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arctic

Member - Posts: 30

Joined: October 05, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: November 29, 2004 at 10:35 PM / IP Logged

if a basic start is taking more than an hour, there is something wrong. you need to prep, tag, and button up. this isn't rocket science. and yes, we pull off alot of 10 start days between us. we dont even pull the cars in and out. finish one car, the next is pulled in, waiting while i'm prepping.

Velocity Motors

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Joined: March 08, 2002

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Posted: November 29, 2004 at 11:27 PM / IP Logged

I agree with you that it's not rocket science and I have a friend of mine that does alot of vehicles in a day as well with 4 guys installing for NEW vehicles all day long. I don't agree with you that ALL car can be done in an hour for a remote start. There are too many variables to a used vehicle that you can not account for that will add hours to an installation. Unforseen road blocks like these take time to trouble shoot unless you just tell the customer that it's not possible and get the next car in the bay ?

Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

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Ravendarat

Platinum - Posts: 2,806

Joined: February 23, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: November 29, 2004 at 11:37 PM / IP Logged

Dont worry Shaun, I didnt forget you worked at FS. But to be realistic for all the times you need to use two relays for doorlocks, we have more remote starts where we dont need any materials except for some tape and solder and zip ties. So Most months it balances out but you are right when you say it doesnt always. I gotta agree with Velocity too, to say a basic starter should never take more than an hour is a little out there. There are some cars that you can consider basic but stil take longer than an hour. I know that for example I wont get a 96 intrepid out of my doors in a hour, esspecially if I am doing locks, cause I cant reach the damn wire without a lot of work. But back to the original post I wish I could talk to one of the installers at that store and find out why they cant at least kick some basics out the door in under 3 hours.

double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

NowYaKnow

Gold - Posts: 1,217

Joined: December 18, 2002

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 6:07 AM / IP Logged

<<Every car we do has its own issues and the average car leaves the shop after 4 - 7 hours>>

For the original poster, 4 - 7 hours is quite a long time for an install. I would put install times at the following for MOST vehicles, with no major issues:

Keyless Entry: 45 min - 1.5 hours

Basic Remote Start: 1.5 - 2 hours

Remote Start w/ keyless: 1.5 - 2.5 hours

Remote Start/Alarm/Keyless: 2 - 3 hours

Add 45 minutes to an hour more for difficult cars.

Those would be for MOST cars with ideal conditions, and no major troubleshooting needed. This is also start to finish, from the time you first touch to the car to the time you last touch the car. I think a lot of people say they can do this or that in an hour, but really never actually time themselves to the second, just a loose clock check. Sure there are certain cars that can be done in an hour, but definately not the majority.

Also remember the more you rush, the more chance for errors (ie: DAMAGES) so fast isn't necessary always the best way. I have some more input for this discussion, but I have to go to work. Maybe I will time some installs today for kicks..

Mike

jaurora

Silver - Posts: 429

Joined: January 16, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 8:03 AM / IP Logged

All the points made above are both positive and negitive, though I dont own a shop or work at one (which would be nice) I do the alarms/starters on the side. I like to stick with one brand (presitge), beside never having an issue with them, I also came to memorize the wires and colors that attach to the brain itself which helps me speed up the process. Already knowing what wire does what is half the battle. By no means am I putting down anbody or trying to make myself look like a hero in any way but if I do 3 units a month I am lucky. To do a keyless/start on an average car it take me ~1.15 -1.30 hours, An alarm/keyless/start is about 3.45 - 4.15. Of course there are your snags. I just did a 02 impala alarm/trunk/keyless/start for my best friend and it took me ~5 hours due to quite a few snags, but it happens. Price wise I made a couple dollars on him but very little. I charged him $200 for everything. And I still made profit. For me $22/hour is pretty good. So we both made out.

MECP certified (If it really means anything)

Jeremy

kgerry

Platinum - Posts: 3,455

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: February 07, 2004

Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 10:32 AM / IP Logged

i think NowYaKnow pretty much nailed it with his posted install times.....

Keyless Entry: 45 min - 1.5 hours

Basic Remote Start: 1.5 - 2 hours

Remote Start w/ keyless: 1.5 - 2.5 hours

Remote Start/Alarm/Keyless: 2 - 3 hours

Add 45 minutes to an hour more for difficult cars.

for you Canadian guys like myself, in the winter, add 30 minutes for the inside to warm up before you start pulling plastic panels off..... we usually have car 2 warming up while we work on car 1, etc......

i think the bottom line here is that they are certainly doable at a relative profit if you dont try to compete with the shops who sell product at 5% over cost or who only bill their installers out at 10 bucks an hour......

Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

csorb

Copper - Posts: 317

Joined: December 28, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 11:00 AM / IP Logged

I am the proud original poster of this thread. Allow me to mention that we do many NEW cars. A lot of 04 and 05.

I would say that a standard "older car" with transponder bypass, takes my guys closer to 3 hours.While I know that this is not fast,whoever said that they can do a remote-starter with door locks in an hour? I would like a break down of the labour in time please.

Prepping (with relays for trunk possible 3rd ignition)

Taking apart the dash, Running wires through firewall

Running antenna

Ignition and starter connections - soldered

Other connections,(pklights,brake,trunk,ground,locks)

Wrapping around ignition for transponder

Possibly running wires into drivers door, for many of the cars that we do

Running program and shut-down switches

and putting everything back together.

csorb

Copper - Posts: 317

Joined: December 28, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 11:10 AM / IP Logged

Forgot to mention actually finding proper wire locations on a car that you've never done. Especially finding tach and factory disarm on some cars, which can sometimes be elusive.

ilvwhtgrls

Member - Posts: 35

Joined: August 06, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 11:25 AM / IP Logged

On average a remote start/security will take be anywhere from 2-4 hours. On easy cars like Tacomas, I can knock out in less then an hour. To help speed up your installs only carry one or two securtity companies, we carry Audiovox and DEI alarms. The best way to speed up your installs is a good prewire and some more experience.

Eye am so re todd did.

jeremyjerm

Member - Posts: 46

Joined: December 13, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: November 30, 2004 at 12:39 PM / IP Logged

im gonna add my 10 cents

remote starts are almost never just remote starts i would have to say that i do more rs alarms than anything.

2 hours is a good time to offer as a quote. and all you dudes doin them in an hour, do u solder, do you tach or voltage sense, do you do a hoodpin and a neutral safety

i doubt it

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