At the end of it, I have lost a day off just for a couple extra bucks. No thanks.

[@TheGiovanniec]

I completely agree with all of this. Side work is great when you know the person(friend) and you know the job and you have the tools. Like I do a lot of basic tune ups, maintenance and brakes, because I know the people, know the jobs and have the tools. Not my main job just something to do once in a blue moon and get out of the norm and just ENJOY IT! Thanks charles

[@dielaughing73]

What you're describing Charles is avoiding a conflict of interest. The normal practice is to avoid actions that create a 'real or perceived' conflict of interest. I'm surprised if such clauses aren't in your employment contracts, since the temptation would be there to low-ball clients and take work from your employer.

[@garrywall7296]

Personally I’ll only do any side work for my family or close friends, after that I really don’t think it’s worth the risk.

[@alessandropru]

Im not a mechanic by day. But im contemplating doing side jobs on things that I've done to my own personal cars for friends,family, and coworkers. Things like shocks, timing belts, brakes, and oil changes.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I have no issue with this at all. The only thing that would make me made is something presenting themselves as an expert when they are not. I’m not saying you are doing that. Just a statement. You finally get that TDI on the road? ;)

[@alessandropru]

HumbleMechanic agreed 💯%. I say upfront that im not a pro. But i only offer to my good friends to save them money. For instance a friend of mine needs brakes and an oil change on his prius but he's hurting for cash. And my sister needs a timing belt on her 2.0 jetta mk6 as well as shocks.... Im not trying to take away business from shops, just trying to save them some dough. Almost dude! Almost! Most everything is in the car, just a matter of making all the proper connections with hoses and wiring harness. Cant wait to get it going again!

[@tombob671]

My grandson a line tech does small engine repair on the side. He is a diesel mechanic, lawnmowers, tillers and chainsaw not a conflict of interest

[@102wingnut]

I know an aircraft mechanic who did some side work and messed up a $16,000 engine. So if you do side work.... better do it right!!

[@frontspring1]

michael spencer u airplane guys stick to objects that fly in the air

[@zackphd6825]

Fuck out here with your plane

[@dimitriapproved]

That says a lot more for the plane owner than the mechanic ...

[@wyattoneable]

You make some good points for those of who are thinking about doing side work. My dad did this for years to keep food on the table. :)

[@automedic9781]

When I was at Ford I did side work at the dealer after hours and on Saturdays. Nobody cared, and my service manager actually came over while I was doing tie rods on a Honda one time and we just talked

[@jonasgrumby1093]

I don't want to do my regular work let alone side work

[@meabob]

I use to do side work but I stopped about 15 years ago. Too much hassle for the cash. And when I finally leave the shop, I don't want to come home to work even more.

[@fastinradfordable]

Just brought home tools to do the FULL CVT trans service on my girlfriends Subaru, Big value to the old lady is invaluable! Hard lesson: you never know you dont want to own a shop until you own a shop. Video really hit home :)

[@amak1131]

For my two neighbors, I'll do the basics like oil etc. and have them provide the materials. I'll point them in the right direction (ie. get this brand), but I feel it keeps me safe as if the part isn't right... I wasn't the one that bought it.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I love doing 'side work'. Cause like you said, I can choose what I want to work on. I'm good at certain things, so that's what I focus on. If I know it's something that's going to be more trouble than it's worth, I'll pass on the job. But I'll still try to help out. Either by recommending a shop or mechanic, or just giving them helpful information so they won't get ripped off.

[@johnovegas]

my vw guy is an independent who works 100% from his 2 lift garage in his house. He left the dealership and is the place all independents send their VW work. The part that wins my confidence, is the job is quoted upfront, with lots of good information about simple things like timing build is a good time for water pump, or try changing the serpentine belt and tensioner yourself if you like "it might not be that difficult".

[@XxIPHANTOMZxX]

Earlier this year I was asked to swap an engine over in my free time for a “family friend” in a mk6 pd170. Everything went as smooth as it could until it came to paying me. He offered me a beat up mk4 and I had give him 200 for it. Never touching his cars again

[@lamontgray6015]

That guy was a asshole

[@paulbentley9026]

I’m very lucky with a great boss. I get to use the workshop any evenings or all weekends with no problems. Providing I’m still able to carry out my job well Monday-Friday.

