Leather interior install

Hello All,

I bought Katzkins plus seat heaters for my 2019 CrewMax. I've watched several videos about installing these and have the necessary tools. The only thing I'm tight on is time.

I contacted the only authorized installer in my town and got a quote for $750 to do the work. I've seen other say they paid $1000-$1200 for leather interior from the dealer, so I was expecting install to be in the neighborhood of $300-$500, since I am providing the install kit.

Does this number sound about right? Or is it too high?

 

I was quoted 400 and 500 for install. I also would've been providing the install kit.

 

That seems more reasonable. I may end up tackling this myself.

 

A local shop in OKC did mine for $250. I didn’t have seat heaters but that’s a much easier install than doing the leather so I would have done that myself had it opted for heaters. $750 is ridiculous....even at $100/hr thats charging you for 8 hours labor and for an experienced shop it’s probably a 3 hour job.

 

That's what I was thinking. You're pretty much spot on. The quote stated 2 installers x 5 hours @ $75

I could probably get it done in 10 hours.

 

Sometimes those weekend projects reground you...worth it every once in awhile...it's an easy job if you have a day...

 

with talks of staying at home/quarantine this seems to be a good project to tackle

 

If you come down to Dallas I’ll refer you to the guy who did mine. It came out to like 300 bucks

 

I did my Tacoma double cab in Katzkins a couple years back. Took about 8-10 hours, never did it before, turned out great. Just watched videos, bought hog ring pliers and hog rings, tie wraps are your friend. I also did seat heaters. Seriously, if you are mechanically inclined at all, it's not hard to do. Anything over $400 sounds too much, but I would give it a try.

 

It is not as scary as is seems. I did it over two weekends. Backseats were harder than front.

 

Hmm... I thought about starting with the back seats. What makes them harder?

 

I appreciate the offer, but I'm in KC. 16 hours round trip plus $300 plus gas makes the $750 not look too bad at all.

 

Got another quote for $650-$850, asking if my vehicle was already wired for the seat heaters (obviously they are not). I'm guessing they would be on the north end of that quote.

I have hog rings pliers and plenty of hog rings.

This is what the original quote was offering for $750: Installation labor for crew cab truck to remove seats and cloth seating materials, disassemble all seats (with airbags), install and wire heated customer supplied seating components, install customer supplied leather seating and reassemble seats, reinstall seats in vehicle, steam fit and final fitment of leather.

 

I did mine over a weekend. Backseat on one day fronts the next. I did a write up here if it helps and still have lots of pictures I didn’t add if you need some more.
Here is the link. Hope it’s helps.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-katzkins-with-seat-warmers.31828/

 

I believe I did mine over most of a Sunday and then 2 evenings after work. I installed heaters front and back, but I didn’t wire them and install the switches until weather got cold.

I’d never installed leather on a modern seat. I’d done vinyl in an old car, so I knew how to install hog rings and know basically how to get nice edges and avoid wrinkles. Figuring out how to carefully disconnect the wires and deal with the air bags slowed me down. I also managed to split a zipper trying to force things. Luckily the kits are well made and I was able to fix my screw up and get the zipper to retrack itself.

I enjoy doing it, but if someone would offer to do it for $250 I’d now be tempted.

it’s not terribly difficult, but it is work that can require patience. But MAN what a difference.

 

oh ok yeah that’s far! Best of luck! Ask in your local tundra forum if anyone knows someone who can install it. That’s how I found the person who did mine

 

That's a great write up. Certainly gets me motivated and gives confidence.

 

I am on my third Tundra and have done Katzkins myself on my last two tundras. I would never do that kind of job for anything less than 500. Its pretty labor intensive. And honestly knowing how the process works I wouldnt trust someone that says they would do it for 250.

Here is a thread I started on my first install: https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/katzkin-install-with-pics.79334/

 

local shop did mine for $250 and turned out great....shop had great reviews as well. Well worth the work it saved me.

 

Who did yours?
I'm very close to Dallas.
I'm thinking about getting Katskins for my 2014 SR5.
The factory leather, I had it added point of sale (probably equivalent to Limited) is failing on the driver's seat.

I know I could do it myself, probably take me an entire weekend or 2.
I installed my own front seat heaters and it took me a full day.

But if the price was right, I'd pay someone to do it if they did it tight and right.

 

not sure how near OKC you are but this is the place that did mine for $250....no seat heaters though.

 

That looks nice, but you really need a TRD shift knob....
It feels so comfortable in the hand...

 

Wish I had a shop around me that would do it for $250, everyone around here is 850-1000. Yours looks great.

 

There are actually 2 Katzkins dealers in my area....the other one wanted $850 to install.

 

I know! Just have a hard time paying $100 for a shift knob but that’s on the list if I can find a good deal for sure.

 

If the job is an honest 10 hours to do right then I'm not against paying a skilled competent person/shop $750.

 

Noice...Looks killer...Congrats

 

Just noticing in the original quote offer it says "remove seats and cloth seating materials"...The leather should be wrapped over the cloth, it shouldn't have to be removed I don't think, maybe I am wrong but that is how my Tacoma was, they just covered the existing cloth. I was quoted $350 without heated seats and me supplying the covers.

 

it’s probably a 10 hour or more job for someone that’s only done it a couple times in their life, probably a 3 hour or so job for a professional shop. There was a $600 difference between the 2 shops in my area so not sure where the value would have been if I had paid the $850 price....the difference basically was that one shop that charged $250 does about 100 of these per month since they are contracted with some dealerships that send cars to them for leather installs compared to the other that may only do 10 per month so not sure why anyone would pay that much more given the choice and as long as the quality is the same. Dropped mine off around 9am and they called me about 1pm letting me know it was done.

 

I called the dealership I go through, and they recommended this shop as they do all of their non-factory leather installs. I'm guessing they have done plenty and have the experience. So far I've gotten 3 quotes in the $750 range.