A method of payment for the work of automotive technicians. If an operation calls for a time frame of two hours (called the "flat rate" for that job), than the labor charge will be 2X the shop's hourly rate. If the technician is proficient at this particular operation and is able to do it in half the time, the customer still pays for two hours of labor, and the tech earns two hours of pay for one hour of work. Conversely, if the tech does the job in more than the allowed time, the customer still pays for two hours. This method of payment holds a standard hourly rate for the customer, and yet rewards high skilled technicians.