Normal Procedure for Upgrading?

[Parttime_Pilot_Blake]

I contacted a reputable avionics shop near me to put in a trio of GI-275's and a GPS got a quote I could stand. The shop asked me for 3/4's of the quote down before he'd begin. I'm more familiar with home and other upgrades when you pay 1/2 up front and 1/2 when done. Whats normal?  

[smwash02]

I think it's fair to pay the parts up front. Labor -- this is where it gets more nuanced. Up to half I'd be okay with.

Do yourself a favor and add in a completion date and penalty for missing it.

[Greg Ellis]

I have usually paid for parts up front.  I know what it is like to own a business that has overhead.  If the install is going to take a long time then I will add a payment for labor as the job gets going.  I know the avionics shop has employees to pay that are working on my airplane.  So I try to be good about it.  It has paid off.  For instance, my avionics shop finally got everything from Garmin for my GFC 500 install.  They bumped me to the head of the line because I paid them up front back in September and they know that I won't hassle them when it comes to payment.  They tell me quite the stories about how they do a ton of work and then the owner gives them nothing but grief when it comes time to pay.  I don't want to be that guy.  I don't like it when patients do it to me so I certainly won't do it to someone else.

[Marauder]

Unless I know the shop is credible, I’ll negotiate the down payment. Back in 2012, Penn Avionics (the shop did one of the AOPA giveaway planes) had their owner die. I could tell they were capable of doing good work, but the owner was the glue.

The shop could not start my install for two months. What I did was negotiate to buy the hardware upfront but letting them keep the install hardware. They were concerned that I would take their discount and have someone else do the install. And I was concerned that they would fold and I’d lose everything.

With the amount of lead time these shops are quoting, I’d be leery of handing over cash without something to insure you won’t lose everything if the shop goes belly up. Penn Avionics is no more…

And thing to watch out for is a quote versus an estimate. Some of these shops will provide an estimate. You need to understand that is a guess what it will cost. I’ve heard horror stories of owners forking over thousands more because of “unforeseen” issues uncovered during the installation. I always insist on a quote and ask that I can bring the plane over for them to inspect it before they quote me.


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[smwash02]

45 minutes ago, Marauder said:

With the amount of lead time these shops are quoting, I’d be leery of handing over cash without something to insure you won’t lose everything if the shop goes belly up. Penn Avionics is no more…

Bingo. My 3 month lead time on an at most 3 week job turned into over a year wait and now going on 4 months of downtime now.

[AH-1 Cobra Pilot]

The last major upgrade I had was installing a GNX-375 and G-5.  It took waaay longer than originally quoted, (but it was the shop's first GNX-375), or about 14 weeks.  I paid for everything after completion with a credit card.

[alextstone]

3 hours ago, smwash02 said:

I think it's fair to pay the parts up front. Labor -- this is where it gets more nuanced. Up to half I'd be okay with.

Do yourself a favor and add in a completion date and penalty for missing it.

I disagree with this... Inevitably, shops open up panels an find surprises that necessitate extra time to correct.  The last thing you want is either a quote that presupposes all extra costs or such a rigid completion date that they just ignore an opportunity to clean up issues.

[smwash02]

20 minutes ago, alextstone said:

I disagree with this... Inevitably, shops open up panels an find surprises that necessitate extra time to correct.  The last thing you want is either a quote that presupposes all extra costs or such a rigid completion date that they just ignore an opportunity to clean up issues.

It's a catch 22; however, as with anything, communication is key.

 

[Utah20Gflyer]

 When I did my last upgrade I paid for the cost of the materials when it went into the shop and the remainder upon pick up.  

[tim417]

Looking forward to the market and demand to regain some sanity. The massive demand has made shops extremely flaky with communication and customer service. When trying to get a quote for dual GI275 install, I couldnt get 3/4 of the shops I called to even return a call or get me a quote. 

 

[StevenL757]

6 hours ago, Parttime_Pilot_Blake said:

I contacted a reputable avionics shop near me to put in a trio of GI-275's and a GPS got a quote I could stand. The shop asked me for 3/4's of the quote down before he'd begin. I'm more familiar with home and other upgrades when you pay 1/2 up front and 1/2 when done. Whats normal?  

My shop works it in thirds...One-third down reserves a spot on their docket.  The second third due at the midpoint of the project, and the last third (plus any previously-discussed overages/additions) due at checkout/final acceptance.  This relationship has worked very well for us over the last 12 years.

[PT20J]

Every shop is going to have its own policy. 

My upgrade quote was $86K. Terms were $5K to secure a place on their schedule, $30K at start of project, balance upon completion. Remember that the dealer gets parts at a discount and payment terms from Garmin. 

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