LABOR OPINIONS...

Ok fellas I don't post a lot but read daily, got a question. I purchased an add a leaf kit and some new extended height shocks. I do NOT wrench on my truck so I went to 2 different local shops to see what they would charge and was quoted 400-500.00 to install.

Just their labor and my parts. Sounds high but I know nothing about the difficulty of an add a leaf kit (which seems to be their hang up) I'm sure the shocks are not hard but I don't know this as fact.

What say you TW guys? Am I getting hosed or just the price for not doing my own wrenching? Thanks in advance.

EDIT- I don't think I was clear on original post... Rear add a leaf and Rear shocks only. Nothing up front, that is why I questioned the labor cost.

 

Your best bet is to call around the area to several shops and get an idea on what it costs to pay labor in your area.

That being said it doesn't sound terrible for my area. If I was taking on the liability of a customer bringing me parts to install, I'm covering my butt.

 

Try an exhaust shop, out here most will do lift installs and they're usually way cheaper than any 'specialized' 4x4 shop or the like. AAL and shocks is not something you need a specialized shop to do, shouldn't take them more than a couple hours.

 

Yes, sounds “reasonable” for an established shop around here. The install cost is why I did the install myself.

 

No urge or want to learn to DIY? Easy to install and gives you pride knowing you DIY and saved a bunch of money. I knew nothing about working on vehicles and learned everything via YouTube, forums and the the old dudes at part counters.

 

Sounds about right at 100 an hour for labor. 400 is normal 500 is on high side
and does that include alignment or not and if it does then not bad

 

Some people don't have the space, tools or knowledge

 

Just pointing it out. Some people just need some encouragement. I started using a friends parking pad and tools. Where there's a will, there's a way!

 

So, I typically do most of my wrenching but when it came to this truck at this point I have more money than I have time. For me its easier to pay someone to put on shocks etc. Now on my car I do 90% of the work as its my project car and I enjoy that
edit: but it also depends on the job I am doing as far as cost benefit ratio

 

Seems reasonable. Lots of shops will also quote high if you bring in your own parts since they're not making any money selling you them.

 

I've unfortunately (Fortunately maybe?) started to get this way. Certain things I cannot be bothered with an I have a good relationship with the owner of the shop next door to my office. Its great to come into the office, hand him my keys and then drive away after work. No inconvenience required lol.

 

or just dont want to deal with it.

i still feel for the poor bastard that had to change my rusted seized lcas

 

The shocks are really easy, especially if you don't need to save the old ones because getting the nut off the top without snapping/cutting or otherwise mangling up the stud can be impossible on an old/corroded shock. Someone with the knowledge and tools should be able to slap on both shocks in under an hour while drinking a beer. The leafs can take more time, but an auto shop that does work on trucks shouldn't have much trouble. I think 4 hours or $400 is not unreasonable since they are not making any $ on parts. Sometimes when an unknown customer walks in and wants parts they supply to be installed the shop will estimate/quote high because they don't really know what they are getting themselves into or how much of a PITA the customer might be. You could think of it as some insurance for a potentially shitty job that doesn't go well.

 

Exactly. I just had all digital gauges installed in my nova. Could I have done it? probably. It would have taken me literally days of removing dash and finding wires etc etc. I am not that knowledgeable on that stuff and felt more comfortable having a pro do it. I dropped that baby off and picked it up and it was great lol. NOW I did strip the interior and grind it all down and coat it and then reinstall the interior. Just depends on the job and etc

 

Thanks for all the responses fellas. I assume the add a leaf is a PIA and thats where most of the labor is. It is what it is when ya dont do your own wrenching...

 

Unfortunately whenever you supply the parts to any shop to do the work they generally will charge you for every minute of labor it takes them to complete the job, as theres no profit that they can make on the parts.

 

make sure you have a backup vehicle to drive. I did my fox shocks with the help of a friend. It took us two days to do the job, but worth the experience and labor cost savings.

I learned a lot about how to install suspension. I think next time it would only take half a day.

I did not touch the leaf springs though, but the videos seem to show they are easier than the shocks.

 

If thats just for the aal’s it’s a bit high. If that’s for front and rear and the alignment, it’s spot on.

 

Nope just add a leaf and new rear shocks...

 

In my area, shops charge 10-20% of parts cost if you bring your own parts.

So if your bringing in your own $1000 suspension, they will add on $200 so they still make money on parts you already own.