I found a independent mechanic who quoted me 4-5 hours to install side steps. Is that right? Please chime in and let me know.

 

That is about right depending on the shop, 1 or 2 on the job, the brand of side steps, etc.

 

I had the tub flaps installed first and then had the side steps installed - it would have been cheaper to have them both installed at the same time. It was $400 to install the flaps and $600 to install the side steps.

 

After hearing the quotes from dealer where i bought the car I lol and did it myself. It took me a while since was my first time but did it over xmas holidays on my lift and took my time. The dealer quoted me >$1000 just for steps.and like 1/2 that for flaps. I did them at same time since was already in the air.

Make sure your shop orders a bunch of the replacement clips for the body side cladding as most will break and are designed to do so when removing to install the steps.

 

I'm not usually the big fan of knockoffs but I bought a set from eBay. Quality was great as its exact OEM replica minus Defender logos on the steps.
It took me 2-3 hours on the first one and the other side took me 1-1.5 hours doing proper install (removing side trims to secure step hardwares) on my D90.
But if I do it again, I will prob. skip installing the bolts securing from the side so I do not need to remove all the side panel trims.

So I recommend buying one off eBay and installing it yourself without removing the side panel trims. I believe it's pretty secure without it but in any chance, you feel you need to install side bolts, you can take it to the shop but you already did most of work so your estimate should be much less (locating the mounting holes, cutting lower covers, etc.)

Im not super handy guy but it was def. manageable.

 

I ordered the gloss chequerplate side steps from Hunters Prestige for just over $400 total, and did the job myself. There is a very detailed installation video on their website, which was easy to follow. I used a dremel tool, but should have just bought a Milwaukee Multi-tool to make the cuts.

They include lots of spare clips to replace the ones you break when removing the sill. I have about 10 leftover clips.

Probably could have done it without the jack stands, but a lift would have made it super easy. With a lift, I could have done both sides in a couple of hours, tops. As it was, it took me less than 4 hours total.

 

I got those same steps and did it myself too, only thing I'll say is the steps are trash. Paint started chipping off after less than a year.

 

I just finished adding the side steps to my wife's 110. I thought the installation went very well and took ~2.5 hours (doing everything by myself). I'd bet I could easily shave 45 minutes off of my next installation...if the need arises. I used the video instructions from Hunters Prestige and that was a big win. The other videos instructed me to remove the entire pan, etc.

Here are the results:

 

As long as you have appropriate tools at hand, including cordless ratchet spanner and a cutting tool for the amazingly tough plastic under tray and you don’t bother with the side bolts which requite the bottom side plastic cladding to be removed, it’s plain sailing and they took me 1.5 hours to do both sides on a 90. The side steps, which are top quality Chinese products, cost me £200 including 20% VAT and delivery. The tread plates are all plastic bolted to the black painted oval alloy tubes. I sprayed rust preventative wax over the complete tube and underside of the tread plates before installation. They work great. Here is a video of the installation process but I found a knife to be inadequate to cut the plastic, so used a Milwaukee ‘Dremel type] drill with cutting disc which made short work of the plastic cutting.

 

Here is mine being installed. Defender up on ramps with the suspension raised to offroad height for maximum convenience.