Installation Costs... what should I expect?

[TallestTSX 10+ year member]

I'm looking to get my front factory speakers replaced (components, tweets in the dash, woofers in the front doors), get a subwoofer added in a fiberglass enclosure in the trunk, and get an amp added in a place that's out of sight (they're not doing anything special for it, just putting it out of the way). They're also putting just a little sound deadening stuff in... namely in the two doors and the trunk, but not covering everything.

If I have all the speakers and the amp, isn't $800 a bit steep for the Dynamat and installation of all?

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[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

the labor itself should cost you $0 because you should DIY //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif.

No seriously, its not that hard at all to install everything yourself. Just read lots and you'll learn more and have fun installing your own system.

 

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

kenny is right. it's really fun installing ur own system. After installing your own system, u will be proud of what ur outcome is.

-dante

 

[mikeyboc 10+ year member]

You can expect to be *****. I would suggest taking a look around this and other forums, and you might be able to do it yourself and save the cash . . . and the raping.

 

[TallestTSX 10+ year member]

kenny is right. it's really fun installing ur own system. After installing your own system, u will be proud of what ur outcome is.
-dante

I've installed my own system before. Years ago, I had a simple system in an old LeBaron (Oz Audio 6.5 components up front with two Fosgate Punch 12" DVC subs in back with two amps to power them). However, there are a few reasons why I don't want to do this myself.

1) Fit of the sub box. The installer I'm talking to owns a TSX, and he's done this particular install before. That means that he knows the right fit for the box (including size of the box) and has access to carpet that perfectly matches the trunk. I don't know where to find those things.

2) Working with fiberglass. I've never done this before as my last box was MDF (I'm not doing that again). And with a brand new car, I fear messing something up.

3) Fear of hurting my new car. This is my first new car, and it's in perfect condition. At least if I bring it to a reputable shop and something goes wrong, I can blame them.

4) Possibility of rattling/not putting everything perfectly back in place. Big fear. Don't want to suddenly have a problem with door rattling.

5) Working with sound deadening. That would require me taking the carpeting off my trunk, etc., and I don't even know where the best place is to install that stuff. I don't just want to stick it everywhere.

 

[TallestTSX 10+ year member]

You can expect to be *****. I would suggest taking a look around this and other forums, and you might be able to do it yourself and save the cash . . . and the raping.

So, my question is, is $800 a raping, or is that reasonable? I DEFINITELY trust the installer, so that's not an issue at all. The reason I ask is that I want to know if I should start looking for other installers, or if this is reasonable, and I won't bother looking around.

 

[mikeyboc 10+ year member]

I've installed my own system before. Years ago, I had a simple system in an old LeBaron (Oz Audio 6.5 components up front with two Fosgate Punch 12" DVC subs in back with two amps to power them). However, there are a few reasons why I don't want to do this myself.
1) Fit of the sub box. The installer I'm talking to owns a TSX, and he's done this particular install before. That means that he knows the right fit for the box (including size of the box) and has access to carpet that perfectly matches the trunk. I don't know where to find those things.

2) Working with fiberglass. I've never done this before as my last box was MDF (I'm not doing that again). And with a brand new car, I fear messing something up.

3) Fear of hurting my new car. This is my first new car, and it's in perfect condition. At least if I bring it to a reputable shop and something goes wrong, I can blame them.

4) Possibility of rattling/not putting everything perfectly back in place. Big fear. Don't want to suddenly have a problem with door rattling.

5) Working with sound deadening. That would require me taking the carpeting off my trunk, etc., and I don't even know where the best place is to install that stuff. I don't just want to stick it everywhere.

Blame doesn't mean it will fix the shit. Most of the time, if the fvck something up they will cover it up and you won't know about it untill later.

BTW, stick it wherever you can while you can.

 

[mikeyboc 10+ year member]

So, my question is, is $800 a raping, or is that reasonable? I DEFINITELY trust the installer, so that's not an issue at all. The reason I ask is that I want to know if I should start looking for other installers, or if this is reasonable, and I won't bother looking around.

It couldn't hurt to get other quotes and compare.

 

[TallestTSX 10+ year member]

It couldn't hurt to get other quotes and compare.

True enough. So do my other concerns sound reasonable, or am I just lazy?

One thing I also forgot to mention is that I no longer have a garage or driveway to work in like I used to. That hurts.

 

[superdooperman 10+ year member]

It doesnt matter where you go, a shop is gonna **** on in regards to installation of dampening materials.

When an average shop charges 50 or so an hour for their time, and dampening can easily take into the 6 hour range depending on the car and what needs to be done, you can expect a big labour bill.

Inform yourself, do some research, to go a few shops and see what you can do yourself, then leave the rest for the pros.

 

[mach999 10+ year member]

My 2 cents...

1) Get another quote and maybe your guy will lower the price a little.

2) Let your guy do everything except the sound deadening. It's easy but time consuming and this is going to take up the bulk of the install time.

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

Don't be afraid, bust that car open! Doors come off easy, and trunk trim comes off even easier.

Fiberglass resin, however, doesn't come off easily. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif So maybe you should evaluate the pros and cons there.

Thing about install shop jobs is that it can look really nice and be absolutely horrid mechanically.

They're selling the appearance, the bling, the rap videos.

Your quote is "reasonable," - Reasonable being defined as

"Not overpriced compared to another shop.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

What is a TSX??

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

What is a TSX??

A 4-door Acura

 

[turn it up 10+ year member]

I think all of the stuff in the front you should do it yourself. Its really easy and probably cut half of your bills. Now for the rear if you dont want to spend time working with custom fiberglass then letting the shop do that would be alright. Personally I dont trust shop installation anyway but if its something time consuming then paying them to do it would be my option.