Head Unit Install

We provide a head unit install facility, fitting a stereo supplied by the customer into most makes of car.

There are three main reasons why this service would be required, with the most common one being a new head unit needs to be installed into your car. However this service may be required to put back the original car stereo e.g. the car is due to be sold. With the last reason being that you need an aftermarket car stereo taken out of one car and installed into a second.

Generally our prices start from £25 +VAT for working on one car and £45 +VAT for working on two cars, assuming both cars are present at the same time. However these prices also assume there are no extra parts or labour required, and that you live close to Portsmouth.

Installation of new Head Unit is £25 +VAT (assuming no extra parts, labour or travelling are required),
Installation of standard Head Unit back into car £25 +VAT i.e. selling the car (assuming no extra parts, labour or travelling are required),
Removal of Head Unit from one car and reinstall into second £45 +VAT (assuming no extra parts, labour or travelling are required).
Installation of head units with rear iPod connections which require the docking cable to be installed in either the glove compartment or centre console, will cost from £50 +VAT depending on the amount of fitting required.

What Extra Parts & Labour may be Required?

Firstly you may need a facia to make the stereo fit your car. This is because most after-market head units are standard sizes but unfortunately your car may not have a standard size hole (manufacturers assume that you will not change the original stereo and don’t make it easy!). This means that there are hundreds of different types of facia for different makes and models, and the correct one needs to be determined and ordered before installation. Prices start from £15 +VAT.

Similarly you may need a car connection loom, as more and more manufacturers are deviating from the standard ISO connection plug and an adapter may be required. Again these are car specific and need to be ordered before installation. Generally in most cars the cost will be £20 +VAT.

Thirdly our installation costs assume that the head unit can be removed and installed easily without taking off extra dash panels. This typically may be the case with Japanese or American cars for which an extra £20 +VAT labour charge will be made.

Lastly some cars have dedicated amplifiers located in the boot. This means that additional wiring must be run from the back to the front of the car greatly increasing labour and parts. For these cars we charge £50 plus the cost of the car connection loom, if required. Please note most cars don’t have this type of system and it is easy to check by looking in you car boot first.

Head Unit Installation Restrictions

We would like to make our customers aware that for most head units, especially original manufacturer stereos, a 4-digit pin code may be needed to make them work and this would have been provided with the original documentation. If this code is required then this must be provided by the customer, as we don’t have facilities for decoding stereos.

We also have a limited service area for this service, covering Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham, Waterlooville, Chichester & Bognor Regis (Southampton, Petersfield & Littlehampton customers will be charged an extra £10 +VAT for all prices quoted on this page). Realistically we cannot be expected to travel far distances for a small £25 job, and in some cases would expect customers to work round our other commitments.

Payment can be made at the time of installation, via our mobile credit card machine a handheld version of devices in shops allowing you to insert your card and input your pin code.

Contact Dragon Car Audio & Security.

Dragon Car Audio are MESF & Thatcham Accredited and we provide a head unit install service for cars and vans covering Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

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