What’s a good price for a custom shop to do work?

[Blitzinger]

I have a shop quoting me $150/hour for installing aux switches and I plan to ask to install a few other things. Seems kind of pricey but as this is my first jeep, I’m a bit new to the scene and what’s considered a lot.

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[TheOpa]

What else do you have them doing? And where in NY are you? If you are even remotely mechanically inclined the lights are pretty easy. Whether or not you have your own tools, factory installed aux switches or something like the VOSwitch set up changes the installation plan and time to perform, but there are a ton of helpful people on this forum who have pretty much done everything you can imagine and likely have also documented here exactly what you need to do. Another benefit of doing the work yourself is knowing what to do when you are out in the woods if something goes wrong.

I agree that $150/ hr seems like a lot of money.

 

[Minty JL]

Here in the Maryland/DC region $125-150 an hour is pretty much the norm.

Dealers are near $200 an hour depending on the manufacturer ie Lexus and BMW

 

[Blitzinger]

What else do you have them doing? And where in NY are you? If you are even remotely mechanically inclined the lights are pretty easy. Whether or not you have your own tools, factory installed aux switches or something like the VOSwitch set up changes the installation plan and time to perform, but there are a ton of helpful people on this forum who have pretty much done everything you can imagine and likely have also documented here exactly what you need to do. Another benefit of doing the work yourself is knowing what to do when you are out in the woods if something goes wrong.

I agree that $150/ hr seems like a lot of money.

I’m not mechanically inclined. At all. I actually am impressed i was able to insert the armorlite flooring in the rear seats myself although there’s some issues with how they came cut from the factory that I think need some tailoring (specifically the holes where the seats bolt down are a bit long and need a razor blade to cut). I tried to do the front but I think a full seat removal is needed and have heated seats so not wanting to touch anything electrical. Asking them to help finish it and help clip the trim back because I can’t figure that out.

I’m having them install oculus headlights, the aux switches, grille amber lights and hopefully finish the armorlite work.

If I can get out of there for $600 I’ll be happy.

 

[TheOpa]

I’m not mechanically inclined. At all. I actually am impressed i was able to insert the armorlite flooring in the rear seats myself although there’s some issues with how they came cut from the factory that I think need some tailoring (specifically the holes where the seats bolt down are a bit long and need a razor blade to cut). I tried to do the front but I think a full seat removal is needed and have heated seats so not wanting to touch anything electrical. Asking them to help finish it and help clip the trim back because I can’t figure that out.

I’m having them install oculus headlights, the aux switches, grille amber lights and hopefully finish the armorlite work.

If I can get out of there for $600 I’ll be happy.

Ah, OK. If you don’t have a background or interest in mechanical work, especially electrical stuff, it is best left to a professional. I had no idea rates were that high. Yikes! I like to do my own work, saves me the money for more parts. It becomes a vicious cycle where I still end up spending the money anyway. ?

 

[GOCAMPN]

My usual shop charges $150 an hour. I like them and they're close to home. As a return customer I always have them recheck their previous work when I'm in for something, it's a nice peace of mind to know everything is still torqued up correctly by the same guy who did it to begin with.

 

[Minty JL]

Better to pay a little more up front then paying to have it done twice.

 

[Rubiwoo]

My 2 cents:
1. You purchased a Jeep, you should learn to work on it
2. Join a Jeep club in your area
3. Host an install day (Beer, BBQ and Build)

You'll learn something that will last a life time and then you can pass it on to another... That is how I learned to work on cars. I was fortunate to have a friend with a Dad who enjoyed building cars.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

My 2 cents:
1. You purchased a Jeep, you should learn to work on it
2. Join a Jeep club in your area
3. Host an install day (Beer, BBQ and Build)

You'll learn something that will last a life time and then you can pass it on to another... That is how I learned to work on cars. I was fortunate to have a friend with a Dad who enjoyed building cars.

I can see where this could read rough to someone new to Jeeps. But point 1 is the honest truth. The ornamental mods like lights- a lot of people will lean to a professional for clean electrical work…. But if you plan to off road, things will break. Shop rates are about the same here $150-200. My last Jeep 16 jku hard rock- the labor cost for the amount of parts I broke would have exceeded my initial purchase price (no joke) if I did not turn my own wrenches. Get with a Jeep group in your area, get together- folks are always willing to help and teach. Beer fridge is worth its weight in gold…..???

don’t be intimidated- learning to turn wrenches should leave you confident in knowing when things break away from civilization, you can make it out.

 

[Rubiwoo]

Sorry, if my comment reads rough, not meant to in any way.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

150 is VERY reasonable and pretty much the norm here. Dealers are closer to 200/hour.

I'm been an auto electrician for years (I've done other as well). So I am picky as heck and do my own electric on my vehicles. No one will be hacking my wiring.

As for the other - few could live up to my standards so I also try to do all of my own non-warranty work there as well if I have time and equipment. I do work for others in my shop so sometimes my own stuff waits or sits or goes undone.

 

[jay21mojave]

I have a shop quoting me $150/hour for installing aux switches and I plan to ask to install a few other things. Seems kind of pricey but as this is my first jeep, I’m a bit new to the scene and what’s considered a lot.

That for NY is not a bad labor rate. I have read the other posts and all have good points. My thought is if the shop you have chosen conveniently schedules you; communicates well with you-explains the work so you understand; guarantees their work. Then you found a good place. Seriously look into improving your Jeep mechanical knowledge and It's your Money - Get what you Want; no 2nd guessing.

 

[Jeepasaurus_Rex]

$150 isn't bad if its a professional job. You're not paying them for what they know... You're paying them for what they do with what they know.

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