Average labor cost for an ECU flash

[kerfuffle]

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about getting a stage 1 ECU flash (APR/JHM) so I've been contacting shops around me to get a quote for the job. The quotes that I've gotten back were around $595 for the software, however these shops are charging $60 - $90 for labor. I can't imagine that it would take a ton of labor to get this done -- ODBII cable and a laptop to deploy the software. For those that are familiar with this process, does this sound reasonable to you?

Thanks

[Yogie]

They charge one hour of work. Be goad they are that low. The only shop in my area minimum is 102 for the install. I jusy did it myself for 150 considering i will be going stage 2 when it comes out and back to stock to claim warranty if something breaks.

[MorefortheA4]

I think it would take about 30 mins to set up and do it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think most shops charge 1 hour of labor for everything up to an hour.

[Charles.waite]

I know Achtuning charges $50 for an APR reflash, which is 1/2 hour of labor.

The reason they charge, even though its relatively easy, is that it still does take time for their flashing tech to flash it, and work (hooking up a battery tender, verifying the checksums and whatnot). I think its a totally reasonable charge. An hour is getting up there though as its really shouldn't take that long to do everything.

[B7Joe]

This varies by shop but I would expect a reasonable labor charge. I don't think $60 is unreasonable.

IIRC my shop did not charge me labor beyond the cost of the tune, but I'm sure they would if I needed a reflash.

[vce1232000]

APR dealer here does not charge labor to flash. Only cost of the tune

[drumnjuny]

should be free as fuck, these assholes just bullshit around and charge you. tell them you'll tip them $20 if they don't charge labor to hook a laptop to your OBD-II port and click a few buttons.

shops are [usually] jackasses pulling jackassery

[vce1232000]

should be free as fuck, these assholes just bullshit around and charge you. tell them you'll tip them $20 if they don't charge labor to hook a laptop to your OBD-II port and click a few buttons.

shops are [usually] jackasses pulling jackassery

Damn Dude..... Tell us how you really FEEL ...............lol

[DannyDeez]

Lol I was gonna say...shops charge you guys to flash?? Thats crazy. Where are you located?

[Rad85]

One month ago flashed my B7 in Chicago area, labor was free, paid for the tune only with no tax...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[drumnjuny]

yeah when i got my APR flash i smoked em down a bowl. that was all the labor they were getting from me, the lazy so-and-so's

[JDillon15]

I would keep calling around. Flashes and re-flashes have been free for me so far. =D

[Jake@JHM]

We tell our flashing dealers that they can charge up to an hour of labor.

[drumnjuny]

which is the industry standard...

just a poopy one.

[Jake@JHM]

which is the industry standard...

just a poopy one.

Not really, it takes a techs time when they could be wrenching, they have to monitor the process to make sure everything is going smoothly. Here at JHM we also run VCDS to make sure there are no codes before and after and take the car for a test drive after flashing to insure everything is functioning correctly.

[vce1232000]

Most software tuners around here have a non tech do the installs so that it doesn't interfere with the mechanics doing the

[A4SANDBEER]

if its not a JHM shop or whatever company your gettting your tune from, expect to pay
what, you thinks its free?

60-90$ seems fair as long as they are compitent
also, shops usually charge by the hour, not half hour or how long it actually takes