What is a reasonable install quote?
02-05-2010, 03:09 PM
#11
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,855
if you're going to a good shop expect to pay around $400 maybe even $500 depending on the quality of products you choose to install... a good shop will immediately try to sell you 3 sets of RCA cables for future use ( possibly rear amp and sub amp) and a heavy guage wire to be able to support extra amps at a later date. instead of having to redo the installation when you choose to expand your system
deadening usually costs around $100-125/door depending on product
deadening usually costs around $100-125/door depending on product
02-05-2010, 03:49 PM
#12
Go and talk with Selective Sounds. It's easy to speculate about the cost and work, but it's different when you meet a shop owner face to face and listen to his input as well.
Deadening doors is not all that difficult. I did the back half of my car with a little reading and a friend (roller and heat gun on sale from CT). Peel, cut stick...wax on...wax off. Pretty simple.
Deadening doors is not all that difficult. I did the back half of my car with a little reading and a friend (roller and heat gun on sale from CT). Peel, cut stick...wax on...wax off. Pretty simple.
02-06-2010, 01:42 AM
#13
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 730
4-500 bones for install, agreed. a buck to buck fifty for deadening, agreed. do I agree that doing the deadening is easy? No. It should look like it's part of the door when it's done, otherwise you risk gaps. gaps equal condensation and well, rust. It takes time and patience to do it right, something that you will pay for, but in the end it will pay off, so unless you can do it yourself, pay to play. I also agree that future proofing is a good idea, as this hobby does get addictive. Once you get a taste of it, it's hard to settle down with what you have... Kinda like buying a tv... You think it's big enough, but once you look twice, you want bigger. We could expand that thought to other areas, but I think you get the idea lol
02-12-2010, 11:25 AM
#14
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Sigh ... $4-500 for install. ~$150 (/door?!) for deadening. That's already $650. This is getting a lot more expensive than I expected.
I originally came here to make sure I wont get ripped off, so I don't overpay for these services ... but I suppose this completely testament against the fact.
Jaguar mechanics charge $120/hr for their services, my mechanic charges $50/hr. And he does quality work. Are car audio installers that much more expensive, or will a simple amp/front component install really take 4 (jaguar rate) to 8 (private mechanic's rate) hours to do?
I guess I was totally wrong ...
Anyway, looking at it with an opportunity cost perspective, if I take a day off work .. I lose ~$100-150. (laugh all you want, I don't make a lot). I'd save a ton of money if I do it myself, HOWEVER ... I lack the tools, but more importantly the space/location and expertise. I've never cracked anything open before in my car, not even a headlight change (though I do plan on doing that myself when they finally burn out).
Are there anyone out there that can lend me a hand (and a heated garage) so I can learn how to do it myself, and not have to pay $4-500 plus materials? Time will definitely be financially compensated.
I originally came here to make sure I wont get ripped off, so I don't overpay for these services ... but I suppose this completely testament against the fact.
Jaguar mechanics charge $120/hr for their services, my mechanic charges $50/hr. And he does quality work. Are car audio installers that much more expensive, or will a simple amp/front component install really take 4 (jaguar rate) to 8 (private mechanic's rate) hours to do?
I guess I was totally wrong ...
Anyway, looking at it with an opportunity cost perspective, if I take a day off work .. I lose ~$100-150. (laugh all you want, I don't make a lot). I'd save a ton of money if I do it myself, HOWEVER ... I lack the tools, but more importantly the space/location and expertise. I've never cracked anything open before in my car, not even a headlight change (though I do plan on doing that myself when they finally burn out).
Are there anyone out there that can lend me a hand (and a heated garage) so I can learn how to do it myself, and not have to pay $4-500 plus materials? Time will definitely be financially compensated.
02-12-2010, 03:24 PM
#15
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16,855
^ You came on here and asked for rates. You are going to get professional rates. The pricing looked to be including parts as well incidentally.
lol, and then when you don't like what you hear you want to bitch about it and insult us with talking about a "private mechanic" vs a licensed and insured shop?
Go try Craigslist - lots of "private installers" on there I am sure. Let them cut holes into your car
lol, and then when you don't like what you hear you want to bitch about it and insult us with talking about a "private mechanic" vs a licensed and insured shop?
Go try Craigslist - lots of "private installers" on there I am sure. Let them cut holes into your car
02-12-2010, 04:05 PM
#16
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
^ You came on here and asked for rates. You are going to get professional rates. The pricing looked to be including parts as well incidentally.
lol, and then when you don't like what you hear you want to bitch about it and insult us with talking about a "private mechanic" vs a licensed and insured shop?
Go try Craigslist - lots of "private installers" on there I am sure. Let them cut holes into your car
lol, and then when you don't like what you hear you want to bitch about it and insult us with talking about a "private mechanic" vs a licensed and insured shop?
