Need Your Opinions on Shop Quote
03-08-11, 03:49 PM
#1
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Need Your Opinions on Shop Quote
As some of you may know I'm dropped (not slammed) on Tein CS coils. I'm wanting to get supra LCA's, TCSportline UCA's (camber adjustable), inner and outer tie-rods, and a 4 wheel alignment. I went by a local shop that does everything from routine work to building crazy mustangs. I asked them if they will install customer parts and they said yes. But when I asked for a quote for labor I was shocked at the price, $950! I'm already looking at spending close to that on parts. To quote the guy at the shop "it looks like its going to be a pain in the ***" and then when I asked how long it would take hoping to get some clarity on where he came up with that number his response was "um about 2 days". I'm not saying that basically replacing my entire front suspension is an easy job, but I don't think its a $950 job. What do you guys think? And please don't tell me to do it myself, this is my DD and I do not have the time, tools, or know-how to undertake such a task. Looking forward to your input...
03-08-11, 04:58 PM
#2
If you do a simple rate calculation - $950 / 16 hours that's about $60 an hour for labor. I don't know if that's really high or low.
The job could probably be done in one day (10 hours?) with 2 people with all shop tools on hand. The only thing that is a potential time sink is the lower control arms. If the bolts are seized it's a PITA.
The wheel alignment could take about 2 hours or less.
You could probably find a shop that would do it for $500.
The job could probably be done in one day (10 hours?) with 2 people with all shop tools on hand. The only thing that is a potential time sink is the lower control arms. If the bolts are seized it's a PITA.
The wheel alignment could take about 2 hours or less.
You could probably find a shop that would do it for $500.
03-08-11, 05:43 PM
#3
damn expensive. they better be doing a superb job at that price. LCA, UCA, inner and outer tie rod shouldnt take more then 2 hours per side with air tools. i say you can probably find a shop that can do it for about 400 or less since its just labor. but im not sure what is the going rate in TX is. everywhere is different.
alignment might be more then usual because of the UCA.
alignment might be more then usual because of the UCA.
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03-09-11, 05:28 PM
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most performance shops will charge around 80 to 100 per hour. i would assume this job would take around 5-7 hours. i will check with chilton when i get back to my shop tomorrow.
03-10-11, 12:40 PM
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03-11-11, 02:11 PM
#13
UCAs calls for 5hrs book time
LCA calls for 3.5 hrs book time
tie rods 1hr for both sides
4.6 for front struts
2.5 for rear struts
it depends on labor rate if they charge 100/hr and charging you 8hrs is fair as long as they do good work. We charge 300-400 just for coil over install and adjust height and our labor rate is 80 most shops in Maryland are over 100 per hour. I much rather pay a shop 400 more to do the work right the first time and not have to come back with problems like rattles and shoddy work.
LCA calls for 3.5 hrs book time
tie rods 1hr for both sides
4.6 for front struts
2.5 for rear struts
it depends on labor rate if they charge 100/hr and charging you 8hrs is fair as long as they do good work. We charge 300-400 just for coil over install and adjust height and our labor rate is 80 most shops in Maryland are over 100 per hour. I much rather pay a shop 400 more to do the work right the first time and not have to come back with problems like rattles and shoddy work.
03-27-11, 06:53 PM
#14
If you do a simple rate calculation - $950 / 16 hours that's about $60 an hour for labor. I don't know if that's really high or low.
The job could probably be done in one day (10 hours?) with 2 people with all shop tools on hand. The only thing that is a potential time sink is the lower control arms. If the bolts are seized it's a PITA.
The wheel alignment could take about 2 hours or less.
You could probably find a shop that would do it for $500.
The job could probably be done in one day (10 hours?) with 2 people with all shop tools on hand. The only thing that is a potential time sink is the lower control arms. If the bolts are seized it's a PITA.
The wheel alignment could take about 2 hours or less.
You could probably find a shop that would do it for $500.
03-27-11, 07:19 PM
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Update! I found another local shop that quoted me $525. They are a performance shop that has worked on SCs before so I'm confident in my choice. Now I've just got to get all my parts. Thanks for all of the input guys!
Last edited by VanillaSC; 03-28-11 at 03:52 PM.