[@boomerang9951]

I take on side work from time to time and I prefer gravy jobs like brakes, tune ups, etc. There's some side jobs that I turn down because I don't want to burn myself out.

[@rigozuniga8096]

i do it when i have time. been in the vw game for the past 15 yrs. best thing i like doing is timing belts, vr6 timing chains, already know the possible outcomes, prepare for the worst and just take your time. it would take me 2 hrs to do a clutch job on a o2j non stop, but ill finish it in 3 to take my time and make sure everything is torque spec. timing chains is different, but i like them because most havent been opened up. take your time!

[@ButtKickersReviews]

I'm an ex VW tech, who now owns a construction company. I've never stopped working on VW Audi Porsche as my side business. The key is to have a proper space to do the work, and have your customers sign a contract with you, agreeing to accept the financial liabilities of unforeseen issues, parts failure, et al, etc. Never enter an obligation that you're unsure of either.

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

NO... I never do side work. Almost 40 years as a mechanic, My last side job was probably 38 years ago. Power steering pump on an olds. Job went fine. 6 months later their air conditioning went out. I was blamed. Evaporator core was leaking. I had to do it for free! My advice is if you need more money, Get a different job or work part time in a different trade where you have liability insurance and no conflict of interest with your full time employment.

[@bestleesinna7702]

I used to do some of the more dangerous sidework besides under-the-car work. I used to install turbos. Everything was fine and I had made buku money doing so. The first time I ever had something go wrong was on a Honda Prelude SI. It exploded. Motor trashed. It was not of any fault of my own. An OEM computer component failed and it blew up his engine. This was about 5000 miles after the work was done. I am always diligent about contracts. The customer was upset, but knew I wasn't liable. We diagnosed the problem and did a cheapo engine swap with similar characteristics. Re-tuned and off he went, no complaints since. Stuff happens. Luckily, he was super cool about it and it brought me more business and still trusts my work. That is the BEST CASE SCENARIO! I was very wary about doing sidework at that time. I think really hard before even doing something as simple as a brake-job or headlight install. Liability and retaliation are the biggest concern for me. Safety is not so much of a concern so long as you are being mindful and taking necessary precautions. I get minor cuts, scrapes, bruises, and the like, but I'm careful enough not to sustain serious injury. Trust can be earned at a shop after doing a good job because the customer knows they can always bring it back, say "fix it", and you have to fix it. Trust is harder to earn doing sidejobs and more often than not, they get paranoid after a driveway job. Trust takes longer to earn as a side mechanic. Expect to have to baby your customers and reassure them a lot. That's all I can say about it really.

[@braddowns17]

I did side work but it was always off brand and mainly for friends and family. I also never had a set $ amount. If they wanted to pay me something that was great if they didn't (they bought parts) that was ok too. Just helping people make their bills is what it was more about and keeping up on off brands

[@MoparNewport]

In my ten years in the auto trade, mostly dealer, I tried very hard to avoid sidework altogether; mainly for the reasons you cited. The only times id deviate was my own vehicle - which aint side work, that's called me making sure I get to work tomorrow - or direct family. Working on friends units always proved to be far more of a pain than it was ever worth. That said, ive had one shop that DNGAF about side work, two dealers that let it slide so long as it was not on site, and one that wouldn't even let me work on my own ride. That one I didn't stay long at. That all said; ive left the trade essentially behind and work for the government making a lot more money for a lot less stress and bullshit than any shop I was ever at - but I get asked all too frequently 'hey can you do XYZ' to which I try to avoid it. Not always successful but that's part of being a licensed tech I suppose.

[@Autorepairtechs]

I would definitely do side work as a full time mechanic it allows you to make extra cash and a new customer and build your customer base as well . With the flat rate system the way that it is you need side work to make up for those pitfalls. As long as it’s done correctly there’s no problem

[@skylinecollector]

I live in another town of the shop I work at so if I did side work here Im not really pulling business from the shop. I enjoy helping people out with their cars because I know how expensive things can be and I just want people to be in a safe drivable car when they probably cant afford the shops repair bill. I also mostly work on friend's cars

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

skylinecollector when it goes bad I try to charge more but sometimes sidework really screws you.

