Labor for stereo system install

[Raiderzfan]

Just wanted some feedback on cost to get system installed. I got a quote and I thought it seemed high but I haven't paid to have a system installed before I've always done them myself.
I'm supplying all the hardware and cables
install includes
5 ch amp
2 sets of k2s for front and rear
install and configure DSP
build custom box for 2 JL 12TW3s
I was quoted $2600 with $750 of that being the custom box build and materials.

thoughts?

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[BMWAF]

Can't help with costs as I'm on a different continent but my daily driver (not the Supra) just got butchered by some clowns - The "installers" destroyed my dash (put a large crack in it) and installed a head unit with a fresh ding in it. They deny all damage of course so it's off to war we go.

FML.

 

[Raiderzfan]

sorry to hear that, I just picked up my wife's new Acura from dealership for windshield replacement and they scratched the fender, luckily they took pictures when I dropped it off and was proof the damage wasn't there before the install, but now they have to repaint the fender but they are taking car of it without argument.

 

[JDG520]

I’ve been out of the industry for car audio for a few years but $1850 labor outside of the box seems high to me.
Most shops up charge for outside equipment. For that amount they better do a fantastic job.

 

[Raiderzfan]

I’ve been out of the industry for car audio for a few years but $1850 labor outside of the box seems high to me.
Most shops up charge for outside equipment. For that amount they better do a fantastic job.

I am working directly with the installer and he has me convinced he has done Supras and other high end builds before and said the price is due to the amount of time he will take to do the install correct and not rushed. $160 an hour he said 2 full days possibly into a 3rd. Another shop quoted me about $500-600 less but they have never done a Supra before.
thanks for the reply!

 

[DVMKV]

As a previous installer of 8 years, I would say that is a bit pricey but it also depends on how much custom work was being performed and your location. In my area, a rough estimate would be -

5 ch amp - $200
2 sets of k2s for front and rear - $300
install and configure DSP - $200-500, depends on system complexity
build custom box for 2 JL 12TW3s - $500ish + materials

 

[DVMKV]

I am working directly with the installer and he has me convinced he has done Supras and other high end builds before and said the price is due to the amount of time he will take to do the install correct and not rushed. $160 an hour he said 2 full days possibly into a 3rd. Another shop quoted me about $500-600 less but they have never done a Supra before.
thanks for the reply!

This is tough to agree with paying extra so the installer doesn't feel rushed. At the end of the day, we're paid to install what the customer has asked and meet an end goal. If I need extra time because I'm trying to be extra meticulous or I need to constantly look things up, that's not on the customer so I would not just charge you $750+ more. On top of that, a large portion of this work is done in the trunk and the same panels need to be removed for a number of these devices. If I was doing one at a time, I we likely would meet at a similar labor price, but since I'm in that area anyways, it saves a good portion of my time.

 

[Raiderzfan]

This is tough to agree with paying extra so the installer doesn't feel rushed. At the end of the day, we're paid to install what the customer has asked and meet an end goal. If I need extra time because I'm trying to be extra meticulous or I need to constantly look things up, that's not on the customer so I would not just charge you $750+ more. On top of that, a large portion of this work is done in the trunk and the same panels need to be removed for a number of these devices. If I was doing one at a time, I we likely would meet at a similar labor price, but since I'm in that area anyways, it saves a good portion of my time.

To be fair to him he said he would put in some supplied dynomat while he was in there and replace the factory rear brace with a Cusco one I bought. My price concern was when he said $500 to install a 5 channel amp, another $500-600 for the DSP install and setup, so another $900 to install speakers that seems excessive. How would I go about negotiating without sounding like an A-hole, I know you get what you pay for but I don't want to be overcharged either, which is why I'm asking for opinions.

 

[JDG520]

This is tough to agree with paying extra so the installer doesn't feel rushed. At the end of the day, we're paid to install what the customer has asked and meet an end goal. If I need extra time because I'm trying to be extra meticulous or I need to constantly look things up, that's not on the customer so I would not just charge you $750+ more. On top of that, a large portion of this work is done in the trunk and the same panels need to be removed for a number of these devices. If I was doing one at a time, I we likely would meet at a similar labor price, but since I'm in that area anyways, it saves a good portion of my time.

