Thoughts on this quote for a lift install

I got a quote from a well respected off road shop that works exclusively on Toyota and Lexus.

there’s not many other reputable options near me, but I still wanted to get yalls thoughts on this labor quote.

Dobinsons IMS with their billet UCAs

 

That's just labor. Are you supplying the parts or are they?

It doesn't seem out of line, but I've been wrong before. Only once, but I was wrong.

 

that is just the labor, the parts section of the quote was cut out of the screenshot. I am providing wheels and tires, but I am buying the parts through the shop. I already checked prices online for all the parts and the shop prices are all right in line with online prices. So, no concerns from me on the quote I was given for parts.

 

Labor rates vary from region to region. In my area, they average $150/hour. Sure, it's high. But I get a skilled/licenses/bonded shop to install my parts for me. They have the tools and machines to do it and most will warranty their work.

If I tried to do it with a few buddies, none of that work is warrantied.

 

I think I shop that specializes in doing this kind of work could do a lift way quicker than 5 hours. I had Mike's Custom Toys in Oregon put a full lift on and as a pro that does that all day everyday it took him 90 minutes. Having said that, 5 hours is probably about on par with what it would take a non-professional working in their garage to do a lift. So I feel like that time is a little excessive. Also, the 2-hour UCA install should be a non-issue because if they're going to be doing the lift anyway the UCAs aren't going to take 2 hours - since there's duplicity of labor involved there.

 

I don't think it's out of line. I had my Stage 2 Eibach Lift, plus UCA's, plus alignment, done here in the Houston area for $1,800, labour only. This was back in 2021!

Cheers,

Sean

 

You're ultimately the one who has to feel comfortable with the labor rate. MeefZah has a good point about duplicity of labor, but as long as you're happy that's what counts. Where I live most small shops aren't that expensive.. FWIW

 

Strut and UCA assembly should be part of the 5 hours of Labor, still seems excessive.

 

Ya ive had a full lift put on both my tacoma and 4runner with uca’s for 400 and 700. 1800 seems way to damn much.

 

yeah, that’s fair. I just didnt know what the average/typical labor rate was, so I wanted to get a gut check from you guys. And heard on the duplicate labor, I assume this is just for the estimate and it maybe will end up cheaper

 

The labor rate is regional and experience levels are something the person with the credentials puts their price on. Your deal doesn't sound too bad, maybe the guy will pass the savings on to you if he can do it quicker! Good luck.

 

unless youre going over 2.5” lift tou dont need UCA

side note, i did my front lift with all hand tools and no cimpressoor on both sides in 2.5 hrs by myself

5 hrs by a professional shop with a lift and spring compressor is insane!!.

 

Except that's not how labor rates work...

A shop doesn't charge you less because a skilled technician can do it faster. They charge you based on what their database (often alldata or identifix) calls out for the job.

Where the tech can make his money is beating that time. So If a job is quoted to take 5 hours, and he gets it done in 2, he can move onto the next job while the shop still charges for that 5 hour job.

Conversely, if the shop runs into seized bolts or unforeseen issues that charge could go up; as they will start to charge you for any time that labor goes beyond the original allotment of time (which again is often provided by software)

Also, even if the shop does not use alldata, identifix, IATN, etc... They will not often quote the exact time they think their skilled tech would take. This is because if they underquote the job, customers get upset when they receive their bill with additional labor hours than the original quote.

However, you are right about the duplicity of labor. Often shops will cut that specific job's labor rate in half since the tech will "be there anyways" So to speak.



OP, I think this is a competitive quote *for my area, but I'd suggest shopping around and see if it is truly competitive. Just keep in mind that going with the cheapest quote isn't always the best answer. Often, customer service and quality of work is what I'm looking for in a shop. Not necessarily cheap labor...

 

If you trust the shop and it sounds like they're reputable and they know Toyota/Lexus, then that's what it's going to cost. Especially if you're unwilling, unskilled, or don't have the tools/space to do the job yourself. They are providing a service and can charge whatever the market dictates. All that being said, I think it's fair. There's no way I would pay it, but I've been doing my own mods and maintenance for 40+ years.

 

I always ask to pay cash in return for a discount. Always works, just got a 10% discount for paying cash on my new OEM LCAs/alignment. Saved me $180.00

 

Curious, and if you don't mind sharing, what did you pay for the LCAs parts only? Getting ready to have this done.

 

You're right. I should have said "I'm getting ready to do this." That's why I wanted to know what he paid for parts.

 

Yeah my bad. I went back to delete this right before you replied.
My reason for deletion was "not a nice thing to say" lolol

 

Alldata labor times for you:

Both upper control arms 3.6hr
Both front shocks W/KDSS 4.8hr
WithoutKDSS 3.5hr
(disassembly included with shocks times)

Both rear shocks W/KDSS 1.5hr
Without 1.4hr

 

All good.

 

I’d imagine a good tech could knock out this lift in less labor time, but from what I understand the mechanic will get paid for the stated hours, even if the job ends up requiring more due to busted fasteners, rust, etc. So these probably end up being quoted with a bit of hedging.

As for the time it takes a non-professional to do this, my lift definitely took me a whole lot longer. I’d say the majority of the weekend for me, but I wanted to do it right. I had all the tools, but it was also the first time I ever did any suspension work like this. Throw in the research time to make sure you do it right.

When I did my lift I kept the stock UCAs, and I did not touch them at all while installing the coil-overs shock assemblies. I just loosened the LCAs, unbolted the two bolts at the lower ball joint to seperate it from the spindle, and swung down the LCA. The shocks slide right out the bottom. So I can understand why those are quoted separately.

I think I got quoted about 1400 bucks a few years ago to have a specialty 4x4 shop install them.

 

A little rich for my blood, but i do my own wrenching. If you can find a trust worthy shop that does quality work... Consistently, they're worth their weight in gold these days.

 

Thank you @CygnusX-4

Comparing Alldata to the shop's quote it looks reasonable.

Just comparing the total labor time for the suspension/ UCA install for Non KDSS:
AllData = 8.5 Hrs
Quote = 8 Hrs

 

While I have the ability to do the work I contracted a very reputable 4x4 shop to do my suspension upgrade (hopefully next week!) Your price quote doesn't seem out of line compared to mine.

 

Save your money, i used this method. Its too easy not to try it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ9oW-VNWWo

 

Fuck. That.

That's one of those situations where I stick my hand in, and pull back a nub. I'm smart enough to know when I should pay someone else to do it for me.

 

nah, its easier than you think. More controlled imo.

 

I used that method to install my front Eibach shocks. To me, much safer than a spring compressor. Hands were nowhere near the decompressing/compressing spring. All done by the floor jack, with the upper shock assembly held in place by the shock tower.