[@martinschaffmeir7729]

Hello sir great post. I had a guy ask me "do you know a good diesel mechanic" so I gave a name, I heard the guy was good. He said to me" that guy charge's regular rates" I was like wtf.better than over charging. Most of the time people I've come across just want a cheaper price

[@DefWun]

In my experience,side work gets old real fast.I now only do it for my CLOSE family and very few friends.Its rare if I even consider doing anything for a random.I used to do a lot of side work,because I had tons of referral s.I started running into ungrateful people who just saved over half of the cost with a quality job done,but they would try to pull the "I only have $x,can I hit you up later?".Also,advertising your side work to potentional shop customers while at work,is scummy.I NEVER did that and word of mouth is actually better anyways.Good,reasonably priced work will get people coming to YOU.

[@sohailashiq8693]

Same

[@capnskiddies]

I can't believe people would even ask that. The brass neck! I'd be fuckin furious, violent even. It's not like they wouldn't have known they didn't have enough when you started work. I'm annoyed now, just thinking of that situation. Maybe five or six Close friends & immediate family I'd let that slide. Cousins, nah. Aunts & uncles they wouldn't let them either to be fair.

[@lamontgray6015]

I wonder how much money I chuld make doing oil changes onley

[@HumbleMechanic]

You’d have to do a lot to make it worth it.

[@dhonnoll78]

I do side work. I also work in IT for a major auto parts chain so I'm not really stealing business unless I am buying or suggesting customers buy parts elsewhere which is biting the hand that feeds. I tell people up front I am a SHADE TREEE mechanic not a professional one although I do as professional work as possible treat each car as my own. Even sometimes cus it as my own hahaha 2 things are NOT negotiable brakes, steering/suspension. If it is not a safe vehicle it doesn't leave my driveway. I don't go digging for problems but if I see badly scored rotors they WILL be turned or replaced and pads replaced. If I see badly worn tires well I can't mount and balance tires but I will tell you you need them if some piece of suspension is broken, badly worn or in need of changing it will get changed. Not negotiable.

[@agenericaccount3935]

I’ve used side-workers as a consumer. I had a turbo chevy swift that needed a clutch. It was early spring. Still snow on the ground. Gross. Called a guy, he came to my backyard and did the job. It was way more economical than having it towed to a shop and waiting a week. For the simple R&R stuff I don’t want to piss with its nice to have an intermediate option between straight DIY and using a brick and mortar shop. So thank you to all the side jobbers out there.

[@AaronsAutomotive]

I work an an auto shop in my local town, my boss has mentioned it that side jobs are ok to do, as long as im not talking to the customers at the shop about it, or calling them after hours telling them ill do it cheaper on the side, But is ok with locally advertising that ill do small mechanical work, brakes, suspension, electrical, tune ups, alternators, starters, belts rads, etc, stuff that can be done in a single evening of 3 hours or less book time on the job. But if im asked to do a larger job to than redirect them and recommend them to the shop with a discount card of 20% off the service (marked on in pen what they wanted done) and my boss will honour that 20% discount of engine/trans/clutch, etc of anythimg that would take more than 3 hours book time.... A lot of guide lines he wants to follow, being a small town of only 8'000 people, and only 2 actual mechanic shop, word travels fast and may end up upsettimg people in the long run, so its not often ill advertise for work, but come october i start taking some side jobs for Christmas cash, and beginning of summer ill take small jobs for some extra cash for the lake or for when i book holidays off. Like you said, its a gamble, and at small bets ill take the risk. For short periods of time.

[@acehole1990]

Way too much of a risk for me. I live in the rust belt and stuff already goes sideways enough when I’ve got the backing/support of a full shop. Not even brakes, seized caliber/bracket bolts, seized pins, stuck rotors all too common where I live. Not worth the stress.

[@fastinradfordable]

I am glad I moved from Ohio to Oregon :) its easy street in comparison of weather and rust

[@jjohn56]

As a customer here's my story. I am a long time toyota guy but recently picked a 09 Audi A3 3.2 Vr6 that was lacking in maintenance and needed some love. I am unfamiliar with these but wanted a fun car. I first took the car to an Indy shop and got shafted which I will explain in a sec. I then went onto the forums and found a Audi tech actually 2 Audi techs that live near by and gave them a call. I had some issues with the car and he got the car sorted but also told me the Haldex and rear diff was never serviced which was weird because thats what I had the indy shop do or did they. He sent me pics of the drain and fill bolts on the diff and you can clearly see they haven't been touched (NE rust) in 10 years. I am in the process of dealing with said indy shop. I'd rather build a relationship with whoever is going to work on my vehicle instead of the dealer treatment. I like to ask questions and get opinions and the guy doing side work just fits better for me.

