Labor Price for remote start?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=81113
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM

Topic: Labor Price for remote start?

Posted By: USMC Vet
Subject: Labor Price for remote start?
Date Posted: August 02, 2006 at 4:13 PM

Thinking about installing some RSs in my spare time.What would be a reasonable amount to charge someone,just the basic RS,no passlock,VATS,transponder? Just the labor price.Anyone have any good input,it would be appreciated.Thanks! I live in central Illinois if that makes any difference.

Replies:

Posted By: supersix4
Date Posted: August 02, 2006 at 4:53 PM

Basic install is usually about $50.00/75.00 in the NY Metro Area. Another $30 or so for transponder install ... $50 for keyless w/ relays ... $20/30 for parking lights ... $20/30 for trunk pop.

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Posted By: captainzab
Date Posted: August 02, 2006 at 7:53 PM

Since you are not a store, you cannot give warranty. So i suppose $50-70 is fair if you can give them a clean install. But if its a crappy T-Tap install and nothing is taped black with wires running everywhere i say $30 is fair.

Posted By: supersix4
Date Posted: August 02, 2006 at 9:23 PM

Why would you need to totally tape a RS harness? It's not an alarm system, man, just a RS. Why waste the tape trying to make it look "factory"? Zip Ties are your friend!! I use tape to harness the thing up on the workbench ... I just don't tape the whole thing up, like a big black Spider ... eeeewwww!!!!

I also don't get this bias against T-taps. I certainly agree that solder & tape is best. Buuuuuttt - if used & installed correctly, T-taps have their place. Ya know, 3M sells Zillions of 'em, man, LOL! I've used 'em for YEARS - never have a problem with 'em. They NEVER pop off ... 'cuz I install 'em right. I NEVER use them out under the hood or anyplace they might be exposed to weather or temperature extremes - that's just clazy, mang! But inside the passenger compartment - never have a problem with 'em at all ... mebbe I'm just crazy lucky??!! HAHAHA!!!

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Posted By: dea,can
Date Posted: August 03, 2006 at 4:06 AM

basic install with unit base model 130.00.

then prices add up it depends on the customer what are they looking for range fancy keyfobs etc.

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dragon

Posted By: prdjr165
Date Posted: August 03, 2006 at 7:51 AM

I always try to make $100 for an Install-more if it is a difficult car to do,It also depends on how much the bypass module costs.I try to keep the price for my units installed for $250.00 Thats 2 remotes,keyless,trunk,remote start.I am also in Illinois,just south of Chicago.

Posted By: dea,can
Date Posted: August 03, 2006 at 1:25 PM

35 bypass units 25 to install

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dragon

Posted By: supersix4
Date Posted: August 03, 2006 at 3:08 PM

nouseforaname wrote:

first off, t-taps suck! period. if you are gonna take the time to do an install and you're not pressed for time, why cut corners and use t-craps.

No they don't, mang ... c'mon ... we all know you've used 'em ... LOL!! And who's NOT pressed for time?? If you're not ... well ...

nouseforaname wrote:

and how is there a "right way" to install them? you just crimp them down, not rocket surgery.

I've seen guys do some C-R-A-Z-Y things w/ T-taps, man! YIKES! Like ... snap 'em on SIDEWAYS!! ... and the phrase is "it's not Rocket Science ... Rocket Science ...

nouseforaname wrote:

the point of soldering a connection is to ensure a long lasting, solid install thats not gonna come loose over time.

I know, man ... and MY T-taps never come loose ... I use 'em right.

nouseforaname wrote:

as for the taping, i black tape EVERYTHING.

EEEWWWWW!!!! LOL!!

nouseforaname wrote:

theres is nothing more tacky than looking under a knee bolster and seeing a rainbow of different colored wires running everwhere. sure just zip tying them works, but its a certine level of professionalism in wrapping everything in black tape THEN zip tying everything up nice and neat.

Next RS I do, I'll take some pics to show ya how I do it, man. Super-clean & minimum tape & zip ties. No crazy "rainbow spiders" goin' outta my shop!! HAHAHA!! I hate that too, man.

nouseforaname wrote:

i can see your point though, in case for some reason a wire gets loose from the zip tie and hangs down in front of the brake pedal and someones foot hangs on it and jerks a bunch of your t-taps loose, then theres no need to unwrap the tape to fix everything.

Yikes! That's never happened to me ... SCARY! That guy outta stay away from workin' on cars!!

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Posted By: captainzab
Date Posted: August 03, 2006 at 3:53 PM

I suppose its whatever the customer wants. Since im known for a clean install without T-Tap and everything taped black, thats what the customer gets. Thats why they come to me, but if your customer doesnt care- go crazy with T tap then.
Fair right?

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 12:11 PM

no use for a name.....settle down now....he got your goat, you just have a different opinion, thats all. t-taps are good for low current only. Parking light flash (pos,or neg) simple neg trigger locks etc. If someone wants or needs to use them on a main harness for a R/S....thats not so good. (my opinion) I use them on occasion.

