Pricing Excessive on Restore?

C

carnovice

New member
I am restoring my 1983 Volvo 240dl Coupe. I was recently sent a $10,000 bill for work that the shop did on the car. I could understand if this car was a 1930s classic but I can't understand how a 1983 Volvo can be this expensive to restore. The car body had no structural damage at all. I do not know much about cars so I can't exactly challenge him on this without some proof, it seems that for the work they did it should not have taken nearly as long nor costed nearly as much. I can hardly believe that it took them 87 hours worth of labor and they required 3000 in materials. There are at least 10 people working at this auto restoration shop and I just don't understand how the work that they did could have taken 87 hours. I have provided a picture of the invoice so you all can look at it and let me know if I have been ripped off. Any help would be great. Thank you for your time



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Sorry, carnovice... but it looks about right. It looks like the car had some rust issues, as the invoice stated sandblasting and sanding the car to prep for paint. Keep in mind that once a car ibegins to be dismantled for restoration, problems can be found, such as rust, worn parts, etc.



I take it this was a "frame on" restoration?



$70 an hour is inexpensive compared to some other shops.
 
Looks fine to me.



Perhaps you should have inquired first about a potential cost rather then weight for the bill.
 
it seems that for the work they did it should not have taken nearly as long nor costed nearly as much.
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Welcome to the wonderful world of auto restoration.



You said you were "recently sent a $10,000 Bill". Did you speak to them up front about how far you wanted to take this restoration? Did you visit the shop in person every few days while the work was going on to keep and eye on the work being done and monitor the running labor costs? Did you ask them to contact you once they reached a certain period in the restoration in terms of time or labor cost so you could discuss how to proceed? Did you get several references as to this shop's work and reputation prior to bringing your vehicle there? Did you ask the shop if you could provide some of the parts rather than the shop obtaining everything? Did you consider subcontracting the engine work out yourself rather than letting the shop "broker" that process?



A reputable restoration shop should work with you and keep in contact with you throughout the restoration process. Otherwise, it's up to you to "direct" the restoration and tell them what you want to focus on and in what areas corners could be cut.



When you drop a car off and tell them "let me know when it's done", this is usually the end result.



I know this probably won't help you feel any better about the cost but you're not in the minority here. Virtually all restorations end up costing way more than the value of the car in the end.
 
dschribs said:
Welcome to the wonderful world of auto restoration.



You said you were "recently sent a $10,000 Bill". Did you speak to them up front about how far you wanted to take this restoration? Did you visit the shop in person every few days while the work was going on to keep and eye on the work being done and monitor the running labor costs? Did you ask them to contact you once they reached a certain period in the restoration in terms of time or labor cost so you could discuss how to proceed? Did you get several references as to this shop's work and reputation prior to bringing your vehicle there? Did you ask the shop if you could provide some of the parts rather than the shop obtaining everything? Did you consider subcontracting the engine work out yourself rather than letting the shop "broker" that process?



A reputable restoration shop should work with you and keep in contact with you throughout the restoration process. Otherwise, it's up to you to "direct" the restoration and tell them what you want to focus on and in what areas corners could be cut.



When you drop a car off and tell them "let me know when it's done", this is usually the end result.



I know this probably won't help you feel any better about the cost but you're not in the minority here. Virtually all restorations end up costing way more than the value of the car in the end.
Click to expand...



:werd: That pretty much sums it up, regardless if it's a 1983 Volvo or a 1938 Packard.
 
$10000 for a whole car restoration is a STEAL. A bumper repaint around here costs $700-1000.
 
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