[@jakewashere123]

I'm a BMW mechanic, from time to time I will take off brand side work because I do tend to miss working on all makes and models like when I was working for an independent. Sometimes I feel that it's worth it but sometimes I get customers with cars that are in pretty rough shape and so they'll come to me like every other week with a problem, the first job I do for them might be an easy brake job but then their air conditioner goes out and then after that their speedometer stops working or something and if gets to the point where I feel overwhelmed or like I don't have enough time to spend with my family or time to take care of my own personal needs then I stopped taking side work for a few months or whatever. Fortunately most of my regular customers understand that sometimes I just need a break and I offer them a fair rate for the work I do anyway so if once in awhile they have to go to a repair shop they're okay with it.

[@YIPPIEIMWINNING]

I do a lot of side jobs...only through referral of my already great clientele....the best advice I could give is record everything through texting or documentation....and know who your dealing with before any work is performed.

[@joshlawrence4512]

I do it all the time haha. As long as I one of the shops I worked at even had an agreement in place for all the techs doing sidework. The shop is the safest place to do so and since the shop had a HUGE customer base nothing felt taken away as long as regularly work hours were respected. We we allowed ordering through the shop for parts but nothing less than highest quality parts and we had to have a 10% mark up because you're payed on part..... and labour. The shop owner charged rent as a 24oz bottle of dark rum and just respect his business since he wanted us all winning in the industry. As a result it's the top shop in the city I live even with a super competitive area. Firing customers on occasion even happens there when needed. So they don't have the feeling of a loss to the business a tech does on the side. Cool video and topic though. Myself personally I generally only do jobs my shop doesn't do and only for family and friends or friends of my friends.... or built customers I've had come to me after leaving a particular shop seeking my personal work.

[@TooTallharley]

I have done it off and on over the years when I need the money. And the way I have always done it was not unlike a shop. Have my own labor rate, figure the flat rate hours and add a bit just because I will be doing it on the ground. I have a few commercial accounts at different parts places and then put a mark up on the parts. Still make it cheaper then going to a shop and still covering what I have in the job. Gas to go get the parts, time making the quote. And if it's not a close friend I ask for the total for the parts and half the labor up front before I even order the parts. And then don't give the keys back till I have been fully paid. I learned early on cause I was burned many times. I even use ro slips that I got from office depot I think to write up the job.

[@JMKady76]

My favorite way to do side work, and really the only time I do it is flipping cars. The risk comes in buying the car, more than doing the work because I'm the customer. If I break it, it's my car, my parts and my time. I bought a Civic last year off a customer at work for about $250 with a blown head gasket, slammed a gasket/timing belt/t-stat etc... in it, and gave it a good detail, sold the car too cheap at $1500. The cons you listed are all the risks that a business owner takes on, and they're why I'm totally okay working in someone else's shop on a daily basis.

[@ericdolan2130]

You are right about branding. There is an old saying, "You don't shit where you eat". My youngest Son will be joining the ranks next year, and I already have him doing things like the Power Take Off unit on the Flex AWD we have. I have explained to him about taking work from ANYBODY that has work done at the Dealership he now is working at (He is cleaning the bays, etc. Moving to oil changes and the like when he starts UTI. The foot in the door). We have the space, means, and insurance to cover him for anything he wants to do on the side, it just can't be related to that Brand. Even if he wanted to, ethically I wouldn't let him because that Dealership has been good to us for over 20 years. Plenty of work out there, just don't take it off the Employers plate!

[@asierra8943]

Is all about side work. Customers know shop work from side mechanics. Is a free country isn't it? I'm a fleet mechanic and saying up for doing side work this coming year. I like this video. Good job. Thank you. Have a good and happy New year.

[@Dragon_rls]

Been about a decade since I hung up my side working on cars gig. I found it to not be too lucrative, and way too many headaches. Unbillable time being on top of the head ache list (lugging tools back, and forth, going for parts, defective parts, no shows, etc). I do fix computers on the side, but if I didn't have computer skills, I think I would probably deliver pizzas in middle class neighborhoods if I needed extra cash. Yup... Too many headaches, working on the ground in all sorts of weather, and all of the above, not to mention the "sly" customer who is bent on getting free work done, or is set on ruining you (Yep.. Had those also). But good luck if you can make it work out for yourself.

