OKAY GUY'S I WOULD LIKE YOUR OPIONS ON AN AGE OLD QUESTION. HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY FOR SHOW QUALITY DRIVER PAINT AND BODY . I AM NOT TALKING SOME GUY SCUFFING SOME BONDO AND SPRAYING CHEAP ENAMEL IN HIS GARAGE. BUT STRIPPED TO BARE METAL ,REPAIR AND STRAIGHTEN WITH HAMMER AND DOLLEY ' BUTT WELDED AND METAL FINSHED JOINTS, BLOCK SANDED ,GLASED, PRIMED AND RESANDED AGAIN AND AGAIN TILL IT IS STRAIGHT AS POSSIBLE ,PAINTED AND THEN COLOR SANDED AND BUFFED TILL IT IS AS SMOOTH AS GLASS . THIS TYPE OF PAINT JOB CAN TAKE HUNDRED 'S OF MAN HOURS AND THAT IS IF YOU START WITH A REAL SOLID CAR TO BEGIN WITH. I HAVE BEEN DOING BODY AND PAINT SINCE I WAS 16 I AM NOW 51. I HAVE HAD MY OWN SHOP WHICH SPECIALISE'S IN STREET RODS AND RESTOREATION 'S FOR OVER 20 YEAR'S. THE COST OF DOING BUISNESS AND THE COST OF PARTS AND PAINT AND MATERIALS ARE JUST SKYROCKETING. I KNOW WHAT IT COST TO DO A NICE SHOW WORTHY DRIVER. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GET AN IDEA WHAT EVERY ONE ELSE THINKS. THANKS LARRY www.llcustomperformance.com
L&L CUSTOM PERFORMANCE
I personally wouldn't pay what it would cost because I can do most if it myself.
But what I've heard is that it's fairly easy to get to $10-15K for a really nice paintjob with very little bodywork. But that's for a higher-end show car, not a "driver". If there's significant metalwork like replacing floors or quarters, I think it could go much higher.
I'm not sure I understand how it gets there, but I know that materials alone can run around $2000. Seems like a week of minor metalwork and fitting, and another week of paint prep, painting, and buffing should get you there. Then if there's any assembly required it could take another couple of days. Now, we're talking about full 8-hour days so that seems fairly generous. So let's figure 100 hours of labor...that's around $5000-6000. Add the materials and you're at $8000. So how do they get to $15,000?
Remember, the Overhaulin' guys do it in a day or less. OTOH, I've been building my car for over 5 years now and I'm still not at the point of painting it.
But what I've heard is that it's fairly easy to get to $10-15K for a really nice paintjob with very little bodywork. But that's for a higher-end show car, not a "driver". If there's significant metalwork like replacing floors or quarters, I think it could go much higher.I'm not sure I understand how it gets there, but I know that materials alone can run around $2000. Seems like a week of minor metalwork and fitting, and another week of paint prep, painting, and buffing should get you there. Then if there's any assembly required it could take another couple of days. Now, we're talking about full 8-hour days so that seems fairly generous. So let's figure 100 hours of labor...that's around $5000-6000. Add the materials and you're at $8000. So how do they get to $15,000?
Remember, the Overhaulin' guys do it in a day or less.
OTOH, I've been building my car for over 5 years now and I'm still not at the point of painting it.
Hi Larry
I stop paint work in my shop back in 1999 to target our sheetmetal which seemed to dominate the shop. Now the last car was a 67 Corvette roadster 435 car. I believe that paint job was in the nieghborhood of 20 thousand. On an avarage we seemed to be in the 15 to 25 thousand range back then so I would only have to assume it would be with in that area if not more because of increase in material. Now some may feel that was a little more than it should be, but untill you put two or three seasoned pro's and an easy month of labor to do a Top Gun award car or better, and any area of the car looks as great as the exterior finish you will have some hard labor hours. There is a great bit of difference when a fellow that takes on his own paint work he only has to please him self,not to say they are not of a quality job, but as a shop as you well know Larry we have to over kill everything we do above and beyound what the customers expectation. This is what sepperates the once in a while paint from the (thats all we do ) paint.
I stop paint work in my shop back in 1999 to target our sheetmetal which seemed to dominate the shop. Now the last car was a 67 Corvette roadster 435 car. I believe that paint job was in the nieghborhood of 20 thousand. On an avarage we seemed to be in the 15 to 25 thousand range back then so I would only have to assume it would be with in that area if not more because of increase in material. Now some may feel that was a little more than it should be, but untill you put two or three seasoned pro's and an easy month of labor to do a Top Gun award car or better, and any area of the car looks as great as the exterior finish you will have some hard labor hours. There is a great bit of difference when a fellow that takes on his own paint work he only has to please him self,not to say they are not of a quality job, but as a shop as you well know Larry we have to over kill everything we do above and beyound what the customers expectation. This is what sepperates the once in a while paint from the (thats all we do ) paint.
