I was putting together a rigger character and was checking how long it would take to install rigging equipment to a vehicle, the stuff that allows a rigger to actually use his VCR bonuses when driving, because only a couple specialty vehicles even have rigger adaptation. It requires a facility to install. A facilty for vehicle work is 200,000 nuyen, availability 14 (so not at chargen) and SI 4(!), bringing it to 800,000 nuyen during play.

Do you ignore this, or is all work done through a mechanic contact?

We ignore it at character generation, ingame you either pay a mechanic or rent access to his facility.