Run your auto side-hustle like a real shop — from your phone.
Side-job and mobile mechanics: scan the VIN in the driveway, write the estimate on the spot, text it for approval before you turn a wrench, and get paid — with the one number that matters, your real profit, on every job.
See it in action
Tap a screen to open the live auto / mechanic demo — the whole app, loaded with a sample business. No signup, nothing to install.
Everything an auto side-hustle needs — in one app
Estimates → invoices → paid
Write up a job in one sweep — labor, the part (with your private cost), a disclosure note, and a photo. Text or email a clean, itemized estimate. When the customer approves, it becomes a numbered invoice. Record cash, Venmo, Zelle, or card; jobs auto-flip to Paid at a zero balance.
VIN scan, decode & recall check
Scan the VIN barcode with your camera. SideWRK auto-fills the year, make, and model from NHTSA and checks for open safety recalls you can forward to the customer — instant credibility.
Parts lookup & supplier accounts
Save your suppliers and star your favorites. Find auto-parts stores near you, jump to RockAuto or your portal with the VIN already copied, and paste the exact part you found straight into the estimate.
Customers approve from their phone
Send a branded approval link. Your customer reviews the estimate, sees the photos, and taps Approve — logged with their name, the time, and the amount. Add work later and they're asked to authorize the new total.
Real profit, not just revenue
Every part carries a private "your cost" the customer never sees — so the Money tab shows what you're owed, your monthly net, and your true profit on every single job.
Documentation done right
Your business name, logo, address, and registration (BAR/ARD) number on every estimate and invoice — plus part conditions, odometer, tire pressures, disclosure notes, and a logged record of every customer authorization.
From driveway to "paid" in three steps
Write it up
Add the customer and vehicle (scan the VIN), then add the work — labor, parts, photo, and a note — in one sweep.
Send it
Text or email a branded estimate. The customer reviews the photos and taps Approve — authorization logged automatically.
Get paid
It becomes a numbered invoice. Record the payment, the job flips to Paid, and your real profit lands in the Money tab.
What should a mechanic charge?
There's no single number — your rate has to cover your tools, truck, insurance, and the hours you can't bill. Here's how independent and mobile mechanics actually price, plus free calculators to find your number.
Labor: shop rate × book time
Most independent shops bill a flat "shop rate" — commonly around $80–$130 an hour — against the book-time hours for the job, not the clock. Mobile mechanics usually charge a similar rate plus a trip or diagnostic fee.
Parts: your cost + a fair markup
Parts carry a markup over your cost (often 20–40%) to cover sourcing, warranty, and the risk of comebacks. Keep your real cost private and quote the customer the marked-up price.
What moves your number
Your overhead, your area, and your specialty — Euro, diesel, and fleet work command more. And you only bill a fraction of your week: driving, quotes, and parts runs aren't free, so your rate has to cover them.
Repair estimate calculator
Know what your hour is really worth before you quote the job.
These tools run free right here — inside SideWRK they fill your estimate for you →
Mechanic guides from the field
Written for the business side of the work — pricing, getting customers, and keeping them. Free to read, no signup.
One price. Every trade you run.
Single Trade
- Up to 100 customers, unlimited jobs
- Estimates, invoices & payments
- VIN scan, recall & parts lookup
- Customer approvals + photos
- Real profit tracking
Multi-Trade
- Everything in Single, plus:
- All trades unlocked
- In-app trade switcher
- One client list across trades
- For the all-rounder who does it all
Pro
- Everything in Multi-Trade, plus:
- Unlimited customers — Single & Multi cap at 100
- Your Google & Yelp review links on your public page
- AI estimate drafting — photos in, priced lines out
Mechanic FAQ
Is SideWRK good for mobile mechanics?
Yes — it's built for it. Scan the VIN in the driveway, write the estimate on the spot, text it to the customer for approval, and document the work with photos before you turn a wrench.
Does SideWRK scan VINs and check recalls?
Yes — scan the VIN barcode with your camera, auto-fill year/make/model from NHTSA, and check for open safety recalls you can forward to the customer.
Can customers approve estimates from their phone?
Yes. You send a branded link; the customer reviews the estimate and photos and taps Approve — recorded with their name, the time, and the amount, with re-authorization if you add work later.
Does it track my real profit?
Yes. Every part can carry a private "your cost" the customer never sees, so the Money tab shows your true profit on each job — not just revenue.
What should a mechanic charge?
Most independent mechanics bill labor at a flat shop rate — commonly around $80–$130/hour — against book-time hours, plus parts at your cost with a 20–40% markup, plus a diagnostic or trip fee for mobile work. Your real rate depends on your overhead, area, specialty, and how many hours you actually bill. Use the free hourly rate calculator to find your number.
How much does it cost?
Single Trade (mechanic only) is $24/month. Multi-Trade is $39/month and unlocks every trade plus the in-app switcher. Pro is $89/month for full-time operators. Every plan starts with 14 free days — no card required. You're only charged after you pick a plan. There's no permanent free tier.
Wondering what to charge? How to price Mechanic jobs — with real numbers →
Stop doing paperwork on napkins.
Set up your shop in minutes and send your first professional estimate today.
Start free — no card