[@jasonaltham7013]

My parents get free car repair since they paid for my college but everyone else pays. That being said, I never solicited my side work gig at my job. People always approached me about doing side work, not the other way around. I charged half the going rate at the dealer I worked for, and offered a 12 month warranty for parts and labor. The best thing was I could pick and choose what I did and did not want to do.

[@TheRetiredtech]

I do my own work when I can. Recently changed the oil in a 5.4 Ford cam phasers went out next day. Would have been bad on customers vehicle.

[@jh77sly]

I'm not a Mechanic by trade, but do side work to help folks with basic stuff that anyone can do with a BFH, socket set, breaker bar, and a good jack with stands. I do have special tools for more common things, but no manufacturer specific stuff. I pretty much stay away from any engine/trans/solid axle internal stuff. And I always, ALWAYS, make sure I have double the time I think I need to do that job. I require the person to get the parts while I provide the labor... that way I'm not out any money and only time if I don't get the green handshake when I'm done. I also avoid jobs that take more than 2 hours except for extremely rare cases. I like to have them be able to drive it to me and drive away the same day since I have no room to store a vehicle except on the curb. Majority of the stuff I do is for people in severe need that contact my church because they can't afford to take it to a shop (or they can't find a worthy shop that doesn't have a 2-3 week waiting list). Most of the time I'm just fixing my own beaters since my newest vehicle is 15 years old. Right to repair is a real thing to me. I prefer to fix my own stuff if I can because I know it will get done right and no corners will be cut due to overloading or cheap parts suppliers.

[@deant876]

I am an in house tractor trailer machanic (I work on our own equipment, not the public). My boss hates that I do side work. But I think what he hates the most is I can make more money outside of work than I do with my hourly rate. They told me that if I come in late because I'm out plowing snow, they will fire me

[@alparhorvathkovacs1640]

Our service owner, let us do side works in his shop. It is awsome! After we finishing at 17:00, we are doing our own works, for our costumers.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That is pretty awesome.

[@spikeshostagetv5935]

I work on cars on the side that's my business I want to own soon. I love doing it, but sometimes it's about trial and error

[@fastinradfordable]

trial and error is no good in the day of the interweb

[@DHLonnie]

You have to be really careful about what kind of customer base you say yes to with the side hustle. I showed up to a vehicle that had the front brake pads replaced twice, without the rotors. So I made sure the job was done complete, including the front brake caliper that they insisted needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, by the time I took the old caliper off. I realized it wasn't the problem. The bleeder screw was barely a knub of steel. (I had my left my map gas cylinder at the shop) Got that all done, with a new left front caliper, was told I would be coming back to do the rear brakes next weekend. Turns out the left rear has been driven all the way down to the vents, and the piston popped out within my 3 feet of movement. I pulled the starter relay because it was otherwise outside my control for them to drive the car, and get into an accident. Was told I sabotaged their vehicle, didn't get paid for my time and labor, including two trips to the parts store. and bit the bullet on the left front brake caliper, and then less than a week later, they had money and tools to fix the rear brakes themselves and still showed up at the shop looking for me, saying we had a serious problem. ( Despite there being no affiliation between that and my side hustle.) If you can help it, ONLY do side work for close friends and family. The line of communication will be smoother, and if things go south, you have a better chance of working it out. Also, if you're on a time crunch, it's best not to be that "lifesaver" and shelf the job for another day. Because I was already really stressed out as soon as I realized they needed me to make all their parts store runs too.

[@Hubjeep]

6:01 Yup, something going wrong! Especially if it's their only vehicle and need it the next day!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep.

[@thatmechanicguy8773]

Yes and no. Side work for me was only done for close friends and family. Sometimes I would do something for a friend of family. It also depended on the job and how much they were willing to pay. I charged $60 an hour for side work. If you weren’t willing to pay that, the service department is up front, please swipe your credit card at the door. I never pulled work from the shop. I’m lucky that the shop I’m at allows me to do side jobs for family in the shop, but I never let it interfere with my job. Until... The last side work job I did interfered with my work and just added unneeded stress to my life. I no longer do side work for anyone. Time is more valuable than money.

