Tracking Project Hours
 

How are you tracking time spent? Is anyone using an app to keep track of time spent on various parts of their projects? Just using pen and paper? Not trying to be exact but it would be nice to know. Maybe not!: :eek:

Personal I wouldn’t do it. I’m afraid it would make it seem like I was punching the clock. I know I would be disheartened when I saw how long it took me but YMMV.

Murf

I’ve put some thought to the time spent, all the random driving, hunting parts online, researching, no kidding I bet research and hunting parts is equal to time spent wrenching. Good thing my second chance wife doesn’t mind all the time I spend there.

I have to keep detailed hours on a daily basis for work. No interest in doing so for my hobby. But yes being self employed I am a bit obsessed over time and how it relates to the all mighty dollar. I have thought about tracking time and expense in the past but in the long run just decided against it. After having tracked my time for the last 20 years I have a good sense of how long I spend on tasks. I can look back and do a pretty good estimate of the time I have into something. I keep receipts but do not want to add them up :eek:

If you really want to know you can get a time clock at staples for not much money. Just use the punch in and out card everytime you go to the shop.

an hourglass and hash marks in the sand :D

Two things you should never do concerning any hobby.

1). Keep track of money spent.

2). Keep track of time spent.

The point is to enjoy what you’re doing and not turn it into a job!

Somethings are best left unknown!!!

Exactly .. two things I never pay attention to, how much money I spend on my GTO, and how many hours I play games.

What do you mean ?? Pontiac time is a 24 hour thing it’s in the soul, runs through your blood type of deal. There’s no keeping track of hours.

+10 on "you don't want to know."

It's a hobby. It takes what it takes to get it done in your spare time. Don't worry about it and enjoy the process.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. Not trying to turn this into a JOB! So the clock started when I bought it and stops when I sell it or buy another or die! 'nuf said.

The car is NEVER completely finished and will alway require time. During resto time, thought about car per day was probably 10 hrs a day.
car is drivable now, ( won't say Finished) But still requires numerous hours a day of thought and what to do next.
As many have said already, DON'T count money or hours. Your Wife will find out and demand half.

I just keep a notebook with the date I start something and what I'm doing.

I don’t track hours but…I do have an excel spreadsheet that I put expenses into, it also has a parts list (to get) and a photolog so I can find the picture I’m looking for without having to go through hundreds of them.

BTW - I don’t total the expense column, I just like to have a record.

One of my friends is a CPA, and owns a beach house. A few years ago he bought a big boat, big enough to travel up and down the coast and sleep in at night. One weekend we were talking about how many fish he cuaght and the subject changed to how much gas his boat used. I asked him how much those fish cost per pound. We laughed about it, but he actually went home and calcuated how much his day fishing trip cost in terms of gasoline burnt, cost of gear, depreciation on the boat, etc. He told me he wished he never did the calcuation and sold the boat not long after that.

Some things are best left unknown.

Agree- I don’t want to know

I keep a diary on each car i have, tracking what i do on what date, data on parts installed, torque specs used, little assembly details, etc. Also take and file alot of pics. Never kept time. i do keep all receipts in files but have never done the math.

i am currently working on a 55 tbird owned by a friend who just recently closed his body shop. he has done all my body/paint in the past.

we are trading labor....i am sorting out his solid but 'barn find' tbird that has not been driven for decades, and he will teach me body and paint.

i write the hours spent at the top each diary page. i am setup well with a lift, etc, and work fairly efficiently. it is still surprising how many hours add up as you work on/restore a car. It confirms that you cannot afford to pay someone to do it for you if you want to stay right side up on your car.

I recommend not tracking time on your own projects....you might not like what you see. i would keep a diary though.

My whole life and all of my money.