Any one out here in automotive repair? Do you set up your labor as a item or a service?

[fixsir448]

I am just venturing into the Square invoicing, we are a small, family-owned auto repair facility. My labor rate is currently set up as a "Item" without tax, but I don't really like how it prints on my reports, as I like my parts and labor seperate. I tried playing with "Service" but even though I set the parimeters to increments of 0.5 hours of service, when I charge it out, it always changes it to a whole hour of time(usually removing the additional half hour of labor.) Anyone out there using the software for automotive, and how do you set up your labor?

Also, suggestions for milage, year, make, model? Wondering if the customization upgrade would let me do this? Currently, I write it all into the description of the invoice.

[TheRealChipA]

@fixsir448 Welcome to the Square Community!  I'm going to tag a fellow Square Champion here -- @Minion.  His business model is automative, and I'm betting he has lots of ideas and suggestions.  Best.

[Minion]

Thanks for the tag @TheRealChipA .   

Welcome @fixsir448   Its nice to see another auto business around here, they seem few and far between. 

I'm not sure why your hours would be doing that, I would try and remove that from your library and then re add it.  I just checked mine I have it set as an Item , and its a pretty basic setting I thought when I set my items it was 0.00 but that may have been for the ounces for paint/clear coat etc. 

There isn't a way to separate the labor and items from one another, a simple "line" function would be a nice customization to add when creating our invoices., I generally try to remember to move the labor charges all the way to the bottom row when I' m done (except for in the example below).

For the vehicle, I found it easiest to simply use the VIN as the invoice title. That way upon returning, I can always go back and enter the VIN into the search bar if needed. I have attached a fake invoice (using Invoice Plus) so you can see how that is laid out vs what you are able to to see if it is worth the upgrade. 

Let me know if you have any further questions, and or if removing the and re-adding the labor as an item fixes your issue