Guess I didn't even answer your questions....... I don't use flat rate to estimate anything....... I use Alldata or Mitchell. If a job gets possibly questionable, I advise them UP FRONT they will be notified if any bolts break or any extraneous circumstances occur. Living in Tucson, Arizona..... we charge extra for rusty "back~east" cars. Oh yes, we also charge for diagnosis (lots of shops are scared to) and charge to inspect cars.
