How to estimate pricing for mods?

[Nev62]

Just wondering how people estimate costs/pricing for planed mods to their 4bies? I know the "guess and then double it" is a standard approch but is there a way to get closer? ie for a SAS one place will quote $3500 and someone else $7000. Someone may quote $2500 for an engine swap kit and else where it would be $3500.

How do you guy sort out the crap ($2500 may not include everything or $3500 maybe way over priced. Is it all just "suck lemons and good on ya if it all works" or can you really sort through it all before taking the plunge?

[guzzla]

It pays to ring as many people as possible to get prices. ask each 1 what that price includes (and also what may be extra) for that price and compare it with the next. at the end of the day its worth what your prepared to spend and if your just getting into 4wding welcome to the world of spending big bucks.

[Busiboy]

I got stung by this one once, found a guy that said he could do it really cheap for me, a bit of this and a bit of that and it ended up costing me a lot more than I had been quoted and I still had to get it sorted by someone else.

I would go for reputable.

If you have a group of prices that aren't too far apart then they are the honest ones, too low they will sting you with unforeseen problems and waste your time and $$$ too high and they are just taking it upfront.

[Tiny]

often the real cheap guys will find extras that will need replacing, and they will say something like, well you can choose not to do it, but I wont warrant the work as it will most likley cause a failure.

the expensive guys dont hide the fact the gear needs replacing or upgrading etc and hence the cost. find out what all the little thing that are in each quote and make sure you go to the place with all the stuff at a reasonable price

[dumbdunce]

also a lot of places will quote low to get the job, then they know once you're in the door they've got you by the balls. make the shop understand you are serious about getting the work done, and get detailed written quotes.

[HSV Rangie]

Have quote documented.

List exact scope of works and cost.

Michael.