high labor for water pump/thermostat?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by blue62

I think most shops charge according to what is called a "Flat rate" book.
It gives average times it takes to do a job. ....Such as coolant change or brakes or what ever.
So the 5.2 hours probably comes from the flat rate book.
They then charge their rate at those hours.

JFP in PA is probably familiar with it and could explain it much better then I.

You are correct; all shops, independents or dealers, work from what is called the flat rate or "book value" to estimate what time it should take to do any repair. Years ago, the flat rate was actually a printed book, but like everything else, it is now an online subscription system. The shop then multiplies their hourly rate times that value to determine the labor charge, then add in parts and any taxes or disposal fees, and that is your bill.

As labor rates and parts have a geographical content, there are several free online estimators (NAPA has one, as does RepairPal) that allows you to input your location, car year and model, and then select what type of work is to be done; and it will give you an estimate range of what to expect. I just ran a 2001 Boxster thru RepairPal at my location for a water pump replacement, and it came back with a range of $1,673 to $1,904 (independent to dealer) as an example. So you can work up your own estimates of what to expect that are reasonably accurate.