pay per hour

I need to have the struts on the front end of my 95 riviera replaced. I already have them and will have my friend put them on for me. But i was wondering how much I should pay him. I am aware that there is a book that tells how many hours a job will take. Is there a base $ amount that could be applied to a per hour type job. I want to be fair to my friend but at the same time not come out of the pocket too much.

i think the dealer charges ~87 per hour and the struts will take about 4hrs if its just your friend. depending on the tools available and his experience. btw what struts did you go with? i just did my fronts (KYB GR-2) and by myself, with minimal tools (ie no air tools) and i have never done struts before. It took me all afternoon! about 4hrs for the first one and then only about 1.5hr for the second b/c i learned how to do it. make sure you get new top mounts and bearings if you can aford it. it will save you money and worry in the long run. my mounts were in ok shape for 120k mi. but i should have gotten new bearings.

Make him an offer of $50.00 if he is satisfied he will tell you or ask him for a price.

I'd say it depends on just how qualified your friend is? Is he a mechanic by trade? If it is how he makes his living, you should pay him more than you might otherwise. Consider the alternatives: you pay a shop, or you do it yourself. Now if this is a Good friend, he may not even accept any money. :)