How to Chop a $4,000 Bill Down to $600

Here's an interesting money saving tip: get students to do work for you -- you'll save a ton on labor costs. The details:

At any one time, 11 million students in this country are preparing for jobs in auto repair, home construction, Web design, computer technology, horticulture, cosmetology . . . the list goes on. And in each class, whether it's at a high school, a community college or one of 1,400 vocational-technical centers, the instructional mantra is the same: to learn by doing.

Here's one example of how this has worked:

Even using a conservative rate, Dennis Neal figures he's saved more than $10,000 by taking his vehicles to Madison County Area Technology Center in Richmond, Ky. His last project -- a weeks-long, bumper-to-bumper troubleshoot of a 1979 Ford F-350 pickup -- barely nicked his wallet at $600 for parts. A garage would have cost more than $4,000.

The other advantages of using students is that they are generally taught the "right" way to do things (versus car shops who may or may not be adequately trained) and they use good materials and have decent equipment. The downside, of course, is experience. And you have to be flexible on timing -- students often work limited hours.

Here's an example showing some of the pros and cons of such an arrangement:

In Oklahoma City, Tina Woodfork waited four months for her custom-built kitchen from Metro Technology Centers. Students often spend just a few hours a day in a skills class and work carefully, stopping for instruction.

The payoff for Woodfork's patience? Beautiful cabinets with raised panel doors and concealed hinges, an island and a counter for less than $1,000 -- the cost of the red oak the instructor bought at a contractor's discount. A professional would have had to charge $8,000 to $10,000 to cover labor, workers' compensation and insurance.

The piece also lists a wide variety of services you can get using this method including haircuts, food, tax preparation, shed, computer repair, preschool classes, facial, dog grooming, flowers arranged at a wedding, business cards, newsletters and posters, and a Web page for your nonprofit or small business. I'm sure there are many more too as more and more schools are emphasizing hands-on experience as part of the education process.

I'm torn on this one. While I love saving money, I am leery of the quality issue as well as intolerant of the timing problem. I can't afford to be without my car for a week or so (if that's what it would be.) A haircut (which I have done at a school before), dog grooming, or website is one thing, but auto repair or building within my house, I'm not so sure I'd let students do that -- even if I saved a bundle.

What do you think of this idea? I realize many of you reading this won't have such a school in your city. But for those of you who do, do you take advantage of this (or would you if you knew where to go)?

Comments

[plonkee]

You can often get dentistry done more cheaply at a dental school, funnily enough, I'd consider doing that, but I wouldn't trust a student to cut my hair (or even worse, waxing). Arranging flowers, making furniture, doing repairs, yes.

[Bill Chen]

It depends on the individual. Time is also money. If you are a person who values time, then spend more money to get the things done quickly. If not, save more but wait a longer time.

[Tim]

I'd consider some of those. There are a number of local "chop shops" that take new grads from the local hair academies. The difference between stylists is greater than an established shop. I prefer my local barber whom I've used since highschool (prom, actually). The only problem is they work M-F 9-4:30PM (a half hour away) and I work M-F 8-5PM. They are similarly priced to the walk-in places and the service is "a cut above" the walk-in places. There's another barber who's been around soooo long that everyone gets the same cut no matter what you ask for. He's quite affordable (like $6.25, last time), but it's pretty much the uni-style from the 1950's.

I wish I could find a tech school who'd make me cabinets like those mentioned, fix my car, or landscape for a good price! I'd use them. I'm 90% frugal and 10% get-it-done-while-I'm-still-motivated/willing. I'd try them. How much worse than DIY can it be?? (I'm not *THE* handiest guy around).

[Lord]

If you had to eat out until your kitchen was done, it would get expensive in a hurry.