[@zandern9489]

Helping and hustling are two different things. I will gladly help someone, but I’m constantly reminded why not to hustle mechanically. A: consumer/customer now has a personal mechanic at their beck and call- you find yourself trying to convince them that this strange new noise that can never be replicated has nothing to do with the work you just did. (IE brake job done, and suddenly the car is idling rough, or the window stopped working...etc etc.) B: something for free...n’uff said. C: when something does go wrong, your almost always screwed. Yes, I’ll gladly help and accept donations for that. Props to those that can hustle! 🤙

[@match360]

I agree on some level if you started out at a dealership and they brought you up with all the paid training and all that you maybe owe that dealer your time before you jump out and do side work..I never did much side work but have been a mechanic for the better of 25 years and it was enough to save up and buy my house and property outright and build my own shop that I work daily at now.With kids grown up and gone with very little bills it has worked out great.

[@davidkanengieter]

I do some moonighting, but only stuff I can do in a couple hours. Nothing that can cripple the vehicle overnight and nothing on weekends.

[@jhuntosgarage]

This applies to all career fields. Universal concepts to be considered before deciding to take on sidework.

[@guthannight]

i do some work on the side but my main job isnt working on cars. Even with the skill set i have of being able to do engine rebuilds and so on i will never do that for a customer. 1 it will take to long and 2 if something does go wrong its on me. I do simple things for customer like brakes, oil, water pumps and some suspension work.If i dont know you you are paying half the estimate up front and a contract is signed.

[@ryancymbola5291]

Ya know. I enjoy the knowledge your sharing. Literally everything that I need to wrap my head around.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks ;)

[@HumbleMechanic]

What do you guys think? Yes or No to side work?

[@Multi5611]

@HumbleMechanic I don’t do side work mostly as in my dealership contract it states I’m not allowed to, but same as yourself I do the odd thing here and there for family and close friends other than that I’d rather chill in the garden 😂

[@AvoKupelian]

I'm a tech guy myself, I might start doing some side work for a couple of my friends. stuff like brake pads and spark plugs etc, more money for car parts :D

[@LoneWolf-2fb]

HumbleMechanic yes. People you know, and be smart.

[@solomonkinziehawver6624]

Sometimes you need that loot.

[@Dragon_rls]

NO WAY JOSE!!!!!

[@davemc3650]

Get your own Coustomers, don’t steel Coustomers from your work. Ohh and choose vehicles and vehicle owners to work on because many people will look down and disrespect you because you are doing side work even if you are master mechanic level then be firm with your price up front and get deposit. I had many cars owners want everything free.

[@fooledman]

Had someone who installed the parts I brought and things were fine until we entered into the fuel system which is when everything fell apart. Yes, it was that LTD I mentioned earlier.

[@carwerks101]

So I do a fare amount of side work strictly on Vws, and some audi. I was dual certified with both and worked with them for 8 years. Currently I work for Mercedes Benz, I am very well known in my area for side work strictly on Vws, usually nothing older than a 2010, I rarley provide parts, the customer always provides the parts and every job I do or check with me on the correct parts, it's usually brake upgrades, clutches, lsd installs and stuff like that, I now have a lift in my garage, and I keep everything in order and don't have the front of my house looking like a junk yard, I never do random jobs because that's when you get stuck and have a car down, I feel finding your niche is the way to go. Doing random cars is not the way to go, I am also trying to start my KZbin channel, I also only stick to one side job a day and only weekends, most jobs I'm done with before noon, so you definitely need to set some rules for yourself

[@TheRealBmanswan]

After bad experiences with shops I started teaching myself to fix the cars I own. I got better at it and now I fix cars for half the price of what a shop does, even less than that depending on the vehicle and job. Took some business from some of the local shops. I have paperwork that gets signed to keep me out of any legal backfires. I do this more for the simple fact of it saves me time, if a job goes wrong its easier to offer to fix the damage for free then to watch a customer spend even more money in court room. But I have yet to see a job go wrong. Then again if it's a job I'm not confident in then I will not take the job.

[@mowtownn]

You are awesome man, I have really learnt a lot from you about VR6's a and gained a lot of confidence through watching your videos, thanks man.

