What would you charge?

[jspbtown]

Lets say someone came to you and wanted you to wire their buggy from front to back. What would you charge?

All parts would be paid by the other person....just your labor.

I have sold all my projects and have an empty shop. I have some experience in building a buggy or two and some people have expressed an interest in having me do certain things. Most of the requests I have a good idea what to charge (if anything) but I really don't know the value of a wiring job.

I don't think there are a lot of places that would take this job on. I don't want to make mega bucks on it, as I like to give forward (ask anyone who recently bought parts from me!) but my time is not valueless.

So...whats a full wiring job (labor) worth to people?

[BIGMIKEY]

I think that the parts they provide would have some bearing on installation charge too. Bag-o-wires versus, say, a Rebel Wire harness. Maybe your services could come with recommending what parts to supply for the job.

Mike T
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[vwracerdave]

Your probably looking at a full days work 8-10 hours. Good buddy price $150. Professional shop labor rates $500 or more.
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[cbeck]

by the time i rolled my own wires. solder, @ shrink wrap took me over 40 hours. I do low voltage for a living so i am kind of anal about it.

[slalombuggy]

I charge straight time at my set rate and my time spare time is worth far more than what I get paid at work. If I was asked to wire a car for $150 I'd hang up the phone. To do a neat and tidy job is at least 15-20 hours depending on gauges and accessories.

brad

[Iguana]

To wire a basic buggy takes around 30 hrs and up as a starting point. Often you can save in time by using a pre fab loom but that creates it own issues with fit and finish.

If the customer supplies the parts then again it creates more issues as what they buy is often what is cheap and yet you will be expected to warrant the work.

Buggy Pricing

I charge $950 for a base wire job with TXL wire, Bussman Fuse Box, wrapped loom and then it goes up from there

Tefzel, deutsch, Dual wall heat shrink, Raychem etc starts are around $2k and goes up from there.

The guide going price seems to be $800 labour plus parts.

To do a buggy in less than 30hrs would take a lot of experience and some pre fab wiring loom.

Also keep in mind that you will be expected to fix issues after the fact which often do not have to do with your wiring and you are working with a collection of switch types, ignition types, light types and layouts which means every job will vary.

lastly and most importantly as soon as you take money from someone to do a job they expect it to be done at a level they themselves could not do and as such what could take them 5 minutes on their own project with twisted wires and electrical tape will take you hours with termination, sealing and routes.

I hope that helps, don't sell the job short as it will come back to bit you on the butt

[73SpeedBuggy]

[jspbtown]

Thanks guys.

I have wired a few buggies but I don't have a "shop rate" since I am just a desk jockey novice. I certainly understand that some jobs are more complicated than others. I have wired a 21 circuit Avenger that had power windows, actuators and electric bear claw latches all the way down to simple 8 circuit buggies.

Its nice to see what the ranges are though. For a friend I would do it for free so the $150 charge is out. Its looking like $500 plus all parts would not be unreasonable.

[Dale M.]

I would estimate $150-200 for materials and $400-500 labor (minimum).... And I would log every minute and every dime in materials so next job you have this sort of thing, you have yardstick to give customer estimate...

A lot will depend on your source for wire and connectors.... And what quality wire you use, and if wire is printed with "function" or you are going to just use a color code....

Good place to look or wire and connectors might be "DEL CITY" or "WAYTEK" or maybe get REBEL or AMERICANAUTOWIRE kit and pass material cost on to customer and you just charge labor (per hour) to install....

Dale
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[EVfun]

I think this depends greatly on what kind wiring they are looking for. At the simplest it takes 2 fuses (1 to the ignition switch, one to the headlight switch), and there is no radio or wipers or electonics that require a low current constant hot. At the other extreme there are 12 fuse systems with more bells and whistles than any any Bug.
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[Lo Cash John]

Insist on a pre-made harness such as Rebel. It's well worth it in the end. Then figure 10-12hrs install time if you work it like a job and have the proper tools on hand. I figure work like this at $50/hr (even that's starting to seem low). If they don't look that price they can beat feet.
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[joescoolcustoms]

I timed myself on my Manx I finished in June and I have between 18 and 19 total hours in it.

I used a Rebel harness, had the tubes already run under the body sides to hold the harness which was spiral sheath wound, used stock VW light switch and wiper switch, 3 wire turn signal, floor dimmer, generic ignition switch, all soldered ends shrink wrapped and terminated with GM style weather tight connectors on items like head lamps, rear bumper license plate light, third brake light, steering column wiring. Two dead man master cut off switches. Winch wiring with remote plug in. Electrical fuel pump with oil pressure/ground interrupter switch. CB radio, twin power ports, head temp, oil temp and electrical oil pressure. Fog lights

In 9800 miles, only problem has been crappy rear tail light bulb holders.

I would charge $ 200.00 plus materials.

The Sears Rascal I just completed, (except for the dash), was much simpler. I have about 12 hours in just the dash cluster, (custom with sunken gauges), but only 11 hours in the rest of the wiring.

Now, if you have to mount the gauges, that is all additional as with any special customization.
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Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

[clonebug]

I have wired and rewired my buggy multiple times due to upgrades and thinking of better ways to do the same job.

I am sure I would have at least 30 hrs into just the basic wiring.
That would not include the FI and turbo related stuff.

A simple wiring layout like the 1967 12 volt system I used for the main harness would probably work for most buggies and that would be a 20-30 hour job.

If you add a stereo, speakers and maybe an amp you could get another 5 hrs. into it.
I wouldn't work for less than $30.00 an hour doing that tedious kind of stuff.
That would include crimp, solder and heat shrinking every connection though.
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[Iguana]

[Roys_Big_Toys]

There is quite a difference when someone is doing it for a living and supporting a shop with a lot of overhead, insurance, etc. compared to someone doing it as a side line, retired, no employees, etc. There is a huge difference with the overhead in California and West Virginia. I would send all of my work to Joe to have done but why not? (He is only 4 hours from me) He is booked up with projects. Go Figure. There is always a large difference in work, depending on the circumstances. I used Rebel wiring, took about 20 hours and plan to go that route again, unless I can get Joe's "Buddy" price. LOL
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[joescoolcustoms]

As Roy stated, I am not a business, I am retired and enjoying working on buggy's. And, the Original Poster was asking the question in a similar manner as myself, not as a business.

If I were to be doing this as a business, for my personal income, my labor rates would most likely closely reflect those that are in business.

I am booked with buggy work into summer 2015, but it is self chosen projects, not other people's projects. The only person or business I am in competition with is myself.

And, since I am retired, $ 10.00 per hour cash is not a bad wage in West Virginia.
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Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

[SiggyManx#33]

[joescoolcustoms]

[SiggyManx#33]

[MURZI]

You know when I read this and saw the 10-15 hour estimates, I thought to myself, "crap...I must be an idiot". It takes me at least 40 hours minimum.

Glad to see others in the same light of thinking....

I usually charge 20 bucks an hour for engine builds, but it is a labor of love.

I just cant imagine someone paying 1000 bucks for a wiring job, but I have seen some of the 500 dollar jobs and thought WOW.... ran over that telephone junction box huh?

400 plus materials sounds reasonable...........
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