Resto rates and time estimate

[Sublime]

On a side note, I really wanted my 71 conv. restored by a VERY well-known out of state shop but he told me up front that it would be 2 years before he could get to it. I passed because I didn't want to wait that long.   

Mind if I ask what shop this was?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

  Not all shops "restorations" are what you think they are. I've seen and heard stories from others I know on botched restorations that then cost 3 times as much to "fix" 

[whitesatinmopar]

I would think that a true resto shop would be the most costly estimate or quote. Logic behind that is that they "specialize" in that kind of work and have the vender resourses to find/get what you need. Wheras a "colision" shop deals primarily with isurance claims as their main source of work/income. They can then in between work on a "resto" job, but it will not get prioirty. Also most collision shops may depend or require you to line up or even collect whatever parts that are needed for your car. I make this statement out of the fact that an old friend of mine has a body/paint shop and he did two of my cars, but he did not spend consecutive hours/days on the work until the car was completed. The exception of course to this was when it was ready for the final blocksanding and painting then he had guys stay with the car until it was done.

[RusTy/SE]

  That is why a collision shop is doing mine. The folks who work there have known my Challengers and i for many years. Just as important to me is that they are knowledgeable about Mopars. Everyone's circumstances will be different. Since we are familiar with each other, in my case the agreement is an informal one, that is to say no set cost or completion date. I'll be the first to agree with others that that is not the way to do it, it just happens to be my circumstance. I believe i am in a very fortunate situation where my car is concerned but each person must look at their own set of circumstances. Time estimate, and this is totally a guess, would be a year or so
The fellow doing the vast majority of the metalwork on my R/T SE did my first 1970 Challenger R/T nearly twenty years ago. To say i'm happy about that would be fairly accurate    Here's a pic of it from 1998 after i had sold it

Russ

[70RTdroptop]

My buddy, who has done 4 of my cars ( 1 of them from basket-case status to restored, my '71 Charger RT ) does really nice work, specializes in Mopars, is a total gear-head ( does everything form bodywork to wiring and everything in between ) and is very reasonable in his rates, charges $ 40.00 per hour. One of the cars he did is a 15-year-old restoration of my '73 Charger, and it still looks real good, no rust, nice straight body, shiny paint, the whole works.

[SilverChally]

I need to charge more   Oh well, I enjoy it mostly and its good money to me   Guess as I have more work out there I'll raise my rates.