How many hours should it take?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
How many hours should it take?
I have a 72 that I dropped off to a restoration shop in November. Since then, they have accumulated 252 hours. How many hours for a restoration project for a professional. Frame was already painted with new brake lines ran, engine intact (had to assemble and order all new exterior parts -hoses, pulleys, pumps) new windshield etc. Take a look at my pics to see the starting point. I need input. I need to see if they have been charging me for slow hours.
http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/chancwds/
http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/chancwds/
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
It's always good to discuss the total estimated time for a restoration BEFORE the work starts. I've seen some take a few months or more. The time spent on yours so far equals 31.5 days, at 8 hrs. per day...professional work takes time. I'd look for references or previous finished work before committing. In your case, you'll have to assess the value of the work and service. Your pics show a thorough job so far. Good luck with the project.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 87
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Good restoration shops are not the typical high volume push them out the door mechanics. They do accumulate the hours but if they do the job the way you want the way you want it, you are getting what you pay for.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by C3 Stroker
It's always good to discuss the total estimated time for a restoration BEFORE the work starts. I've seen some take a few months or more...
I have a friend that does Corvettes only. They start at $25k for a full frame off-labor only. I think you could easily have 750-1000 hours in a really good resto. His price includes an engine rebuild and frame work, so you could back off some, but really good paint alone could be $8000.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
I agree with C3Stroker, get a estimate before work begins, Visit weekly, if they are a good shop they should not mind you dropping in each week. Verify brand/quality of products they are using.
What work have they done for the 252 hours thus far, I couldn't determine that based on the pics.
Time and material can drain your pocket real quick. You need a detailed Statement of Work with an itemized estimate.
What work have they done for the 252 hours thus far, I couldn't determine that based on the pics.
Time and material can drain your pocket real quick. You need a detailed Statement of Work with an itemized estimate.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
Itemized list
I have an itemized invoice (of which I had to ask to itemize hours). It would be great if someone with resto. experience could take a look at the list to see if the hours are true hours and not slow hours.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Hard to know what is slow, fast, or normal. Condition of the car and how nice you want it change everything. My suggestion is to go in stages, that is how I got mine painted. Pay a deposit, set out a small group of things to do. When they are done, inspect the car, leave a deposit on the next group until the car is done. That way you can keep a reign on runaway expenses. If you run out of money before it's done, you can take the car and come again later. Most shops don't want the car longer than they have to, they don't want to store it, they want you to be happy, but quality takes time-and money.
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Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Holy crap. 
252hr x $70/hr = $17,640 just in labor? I'd hate to see the parts list & prices. Do they add another 30% on parts?
I'll have to inform my wife of all the money I'm saving her.
252hr x $70/hr = $17,640 just in labor? I'd hate to see the parts list & prices. Do they add another 30% on parts?I'll have to inform my wife of all the money I'm saving her.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
on my 1960 MGA restoration i had approx 700 hrs in it and i painted it ....on my Austin Healey 3000 it was closer to 400 hours and I had some one else paint it.....i have not kept an account of time on the vette project but these projects take time to do right.....thats why its always cheaper to buy one completely done then to take on the project your self.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
How many hours should it take is too open ended a question to be answered. If you feel you are being soaked for hours you have picked the wrong shop. Unless you are there watching every minute you will never know you have to trust the shop or get a firm price not give him an open checkbook. I can sometimes take hours to remove one bolt if it is frozen sufficently. Paying by the hour is not the best of ideas I would much prefer to price the whole job. At least that way I know what I will spend and whether or not to spend it. You may be looking into a bottomless pit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: Beacon NY
Well, I'm attempting a restoration on my '79 and I've been working on my car for about 10 months now. If you figure I work an average of 5 hours a week on the car (which I believe is an extremely low estimate on the ammount of work I put into the car in given week) then I'm already up to a rough estimate of 5*(40 weeks) = 200 hours. I think I'll have it running in another month or so.
However I'm not a professional and I work extremely slow....
However I'm not a professional and I work extremely slow....