Timelimit on jobs it is very hard to put a time on a repair depending on the enviroment were the truck used to work and it is a touchy subject if you say it to a tech like me.Some managers have tried this were i work and here is the top 3 replys for a a tech would reply back
1.how long is a piece of string
2. it takes the time it takes
3 write down on a bit of paper what u dont want me to do and sign it
lol but true.
But an honest opinion when u get given jobs in a workshop u start the job and then 1 hour later you get taken of it to do something else and then ure back it and off it again thats what adds time on the job.If u get a truck thats been in a bad environment it can take longer to do jobs if everthing is seized and sometimes u have to look at the condition of the truck is it worth reconditioning?
If u put a penalty on someone for going over there time you will end up with no techs you would be better of having bonus if the work is completed in a given time after all money talks.
As for unforseen repairs or hidden damage anybody that has been a tech knows the when doing repairs things happen u get caught out u break something or u just cant work out what is wrong with the truck thats all part of the joys of being a tradesman in general were all human everybody has bad days but not everyday.
What i would say to u duodeluxe without being rude about it why dont you get your boiler suit on and go out on the workshop floor for a month and give the techs a demo on time to do jobs.
But i do think part of the problem you have to question is the quality of the truck u are reconditioning is the truck worth reconditiong taking in time and parts to get it up for resale.
I always moan about salemans when they go after customers were the envornment is really hard on trucks were u no the maintence is going to be high they put in rented trucks in i always think thats crazy but like most sales people there only interested in there commision i always think that a big problem from a view point of cost of repairs over 5 years.The damage the customer wont pay for and then when the trucks come out as you point out the time and parts to get the truck up for resale.
Another idea for you if you have a truck in for repair once the parts are orderded and they have arrived work out how long u think its going to take and book transport for the truck going back to the customer and then tell the tech when the transport is comming and that will make the tech go faster he wont like it but i bet he will have it ready before the lorry comes try it