Go try Craigslist - lots of "private installers" on there I am sure. Let them cut holes into your car
I was genuinely only curious and just stating my opinions as I have no basis to rate against this. Just a poor new-grad struggling with funds, trying to enjoy this new hobby while making sure I don't get ripped off. Trying to emphasize this. I'd gladly pay what it's worth, I just want to be informed so that I don't run into a situation where the installation was overcharged and underdelivered.
What better way to understand this than to ask enthusiasts of my community? Are you suggesting I don't have the right to play unless my pocketbook is large enough?
As an economics major, I am just trying to understand the market rates. I drew a comparison to mechanics as they seem to be insured and require intensive training/background to work on vehicles. (similar to car audio installers.. I almost expected them to make more since they are a necessity rather than a luxury). I was merely stating my observations - and definitely not trying to offend anyone.
I suppose I hadn't considered the fact the car audio world is much smaller, therefore the market is likely not nearly as competitive. Therefore rates can be charged much higher, and it's understandable to a point. I just wish it weren't so.
Again - I really don't see how my posts were offense, but again .. I do apologize and I suppose I'm not welcomed here. Thank you all for your time and help.
02-12-2010, 04:26 PM
#17
There aresome folks in your area that might be able to help u with your install, if i wasent injured at the moment i would lend a hand.
Personally i think the install rates are on the high side for whatever reason the industry may have?, that being said to remedy that problem i learned to do things myself. Hang in there, someone may jump in and help you out, i know how tough it is trying to enjoy "extras" when money is tight.
Personally i think the install rates are on the high side for whatever reason the industry may have?, that being said to remedy that problem i learned to do things myself. Hang in there, someone may jump in and help you out, i know how tough it is trying to enjoy "extras" when money is tight.
02-12-2010, 04:56 PM
#18
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 519
To lighten the installation cost you could either do it yourself (everyone at some point had no idea what they were doing. Myself included. This forum + search function is you friend) Or get your gear installed one day, then get the doors deadened another day.
The $500 quote would be for speakers/amp and installation. You could buy your gear off of ebay and get them to install it. The install for a amp/wireing kit ran me $100 + tax back in the day.
The $500 quote would be for speakers/amp and installation. You could buy your gear off of ebay and get them to install it. The install for a amp/wireing kit ran me $100 + tax back in the day.
02-12-2010, 05:01 PM
#19
For that amount of power.. You;d need run at least a 14 guage, preferably 12 guage speaker wire driectly into the doors to make full use of that power. You have a good hour right there.
Running the power wire and RCA's is another hour to do a clean job. Properly sound deadening the doors and installing the components in a solid manner that will actually make them worth their potential is a solid 3 hours. Mounting and wiring up the amp plus tuning is another 45 minutes to an hour.
You're looking at 6 hours of labour, plus parts. Depending on your area that's $50-75/hour. Then you have the cost of wiring. 15 feet of REAL 4 guage plus a quality fise holder is going to run you about $75. a quality pair of RCA's is another $40-100. and Sound deadening material another $120 or so.
If thr car has been rust proofed... there's at least extra half-hour added to the bill for all the extra time cleaning so the sound deadening material will stick properly.
You go to a mechanic to change some parts and it's $50/h. A Professional installer is worth at least as much as any corner garage mechanic and will take about the time listed above to do a job that will last, and perform optimally. Same job can be done in about 3 hours. But it'll be rushed. The speaker wires from the amp will just be wired behind your radio (18 guage speaker wire) the speakers won't be mounted very solid...etc..etc.
It's what it costs to do a really good job
Running the power wire and RCA's is another hour to do a clean job. Properly sound deadening the doors and installing the components in a solid manner that will actually make them worth their potential is a solid 3 hours. Mounting and wiring up the amp plus tuning is another 45 minutes to an hour.
You're looking at 6 hours of labour, plus parts. Depending on your area that's $50-75/hour. Then you have the cost of wiring. 15 feet of REAL 4 guage plus a quality fise holder is going to run you about $75. a quality pair of RCA's is another $40-100. and Sound deadening material another $120 or so.
If thr car has been rust proofed... there's at least extra half-hour added to the bill for all the extra time cleaning so the sound deadening material will stick properly.
You go to a mechanic to change some parts and it's $50/h. A Professional installer is worth at least as much as any corner garage mechanic and will take about the time listed above to do a job that will last, and perform optimally. Same job can be done in about 3 hours. But it'll be rushed. The speaker wires from the amp will just be wired behind your radio (18 guage speaker wire) the speakers won't be mounted very solid...etc..etc.
It's what it costs to do a really good job
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