Time estimates?

Hey all.

We should get together and put together a list of estimates on the amount of time it takes to install alarms / remote starter and whatnot on vehicles.  If I need to replace a starter I can go to my trusty book and see it typically takes X hours.  This makes quoting a lot easier.

On the other hand, to install an aftermarket alarm or remote starter is not all that easy to quote.  I put one in my Jeep in a few hours.. The same unit with the same options took 2 days in a Camry, and it took a solid 12 hours to install JUST a remote starter in an old 90 Olds Ciera.   Some vehicles (like the 02 Honda Accord EX) are a royal pain because you have to tear the door apart and route a new wire, and are an even bigger pain because they require a new hole be drilled through the firewall. 

People don't like hearing really big spreads on a quote, and I don't particularly like spending 3 hours researching every vehicle to give a better one... and I like even less ending up making about $5/hr because I missed something.

While I know experience plays a huge part in cutting down the time, is anyone aware of a quote book/software when it comes to this stuff?

Joseph

True...

But that's the same with the mechanic estimates.   But I see your point... It is really open ended in a lot of ways... A negative pulse alarm on a + based auto itself could add a lot of time just in rigging and wiring the relays.  Ugh. 

A baseline would definitely need to be established... and finding that may make it worthless itself :(

Joseph

create your own database.... thats what i have here... i call it my "Book of Wisdom" and refer to it when i run across a wierd problem... i created it so my guys could go to it if i'm not around and they are stuck on a problem....

it's only feasible if you are doing it for your own purposes.....

Hahaha

I just offered my accountant an install of a Alert 750R with all the bells and whistles in his wife's 02 Accord EX for $150-200 plus parts.  He scoffed.  From what I read, it was probably going to take *me* 20+ hours.  A lot of unknowns and warnings out there.  I usually charge $20/hr.

He seemed upset more over me charging him for the tape ($5) and wire ($5) than anything else.  The tape and wire charges are usually less than actual.  I use the best heat resistant tape, and I don't use cheap wire.  Maybe it's overkill, but I insist on it for safety.   I don't like cutting corners especially on the car of someone I know personally.  The last thing I need is someone's car to burn up because of a cheap wire or the tape melting and shorting the starter wire or something.   Maybe I'm just an overcautious newb... Dunno.

20 hours for *me*. 

He wanted a lot of extras like memory seats, auto on headlights, integrated garage door opener, etc.   But the main time sucker would be the door locks and factory alarm.  As I understand it, I'll need to wire up to the switch in the door.  If my time estimate ended up way over, then cool.. I get to be a good guy. 

To save face a bit, my first alarm/starter took less than 10, and I've only had 1 take longer.. and that was my rig... It took longer because I'm a tweaker.

I wouldn't charge for 20 hours by any means.   I was just estimating how long in total it take including research and whatnot.