Over the past 40 years or so I can remember at least 10 attempts at operating a customer-labor shop of one type or another in my area, Nashville, Tennessee. They all failed, ultimately, because it was impossible to meet expenses at a rate of reimbursement that customers were willing to pay. Most of these were hobby shop opeations where the customer rented a bay at a set rate per hour, and the shop provided anything beyond basic hand tools- - - -a lift, engine hoist, jacks and stands, and specialty tools. The overhead cost was astronomical, and insurance cost for a facility like that was unreal. Add the extra potential liability of customers using sandblasters, paint spraying, etc., with all the EPA and OSHA regulations to deal with, and I wouldn't attempt to provide that sort of service at $100.00 per hour! From the perspective of a former body shop owner, I see nothing but nightmares!
Jerry
