Restoration Business
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Restoration Business
Pls. No one take this personally if you are in this business or are on a personal mission to get us all spending more to pull the economy out of this mess. So ...
Is this business in general going gangbusters? Much of the economy and mall business that I see stateside are cutting costs and offering discounts to survive. It seems from talking with a few friends in various areas of the US that labor rates and other controllable areas of shop costs have risen significantly over the past 3 years. Is this the case or just wrong perception. I have so many friends that are severly hurting and doing almost anything to keep food on the table for their families. Up here in Canada we have not really been hit over this same timeframe like so many other areas.
Is this business in general going gangbusters? Much of the economy and mall business that I see stateside are cutting costs and offering discounts to survive. It seems from talking with a few friends in various areas of the US that labor rates and other controllable areas of shop costs have risen significantly over the past 3 years. Is this the case or just wrong perception. I have so many friends that are severly hurting and doing almost anything to keep food on the table for their families. Up here in Canada we have not really been hit over this same timeframe like so many other areas.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
I’m not too surprised, as it seems restoration shops cater to folks who have more disposable income or funds than a lot of us do, or to those who simply can’t do it themselves for one reason or another. The other side is that I know some guys save for a long time to have a car done, so the funds are there, they don’t come out of the monthly household budget. It seems this may put these services in more of a luxury item category than a shop who fixes daily drivers and maybe that’s why you don’t see the reductions in price or volume in this specialty area.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Shops that are always fully 'booked' are justified to raise their rates. Shops that are not that busy and decide to raise their rates to make up for low volume....will be out of business very soon. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
The local shop I deal with is VERY busy from late spring thru early fall. Mainly restoration work booked well in advance by people with lots of disposable income. If I want work done I generally have to have it done early in spring or wait until middle of fall or later. Their clients don't seem to be affected as much by the ecomony as the rest of us.
I've seen a chassis without much on it other than suspension and a few other parts where someone has already spent $20K on it. Think they actually had a skim coat of filler put on the frame to hide the rust scars. Anyway, there seem to be plenty of people with deep pockets who will pay big $$ to get their car restored.
I've seen a chassis without much on it other than suspension and a few other parts where someone has already spent $20K on it. Think they actually had a skim coat of filler put on the frame to hide the rust scars. Anyway, there seem to be plenty of people with deep pockets who will pay big $$ to get their car restored.
Last edited by BBCorv70; Sep 26, 2011 at 03:51 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Northeast Ohio
The local shop I deal with is VERY busy from late spring thru early fall. Mainly restoration work booked well in advance by people with lots of disposable income. If I want work done I generally have to have it done early in spring or wait until middle of fal or later. Their clients don't seem to be affected as much by the ecomony as the rest of us.
I've seen a chassis without much on it other than suspension and a few other parts where someone has already spent $20K on it. Think they actually had a skim coat of filler put on the frame to hide the rust scars. Anyway, there seem to be plenty of people with deep pockets who will pay big $$ to get their car restored.
I've seen a chassis without much on it other than suspension and a few other parts where someone has already spent $20K on it. Think they actually had a skim coat of filler put on the frame to hide the rust scars. Anyway, there seem to be plenty of people with deep pockets who will pay big $$ to get their car restored.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
No, lacking skill is only one of my problems.
We just hear so much bad depressing news on the US and EU economies so I was wondering how this area of the auto business was doing.
I would like to learn to do the body prep and paint though.
We just hear so much bad depressing news on the US and EU economies so I was wondering how this area of the auto business was doing.I would like to learn to do the body prep and paint though.
Last edited by gdh; Sep 26, 2011 at 07:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
I have been out of work for a few months and looking for something to do. If I knew what I was doing I would definitely take a stab at starting a classic car restoration shop down here. I don't know what I am doing and still am thinking about it - if someone down in South Fla know some real good mechanics with experience with classics and body/resto guys that would be interested in starting something let me know. Serious about this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 41
From: Pinecrest FL
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
Most of the time, you get what you pay for.
You can have you car painted tomorrow for $2500 or less.
The shops that charge $10k plus for a paint job are booked for 6-8 months.
You can have you car painted tomorrow for $2500 or less.
The shops that charge $10k plus for a paint job are booked for 6-8 months.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 830
Likes: 2
From: 6000' up in the mountains CA
Here's a thought...
Maybe well regarded restoration shops r during well because of the recession...
I've been looking for a vette (mostly C2, some C3s) for years, but the ones I wanted where 20-30K out of my reach...until now.
My just purchased C2 was restored by one of the best shops in the country by the previous owner...he had to sell it due to "the current economic situation". I think I got it for 20K or so less then it cost him. ...point is, people like me r buying cars cause they're getting to a price they can afford & the shops r keeping busy.
OTHO...what the hell do I know...
Maybe well regarded restoration shops r during well because of the recession...
I've been looking for a vette (mostly C2, some C3s) for years, but the ones I wanted where 20-30K out of my reach...until now.
My just purchased C2 was restored by one of the best shops in the country by the previous owner...he had to sell it due to "the current economic situation". I think I got it for 20K or so less then it cost him. ...point is, people like me r buying cars cause they're getting to a price they can afford & the shops r keeping busy.
OTHO...what the hell do I know...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
I think a shop should have a pay scale that the longer they keep the car , the lower the charge goes per hour.
Its not my fault you can't work faster or keep putting something in front of my car but still charge me like you were working on mine.
And yes thats what they do!
Its not my fault you can't work faster or keep putting something in front of my car but still charge me like you were working on mine.
And yes thats what they do!
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
I think a shop should have a pay scale that the longer they keep the car , the lower the charge goes per hour.
Its not my fault you can't work faster or keep putting something in front of my car but still charge me like you were working on mine.
And yes thats what they do!
Its not my fault you can't work faster or keep putting something in front of my car but still charge me like you were working on mine.
And yes thats what they do!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
No, but it is your fault that you didn't put a deadline date in the contract with the repair shop. You get what you expect...and if you don't expect the car to be done when you want it, that's exactly what you will get--no car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
Or a complete description of work and FIXED estimate.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
I guess you should get a lawyer involved so you don't get screwed or the shop will screw you.
Thats where the price is going to be sky high, because they don't know what they are getting into until you grind all the paint down and see all the chicken wire.
You can't get a fixed estimate because you won't be able to pay the bill.
Or a complete description of work and FIXED estimate.
You can't get a fixed estimate because you won't be able to pay the bill.
Last edited by Tim H; Sep 27, 2011 at 05:58 PM.