Originally Posted by
oddjob2
Around Ann Arbor, a full LBS refurb with overhaul and cleaning/polishing is about $175-$200 + parts. Share that info with your friend and let him decide, that approach has always worked well for me.
http://www.sictransitcycles.com/services-repair
Doing a repair at a shop is not the same as doing one in your garage. Rent, liability and labor all factor into a shop's costs. Micheal & Joe at Sic Transit, for example, need to subsidize a labor intensive professional flipping/custom rebuild operation, not the best example, IMO.
Charge for parts, and some beer/pizza whatever.
I won't do repairs for anyone other than a good friend, Bike shops make their best margin on repairs, and personally, I want all the LBS's to stay in business.