Vintage Air system install cost estimate?

Last, but soon on my to-do list is installing a Vintage Auto Air system. I've got 2 quotes that are very far apart. One is from a certified installer of Vintage Auto Air and the other is my interior shop who says they have installed many of these. I trust my interior shop guys more than any other shop I've worked with. They are awesome! The interior shop has quoted me an all-in price of a surefit system install at $6500. The Certified Installer shop is quoting me $1495 for the system and an install starting price of $900, with a not to exceed of $3000. That's only half the price of the first shop! I'm skeptical of both quotes to be honest.

What total cost have you paid to have Vintage Auto Air installed? (Not interested in Classic Auto Air experiences as I've heard that those are more difficult. I've already decided on Vintage Auto Air).

Thanks!

$6500?, that seems a bit excessive to me. if the system costs $1500, then they are charging $5000 to install it. Even if it took 3 days that would be $200/hour.

I'm surprised you heard CA is a more difficult install - I did mine myself and it was very straightforward. Of course the dash was out so that helped tremendously. I was reading the VA install instructions and they seemed more complicated, but could be because I'm used to the CA instructions. Not trying to change your mind, just saying...

That being said, I agree $6,500 is way outside the chalk lines. Granted my car was apart at the time so it made things easier, but it was also my first install. I have about 20 hours invested so far. The wiring is taking me the longest time because I'm adding a Painless fuse block.
At $100/hr. rate, 20 hours would be $2,000 and I have to believe a Cert Installer could do it in less than 20 hrs. The $900 +/- seems fair.

I can easily see an installation taking a full day for two people who know what they're doing to install. If a shop can commit to less than two days of labor (about the $1500 remaining from your $3k max estimate), they're probably being pretty honest. If you prefer the first shop, maybe ask them what they're basing that estimate off, since it's WAY off.

Make sure either shop is including the cost of charging the system. That could be $200-300 on its own.

took me with a helper a day and we had never done anything like this before...