While $45 hr isn't a lot of money I can see where it cuts into saving by DIY. You wont have to buy the tools either if you're an apartment dweller. I lived in apartments for 15 years before I bought my house & had no room for tools. Remember that the owner has a lot of money in the building, tools, insurance, mortgage, property taxes, etc & cant give the space away for free. If you're a regular customer & it takes you 2 hrs to do brakes I might charge you $50 for the job instead of the hourly rate & you'll be hanging at a place with other gear heads willing to help each other out & you can make new friends. Probably more productive than hanging out at your local bar. If you live where there are severe winters you dont want to be working outside when it's 20* especially if it's your only car & need it for work.