Charge-out rates continue to rise
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• Charge-out rates paid to vehicle body repairers by the insurance companies continued to rise over the past three months according to the latest survey by the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA).
The survey shows improvements in the East and NorthWest Midlands with other areas stabilising around the association's recommended rate of ,£16 per hour. In much of the South East rates are £16.50 with Worthing, Reading, Oxford and Central London-based repairers charging £17.50.
However, in Durham, Northumberland and Newcastle repairers only receive £13.50 per hour from the insurers whereas the rate in the Channel Islands is averaging over £21 per hour.
Bob McCarthy, the VBRA's director general, warns that external factors mean that the rate must continue to rise. "Those who achieved /16 at the start of the year must now be charging £16.96 an hour to keep up with inflation," he says. He also highlights the uniform business rate, the demands of the COSHH regulations and the oil crisis as factors which are increasing bodyshops overheads.
series of one-day seminars on the theme of profit through quality.
The first two of the series are entitled The price of health and safety and The price of quality. The former will deal with the employer's responsibilities under the COSHH regulations, and report on forthcoming legislation
including the Control of Pollution proposals.
The price of quality will give guidance on how BS5750 will affect bodyshops and how to set about gaining the quality stan dard. , Dates for the health and safety seminars are: 4 Oct, Wakefied; 9 Oct. MOTEC; 16 Oct, Leicester and 23 Oct. Gloucester. Delegate fees are £60 plus VAT.
The BS5750 seminars will take place on the same days starting at 19,30hrs, delegate fees are £15 plus VAT. However, those attending the health and safety seminars during the day can attend the BS5750 seminars free of charge.
Other seminars in the series are: The price of survival — dealing with the current economic climate; and The price of success — looking at getting the maximum financial return from a business.
Bookings can be made through Pat Wilson on (0532) 538333.