Priced the way Mechanic work is billed
A oil & filter change and a battery replacement don't get quoted the same way, so why would every trade? SideWRK prices Mechanic the way the work is really billed: by the hour + parts (default rate ~$110/hr). Tap the work, put in the numbers, and the line prices itself — no napkin math, no undercharging a job because you rushed the quote.
What moves a Mechanic price
Two Mechanic jobs that look the same on paper can be a hundred dollars apart once you're on site. Here's what actually changes the number — the things to size up before you quote:
- Parts quality — OEM, aftermarket, or used swings the bill more than labor on most jobs, so log which you put on and the price makes sense a year later.
- Diagnostic time — an intermittent electrical fault can eat two hours before you touch a part; charge the diagnostic, don't bury it in the repair.
- Customer-supplied parts — your labor is the same whether their part is $40 or $400, and a supplied part means no warranty on your work.
What a Mechanic job puts on the record
Every trade documents something different, and Mechanic is no exception. SideWRK captures VIN and year/make/model and the rest of what your work needs on the record — the details that protect you and make the invoice stand up:
- VIN and year/make/model
- the odometer reading in and out
- OEM recall lookup by VIN
- each part by condition — new, used, or aftermarket
- tire specs and pressures
Example note on a job: "Customer chose economy pads — advised they may be noisier."
How to price a Mechanic job in SideWRK
- 1
Start the job and add your work
Open a Mechanic job and tap a suggestion like "Oil & filter change" or "Front brakes — pads & rotors" — the common work is already loaded, so you tap instead of type.
- 2
Price it by the hour + parts
Enter the numbers and the line prices itself, by the hour + parts (default rate ~$110/hr). Put parts on at your cost so what you clear is real profit, not just the Mechanic ticket total.
- 3
Note the details
Add a plain-English note — for example, "Customer chose economy pads — advised they may be noisier." — and a photo of the work.
- 4
Log what the job needs
Capture the Mechanic-specific records: VIN and year/make/model, and the odometer reading in and out.
- 5
Send it and get paid
Send the Mechanic estimate for approval. Your customer approves from their phone, the invoice goes out, and you get paid — card, Apple Pay, or straight to Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App.
Staying on the right side of the rules
SideWRK documents your Mechanic work — it doesn't make you licensed, and it says so plainly. What to know: many states require an auto-repair registration (in California, a BAR/ARD number), and a written, authorized estimate before you turn a wrench. The app flags the permit and license triggers so they never surprise you mid-job.
Mechanic pricing — common questions
How do I price a Mechanic job in SideWRK?
You bill by the hour + parts (default rate ~$110/hr). Add the work — Oil & filter change, Front brakes — pads & rotors, Diagnostic / scan — enter the numbers, and each line prices itself. Parts go on at your cost, so you see real profit and not just the total.
What does SideWRK document on a Mechanic job?
The records Mechanic work actually needs: VIN and year/make/model; the odometer reading in and out; OEM recall lookup by VIN. It rides on the estimate and invoice, so your paper trail is built as you work instead of reconstructed later.
Do I need a license to do Mechanic work?
That depends on your state and the job, but here's the shape of it: many states require an auto-repair registration (in California, a BAR/ARD number), and a written, authorized estimate before you turn a wrench. SideWRK documents the work; it doesn't certify you, and it flags the permit and license triggers so nothing sneaks up on you.
Does SideWRK work for trades other than Mechanic?
Yes — it runs all 42 trades, each priced and documented its own way. If you run more than one, the Multi-Trade plan unlocks them all and switches between them in a tap.