What are the incentives for an employee mechanic

Almost ended up in that situation myself. I got out a month or 2 before they went under.

 

For what reason does the company you are employed by want you to quit, and become a contractor?

How busy are you working for them now?

What type of work do you do for them now?

Are you their only mechanic?

 

See how many people come here daily asking just about the truck side of things thinking its as simple as dropping a few grand and you have a money printing press....

Hell ive been collecting tools and equipment for my semi since i went O/O and i checked my recipts before i made this post. Just for basic USED stuff like tire change bars, an air compressor, air impacts, grinders, a basic mechanics tool set (500 tools) torque wrenches, ramps and crap. Ya know the bare minimum. Im already sitting at almost $25,000 in tools ($24,762.32 according to quickbooks).

People dont realize just how much scratch a business needs just to open the bloody doors. God forbid run a profit. There is a reason for the saying "gotta have money to make money"

 

How long have you been a mechanic?

As to your exact question. I've never only worked for one company as a contractor. I could only see one side of such a relationship benefitting.

Any swingen dik can open a shop and make a ton of money, at least for a short time.

 

I know a delivery company who is contracted to bring their service work to a certain dealership. Their units get priority and a discounted rate. The dealership gets "guaranteed" business that way and the delivery company doesn't have to hire a mechanic for a shop they don't have.
Keeping an employee is not as cheap as just an hourly wage. Keep in mind the benefits, insurance, workers comp, etc. and costs of just keeping the lights on in a shop.

 

Being contracted to a single company who would control your schedule and work load would be a pretty silly endeavor in almost all instances, especially if you can't bring in (or go to) outside work.

Being a self employed mobile heavy truck/equipment mechanic with a solid customer base and good reputation can be very very lucrative. As long as you have the tooling, the experience, the drive and the business sense, it's most likely the highest potential income for people in this field.

 

when i was putting together my shop, it was back in the mid to late 1980's.......so yeah, times have changed.

after estimating the costs, even with a mortgage on a paid for home, i said, no way, as back then, the state was upping the ante for EPA, fire control devices, and other assorted BS.

 

Seems like our rates in Canada are less per hour in Canadian dollars than the US in American dollars.