From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Comparison of pre-war and present-day motor car repair costs, detailing the increase in labour and material prices.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan149 | |
| Date | 30th September 1919 | |
| COPY. MOTOR CAR REPAIRS. D44/DL29.8.19. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} L5/B30.9.19. This matter has been delayed owing to searching for a pre war repair cost - they however all seem to have been destroyed. CJ asks what is the comparative cost of present repairs with pre war - my reply is 1d. per mile against 1/3d per mile. Example:- Pre-war: Labour (say 65% of the work) £65 Material (say 35% of the work) £35 £100 Present: Labour as above £65 Increase in rate, addition of premium bonus, and reduction of hours* 153% 99. 9. 0 £164. 9. 0 Addition of est. charges 50% 82. 4. 6 £246. 13. 6. Material as above £35 Increase on catalogue prices 100% £35 70. 0. 0 £316. 13. 6. When the basis of 1/3d per mile was fixed no establishment charges were included. The figures then quoted on estimates were:- Labour Material 9d per hr. per catalogue. now we quote:- 2/9 " " ditto plus 100% increase of present rate 266% 100% which is equivalent to 208% increase on the whole, taking labour as 65% and material 35% of the job. * 153% arrived at thus:- Fitter pre war 36/- for 53 hours and no premium bonus Now 45/- for 47 hours equals for 53 hours 50/9 Premium Bonus 12/8 63/5 War Bonus 21/6 84/11 7½% 6/4 91/3 Increase 55/3 | ||