this is completely my opinion:
if you look on mitchell or alldata there is an assortment of labor time associated with transmission rebuild. i would find an appropriate labor time based on the vehicle and see if it makes sense if you doing a 42re in jeep and the book calls for 16 hours but you know the bolts on the bellhousing break or something along those lines do not be shy to charge the extra hour. remember this is an estimate. ive seen some shop have an up to 10% with in quote policy ie they dont need to call the customer if the price goes up 10%.
mark up parts! use a matrix ive seen the link on here somewhere.
dont forget to tell your customer you do the extra work that you do. build value.
and last IMO you really need to hire a general tech to do oil changes brakes and other maintenances. if your husband puts out a good product why cant he supervise somebody doing the work also. this person could also drive customers home. he can also be taught to remove and install the trans and her husband can continue to rebuild them.
you need to start doing more than just trans rebuilds remember focus on service too! all the chain trans places do brakes and axles and such. sell it while its there, there is nothing wrong with selling work on a car that the car needs.