You got your way of doin a job, he has his.....and I have mine. If we get the job done, and it DON'T come back or burn the car to the ground, mission accomplished posted_image

Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 3:15 PM

boy did y'all veer off the topic..... wasn't he asking what a fair install price for R/S would be??

if we sell the unit we charge $100 CDN to install it..... if you bring us one you bought elsewhere we charge $150 CDN to install it....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

Posted By: supersix4
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 4:22 PM

B-BWAAAHAHAHAAA ... You're correct Kevin ... since I started it ... *hijack ... OFF *

welll ... one last thing ... nouseforaname ... :) ... jyou ok, mang! (in my best Tony Montoya - Scarface - voice!)

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Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: August 06, 2006 at 7:35 PM

I'm laughing SO HARD.....your both WRONG, it's Tony Montanya....! You youngsters.... posted_image

Posted By: josh1979
Date Posted: August 06, 2006 at 8:01 PM

nouseforaname wrote:

supersix4 wrote:

Why would you need to totally tape a RS harness? It's not an alarm system, man, just a RS. Why waste the tape trying to make it look "factory"? Zip Ties are your friend!! I use tape to harness the thing up on the workbench ... I just don't tape the whole thing up, like a big black Spider ... eeeewwww!!!!
I also don't get this bias against T-taps. I certainly agree that solder & tape is best. Buuuuuttt - if used & installed correctly, T-taps have their place. Ya know, 3M sells Zillions of 'em, man, LOL! I've used 'em for YEARS - never have a problem with 'em. They NEVER pop off ... 'cuz I install 'em right. I NEVER use them out under the hood or anyplace they might be exposed to weather or temperature extremes - that's just clazy, mang! But inside the passenger compartment - never have a problem with 'em at all ... mebbe I'm just crazy lucky??!! HAHAHA!!!

first off, t-taps suck! period. if you are gonna take the time to do an install and you're not pressed for time, why cut corners and use t-craps. and how is there a "right way" to install them? you just crimp them down, not rocket surgery. the point of soldering a connection is to ensure a long lasting, solid install thats not gonna come loose over time.
as for the taping, i black tape EVERYTHING. theres is nothing more tacky than looking under a knee bolster and seeing a rainbow of different colored wires running everwhere. sure just zip tying them works, but its a certine level of professionalism in wrapping everything in black tape THEN zip tying everything up nice and neat.
i can see your point though, in case for some reason a wire gets loose from the zip tie and hangs down in front of the brake pedal and someones foot hangs on it and jerks a bunch of your t-taps loose, then theres no need to unwrap the tape to fix everything.

]APPLAUD APPLAUD APPLAUD APPLAUD

i solder and tape all conections, tape all harness even a keyless with 5 wires looks like it came from the factory when it leaves my shop. factory knows nothing about radio speakers and lots of other things but the one thing thay know is safe wireing would you buy a brand new car if the factory used T taps and exposed wireing?

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bring back the rotary phone so i dont have to press 1 to proceed in english

Posted By: xtremej
Date Posted: August 07, 2006 at 11:06 AM

Its a minimum $100 if its a quality unit(dei,ultra,compustar etc..), no bulldogs......I wouldn't even recomend installing these as they will be nothing but a headache.

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Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: August 07, 2006 at 1:58 PM

It's will be hard for you to get a reasonable price from this forum because there are so many different installers from all over the globe here that you will just have to ask installer's from your neck of the woods to quote you on the job. Also a good thing to ask is what is all included in a " basic " installation. I stress this because I noticed one member quoting $ 35 for parking lights and this is not an option in my systems I sell and install. This is part of the charge and I only charge $ 75 Cdn to install a basic RS system.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Posted By: russ lund
Date Posted: August 07, 2006 at 2:42 PM

We charge $125.00 for the labor on the units we sell.That includes the bypass module hook up.If the vehicle has a reverse polarity door locks or some other funky system that is x-tra.

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BigDog

Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: August 08, 2006 at 8:33 PM

You are buddie...Im 43 posted_image

Posted By: dualsport
Date Posted: August 08, 2006 at 8:58 PM

Well, the name Montoya is bound to stick in your head if you watch Princess Bride over and over, as youngsters are going to do- posted_image

Posted By: xtremej
Date Posted: August 09, 2006 at 10:06 AM

Just to add to my previuos post, make sure you don't sell yourself short. Budget in that some customers need alot of servicing ie how to use the product properly, or just odd questions about the remote start. My last tip, if there is anything that goes wrong with that vehicle from a flat tire to a light bulb burning out in the dash, it is always the remote starters fault......

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Posted By: reisset
Date Posted: August 09, 2006 at 11:09 AM

You should inform you about new technology call “datalink” coomunication has not confusewith Idatalink which does not offer the same service. This new technology makes it possible to install bypass very quickly in all new vehicles without connection with the starter. All information is communicated by data. Now, installation time are reduce of half. Then you could can be aggressive in your prices.

Martin

Posted By: Evolution-UK
Date Posted: August 10, 2006 at 2:29 AM

If your going to do a job using snap connectors and are not going to use tape to loom up the wires then it's probably worth about $20. If your going to spend some time doing it properly, like the pro's, then you can charge alot more.

Cutting corners is not a good way to do a job. It always ends up with the job coming back because of problems.

Posted By: black cavy
Date Posted: August 10, 2006 at 9:47 AM

I charge $100-$130 on the simple cars like cavailers/sunfires for a combo alarm and $100 just for a RS so its better to get a Combo.cars like the Altmas,G6's, stuff like that $150

i think im really fair because BB wants $180 for a basic Combo system plus they hide fees so its about $200 plus your bypass module.