I always did my own wrenching and had my son-in-law do the jobs I couldnt do. He always gave me a price beforehand. I cant do much anymore and my SIL has a broken arm so I went to a local mechanic and asked how much to change plugs. He said he wasnt sure, the job is a real PIA. iI dont feel comfortable having work done without knowing the cost. I didnt go anywhere else yet and is it common practice for garages not to give a price?

Typically there is a book they use that list how long the job should take that estimates are given off of. They take the time it list times the shop labor rate.

Ive been a mechanic since I was very young. Working a farm you just always do it. But there have been times ive had other people work on things. After back surgeries, harvest time...etc
If I go to a garage, ive never had them say it will be X amount. Too many variables
like rust and computer resets etc..
Sure you can go to the book and it says 2 1/2 hour job lol
I find most of the time it takes half the time their "book" says
but ive also found it to go the other way. Up here we have long winters with lots of salt on the road. These "books" don't take that into account.
Also if the book says 6 hour job and it only takes them three hours you'll get charged by many garages for six anyways.

The local mechanics around here are friends of mine and they don't give a price till the jobs done. Then charge me the real time it took.
And any work I did for my in laws was free. Just buy the parts. Then I would argue with them when they tried paying me lol

Majority go by the "book" price

Stealerships started this practice

Find a local that is honest and will charge you the actual time

391 I would not call the mechanic who you saw dishonest or shady as he may be going to charge you for actual time instead of book time.

You can search the www for " spark plug change time for ____________ " and get the book answer.

Shop rates is what is a shock.
>$120/hr is the norm around here