Am I getting shafted on this quote? (Flashpro+bolt ons)

[Mhrob]

See attached image. Labor costs seem like 2x as much as what they should be.

I'm figuring 3 hours for the intercooler, 1.5 for the intake, and 1.5 for the res delete. At $175/hr that’s $1050…

Sponsored

 

[ctechauto]

Is that their stated hourly rate is $175/hr? For your labor estimates thats pretty close. If it was at our shop here in DFW, intercooler is 4hr, intake 1hr, res delete 1-2hr (install, we dont do fab) which pretty much evens out to your estimates.

 

[Mhrob]

No, they didn’t list labor charges, but I think $175 is roughly around typical hourly labor costs (correct me if I’m wrong ofc..)

So just to clarify, this does seem high to you for labor charges? I’m in Michigan btw.

 

[Clark_Kent]

My initial reaction is this quote is on the higher end; however, some of these shops charge book hours and that does not always equal actual labor hours. And some charge neither and just make it up. That can go really well or really poorly for you depending on the situation. For example, I had a shop quote me $310 to install a PWR intercooler and another quoted $950. A few notes:

1. Source the parts yourself to take advantage of sales and/or discounts. I would also advise against paying tax on those parts - not necessary. Also, there's zero need to buy a Flashpro new.
2. Any quote you receive should itemize the invoice. You should know what you're paying for and which items are driving the cost. There's no transparency on the invoice you shared.
3. The dual resonator delete also seems high. They're literally removing resonators and welding a relatively short piece of 304 stainless steel to replace the resonators.
4. Always shop around and never take the first quote you get. Pricing varies widely and sometimes there's no rationale for some of these insane rates.

 

[ctechauto]

No, they didn’t list labor charges, but I think $175 is roughly around typical hourly labor costs (correct me if I’m wrong ofc..)

So just to clarify, this does seem high to you for labor charges? I’m in Michigan btw.

This is completely dependent on the shops hourly rate (varies wildly, some are $75/hr to over $250/hr) and if they use a flat (book) industry labor estimate on it or use their own (I wouldnt say make it up, but could deviate from standard book rate like "actual" hours). At my shop its a combination of both - Sometimes shops have more specializations (e.g. we charge less than book for suspension install on FK8/FL5) or stuff they want to or dont want to do which can also affect the quote; it sounds shitty but its very real and you'll know if a shop wants to do the work just by the estimate.

But to answer your question, I think it is a little high but not the aformentioned "dont feel like doing this work but I will for this price" either. Actually at that point they could make it up if they dont actually care/want to do it. Without knowing the rate and how many hours they quoted or how, its anyones guess in the end; should really be itemized, at least by each part/job.

 

[NeRO_CTR]

Deleted my original reply... Trust your gut. The FL5 tax should not be tolerated. The mere fact that you asked is an indication that one or a few things are amiss.

 

[Mhrob]

Deleted my original reply... Trust your gut. The FL5 tax should not be tolerated. The mere fact that you asked is an indication that one or a few things are amiss.

What is the problem with the taxes? I don’t think I’m following. Someone else mentioned this as well but I mean, I don’t see why this work wouldn’t be taxed; unless you’re taking about not paying taxes on the labor.

 

[Allthingsfl5]

Pure tuning? - I’ve heard they are on the pricey side, but they do good work.

Aaron is pretty knowledgeable

 

[NeRO_CTR]

What is the problem with the taxes? I don’t think I’m following. Someone else mentioned this as well but I mean, I don’t see why this work wouldn’t be taxed; unless you’re taking about not paying taxes on the labor.

Not an actual tax, it’s an inflated tax based on ideas. Ex single resonator delete cost me $75. $600 for a dual delete does not math, unless, you factor in the “fl5 tax.”

 

[Mhrob]

Not an actual tax, it’s an inflated tax based on ideas. Ex single resonator delete cost me $75. $600 for a dual delete does not math, unless, you factor in the “fl5 tax.”

Ohhh lol I get you now.

Well, apparently the labor charges were incorrect. I asked if they were charging 300+ an hr cause the quote seemed a little high and apparently he was working two quotes at once and carried over the labor charges from the other quote. Do I believe that? Maybe lol. But, this new quote is definitely something along the lines of what I was anticipating it was going to cost.

 

[Mhrob]

Pure tuning? - I’ve heard they are on the pricey side, but they do good work.

Aaron is pretty knowledgeable

Yeah Pure Tuning lol. I honestly can’t really find a reputable tuner closer to me in Michigan that will tune it lol. He does seem pretty knowledgeable with these cars though I agree. Hour and a half drive kinda sucks but I’d rather have someone who understands this platform do this work.

 

[iforgettopee]

if I haven't been to the shop and seen how they work, I personally wouldn't trust them to do a $5k project. But it all depends on your personal threshold for risk. If you're fine with getting the car back, things aren't right, and spending weeks or months trying to diagnose issues - okay you do you... but if you're not, then start with something small and low risk, like installing the intake.
If you're happy with how that goes, then have them do more. If you're not, then find another shop.
Make them earn your business. You're not saving any money by doing it all at once and you're not spending more by doing little by little. You control the level of risk you're taking and you get to know the shop over time. Being a regular customer can have perks too. Just my two cents.

 

[Chilly613]

If you can I would honestly do some of the installation yourself, like the intake and intercooler install.

I would look at an actual muffler shop to do a resonator delete, they will tend to be a lot cheaper.

I will try to do most of my part install myself, anything out of my scope or needed additional equipment, I'll have a shop do it.

 

[MooMoo]

It really depends on how they are doing the res delete. People here talking about $65 to do, yes you get what you pay for at a exhaust shop, it will be the worst welds known to men. Does it matter? That is up to you. Now, it does not mean their $600 quote will give you a better outcome but there are 2 way to do this.

Muffler shot, dude saws the shit out and welds straight pipes with everything on the car OR exhaust is taken down and someone does the same thing but with nicer welds. Obviously the labor on the last one will be more because more hours to do. Again I dunno this shop so they could just be charging a lot and taking it to the muffler shop around the corner who knows.

As mentioned here though, Id save some money by doing some of this myself, the intake is easy as shit to install, the instructions from PRL are good and there are at least 10 videos on the internet on how to do it. And why are you having them ship the ECU to hondata, do all that yourself, same some money, learn some stuff

 

[Allthingsfl5]

Pure tuning? - I’ve heard they are on the pricey side, but they do good work.

Yeah Pure Tuning lol. I honestly can’t really find a reputable tuner closer to me in Michigan that will tune it lol. He does seem pretty knowledgeable with these cars though I agree. Hour and a half drive kinda sucks but I’d rather have someone who understands this platform do this work.

you can always rent Dyno time , and have imwtuned do it, or send data logs to jester.

Sponsored