Agreed 100%.

At the end of the day it’s the installers job to do the job cleanly and correctly. I wish I could have just dragged my feet on installs and charged more. Everything was always priced based off complexity and piece part in my shop.

Regardless OP if you’re comfortable with the installer and price then do it.

Post some pics when it’s done, always interested to see ideas for custom boxes in this car.

 

[JDG520]

To be fair to him he said he would put in some supplied dynomat while he was in there and replace the factory rear brace with a Cusco one I bought. My price concern was when he said $500 to install a 5 channel amp, another $500-600 for the DSP install and setup, so another $900 to install speakers that seems excessive. How would I go about negotiating without sounding like an A-hole, I know you get what you pay for but I don't want to be overcharged either, which is why I'm asking for opinions.

I’ll be honest. You’re not going to talk him down. He’s going to charge what he feels is fair and you’ll either need to accept that or find someone else. I never did charity work and charged accordingly, we all have bills to pay.

Edit: to add to this, *some* installers are worth the cost. There are tons of hacks in the industry, even in the same shop.

 

[DVMKV]

I’ll be honest. You’re not going to talk him down. He’s going to charge what he feels is fair and you’ll either need to accept that or find someone else. I never did charity work and charged accordingly, we all have bills to pay.

Edit: to add to this, *some* installers are worth the cost. There are tons of hacks in the industry, even in the same shop.

I would agree you're not likely to get him to move on the price MUCH. You may be able to wiggle $100-200 out of him, but you also didn't mention that he's installing Dynomat and the Cusco Bar. Dynomat is time consuming and a good markup item for the shop. I will say $500 for speakers is pretty high but he might have wrapped Dynomat time into that, but the DSP could be $500 depending on its complexity.

If possible, ask for some pictures of his former work. If you're happy with the quality, then the price may be worth extra. Every installer has pictures of their work, if they don't, they're 100% a hack.

 

[Bug2th]

My thought process for pretty much any kind of job is someone new that doesn’t have all the right tools better not be charging premium $$ as I’m not paying that for a learning experience. Shops that have done this work a lot can charge more but they should be able to do it faster too.

 

[itzTang]

its a supra they see that and add $ just for that LOL

 

[BMWAF]

sorry to hear that, I just picked up my wife's new Acura from dealership for windshield replacement and they scratched the fender, luckily they took pictures when I dropped it off and was proof the damage wasn't there before the install, but now they have to repaint the fender but they are taking car of it without argument.

After some back and forth they've agreed to fix everything but what a head-fuck. And the same morons that did the damage get to work on my car again. Ugh.

This industry is like the PPF/Detailing one. Complete sham. If you find a good installer at any price, consider yourself lucky.

 

[Raiderzfan]

I would agree you're not likely to get him to move on the price MUCH. You may be able to wiggle $100-200 out of him, but you also didn't mention that he's installing Dynomat and the Cusco Bar. Dynomat is time consuming and a good markup item for the shop. I will say $500 for speakers is pretty high but he might have wrapped Dynomat time into that, but the DSP could be $500 depending on its complexity.

If possible, ask for some pictures of his former work. If you're happy with the quality, then the price may be worth extra. Every installer has pictures of their work, if they don't, they're 100% a hack.

I've talked to 3 different shops and this was the first real good vibe/feeling I got from an installer that really knows his stuff and he talked me into the DSP instead of line converter. I went back to ask him a few more questions and if there was a way to shave a little off the install charges because my other quotes were quite a bit less, I also said I don't mind paying for quality and expertise but don't want to pay double either. His response was solid, we agreed I'll buy the K2 conversion kit to simplify the door speaker install and that shaved an hour ($160 an hour) the amp and DSP install he said will be installed hidden but accessible without taking the car apart. He also said he quoted me highest possible so no surprises but should be well under if no surprises and I will only be billed actual time no fluff. He seems like a straight forward guy so I'm going to have him do it. I don't mind paying to have it done right I've seen some hack jobs and he said my other quotes could be from people not familiar with the car and could go up by time it's done or they could do a shit job for their quote. Which he's right,.

Thanks for the advice, I feel good about it now!

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