[@GYPSY400]

I do side work.. but on a different line of equipment than I work on during my real job.. I work on heavy trucks and equipment at work, then fix outboard motors at home. Most of it is pretty gravy, but doing research and finding parts takes a lot of time.. and rework kills the profit.

[@soapmcsoapface1787]

I only do sidework for my closest friends and family if they need help woth their cars. And never any big major stuff. And it is never really for the money for me i just do it to help my nearest and dearest out. Been toying with the idea of sometime getting my own shop but currently just racking up some experience as a tech.

[@skylinefever]

I also do free repairs for family members if the repairs aren't difficult.

[@MiamiZombie2012]

I've been getting my side hustle on lately. Between side work and ride share programs, I'm glad I quit the trade. Beats getting ripped off left right and center everyday. Plus I work a lot less and making a lot more.

[@amr-50]

side jobs are great but broken bolts when it happen making me hate it

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yep. Haha

[@Phantom-darkness]

Don’t break them. Stop eating spinach.

[@bradleyburdett5361]

Chicago Latrobe drill bits

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

Whisper sweet things to your bolts and always use lube.

[@808smycarbreaks_9]

The most side work I’d do is just for a really good Friend like Charles said

[@dunntanktrucks]

I am diesel tech at gm dealer. my daily driver is a 98 jetta tdi. over 420,000 miles. people always ask me if i will do side work on their newer volkswagens. since i have had that one so long they assume i know about how to fix them. "SORRY..... I don't know how to work on them, that old model has never broken down so I never learned how to fix them." When I get done at the end of the day, I don't want to do any more work , maybe 25 years ago but not any more.

[@totomechanic6375]

My last shop went under so I am subsisting off of side work for the month before I move. My biggest concern has been snafus with the jobs itself.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That’s a good thing to worry about. At some point those mistakes become a cost of doing business, but it hurts real bad when it’s out of your pocket

[@totomechanic6375]

Absolutely. I'm am trying to keep it in my circle of regular customers and friends to hold me over. Praying for no incidents

[@jaysazar]

My stand is this. If you're side work is outside your shop/dealers marketed brand, and there is no conflict of interest, it's not their business. Remember to work within the confines of your at home capabilities and don't take jobs you can't complete or don't feel comfortable finishing within the book time or less.

[@BIGWILLY8313]

I always refused to get side jobs from my shop just in case. almost all of my side jobs came from friends or friends of friends and sometimes friends of friends I didn't know. Finally I just called it quits for a while everyone expected to much for nothing. Driving, diagnostics, time, tools, having to wait, extensive calls and texts. You have to draw the line from the get go and be up front about it and speak in dollar amounts even just to diagnose a car "check out a car"

[@binzsta86]

What about looking at a car?

[@RAWRMotorsports]

I offer a mobile service in my area for things that can be reasonably done on site .. No engine swaps or anything crazy unless they have a place to supply .. Working on getting a shop built at my house now .. I guess the universe has been in my favor cause I've acquired some great clients for the most part .. Best advice is do great work and if something happens just he honest .. If its your fault fix it .. You cant make everyone happy .. I try to stay away from people wanting free shit or wanting something for nothing .. If you know your rates are fair or more than fair dont budge . they say thats too much say well thanks for ypur input and move to the next one

[@penrodautorepair3170]

When I lived in Orlando FL. I worked at a shop that on Saturday would let you bring anyone's car in on Saturday an work on it you got paged by that person. The shop got to the point that we had a meeting an instead of doing Saturday repairs. Everyone got a 20% pay increase I worked their for two years an still refer people to them. If a shop is worried about you making money off the clock. Their greedy as hell.

[@ibrigs19]

Not a mechanic, I started fixing cars for people after I found a guy stuck in the Walgreens parking lot with a dead alternator. Now I have 3 regulars, that guy and 2 people he's referred to me. They all know the deal, I know a lot but I don't know everything and I'll turn down a repair job if it's beyond me. All of this because I got the confidence to tear into the engine on my 99 Jetta from watching your videos.

[@frontspring1]

ibrigs19 woohoo u changed an alternator.Master tech status

[@ibrigs19]

Grab America by the Flaps I mean I've rebuilt 3 engines and about to do my 4th, but go ahead, be a douche, it suits you.

[@frontspring1]

ibrigs19 what kind of engines

[@frontspring1]

ibrigs19 thanks

[@lamontgray6015]

That's the level I wana get on