Last year I took a tour of Sachse Rod Shop. http://www.sachserodshop.com/ I asked what they get for a paint job. They said they start at $20,000 and go up from there.
To me, I just could not pay $20k for paint unless I was restoring a Duesneberg or Bugatti. I am building a car that will be driven and will get nicks, dings, chips, and scratches in it over the years. IMHO, museum pieces get that kind of paint job.
Eldon
Eldon
I am one of those geeks that already has a cost/time MS Excel spreadsheet tracking my expenses and time spent on the car.
Eldon
Eldon
Chevynut, I think there's a huge blur when you try to divide what's paint and what's bodywork. If you include in the paint job any reworking of the doors and openings, trunk opening, etc. to make them fit perfectly - I'm talking adding metal or moving it - it will add a lot of hours. How much work this is depends on what you start with.
Same goes for underbody painting. And custom things like flames.
If you skim coat the whole car, that's another deal too.
I saw the car that Boyd's shop did for O'Reillys on Friday - the one that was just on TV - it is REALLY straight. OT, it had a couple of nice features, but I didn't think it was all that special.
Same goes for underbody painting. And custom things like flames.
If you skim coat the whole car, that's another deal too.
I saw the car that Boyd's shop did for O'Reillys on Friday - the one that was just on TV - it is REALLY straight. OT, it had a couple of nice features, but I didn't think it was all that special.
My car isn't worth a twenty grand paint job, but I've seen cars that have the expensive jobs (probably not the "Top Gun" job, but pretty darn good) and close by one with a DIY-looking job (not by someone who knows what they're doing, but done by a guy who can "do anything") and the difference is night and day.
I'm hoping to get a really good job done on mine for under $5k, but I dream a lot!
I'm hoping to get a really good job done on mine for under $5k, but I dream a lot!
Hi Chevynut
Yes those times do include strip , straighten , primer , color block primer , prep for color , clear coat , flat sand , apply any other graphics , final clear coating, flat sanding and buffing , polishing, reassemble, clean and detail.
Not to forget panel fitment remove and replace and so on.
Don't forget as I would tell my customers the are many levels of quality whether a driver or a show stopper were do you want to be . Realistic hours in a shop are logged and accounted for and even I have fallen back on my seat in disbelief when you tally.
With all respect until you run a or even own a 100 hour plus a week custom shop its hard to swallow .
It took me half my time growing up in this type of business to figure as long as you are accurate and precise in your repairs and refinishing you should feel comfortable with billing the hours you have accumulated at the predetermined hourly rate.
On the other hand If the shop feels it will only paint at a driver quality level you can set your price accordingly.
Most novice seeing a car at a local car show will enjoy a nice car with a nice shine, but will not look no further.
Ive seen cars painted in barns that look great and taken in to consideration what they had to work with to even achieve that level is worth more in pride than you could possibly pay for.
We support and judge local shows in our area and the ones that get our Pro's Pick are just those , the shoe string young gun that needs that vote of confidence to pursue the next level.
I think when you do log your hours (every hour) as if you were responsible for being able to say why it took this time you will be surprised of the end result.
Look back at how much time you have now and honestly think of how much more time it would take when you not pleasing your self but a customer your hours will certainly differ. Its no different for paint.
Yes those times do include strip , straighten , primer , color block primer , prep for color , clear coat , flat sand , apply any other graphics , final clear coating, flat sanding and buffing , polishing, reassemble, clean and detail.
Not to forget panel fitment remove and replace and so on.
Don't forget as I would tell my customers the are many levels of quality whether a driver or a show stopper were do you want to be . Realistic hours in a shop are logged and accounted for and even I have fallen back on my seat in disbelief when you tally.
With all respect until you run a or even own a 100 hour plus a week custom shop its hard to swallow .
It took me half my time growing up in this type of business to figure as long as you are accurate and precise in your repairs and refinishing you should feel comfortable with billing the hours you have accumulated at the predetermined hourly rate.
On the other hand If the shop feels it will only paint at a driver quality level you can set your price accordingly.
Most novice seeing a car at a local car show will enjoy a nice car with a nice shine, but will not look no further.
Ive seen cars painted in barns that look great and taken in to consideration what they had to work with to even achieve that level is worth more in pride than you could possibly pay for.
We support and judge local shows in our area and the ones that get our Pro's Pick are just those , the shoe string young gun that needs that vote of confidence to pursue the next level.
I think when you do log your hours (every hour) as if you were responsible for being able to say why it took this time you will be surprised of the end result.
Look back at how much time you have now and honestly think of how much more time it would take when you not pleasing your self but a customer your hours will certainly differ. Its no different for paint.
Any shop that looks to paint a car is gonna give you an estimate on depending on what you want done to the car. Most shop's labor is going to cost you at LEAST $40 an hour labor.
If the shop puts just one man (BTW 1 man can't do it in 200hrs) on it for 200hrs or 4 weeks the labor alone is $8000 for a high quaility paint job from stripped to buffed out.
If you can find someone to do near show quaility work for $15K you need to get it in writing, because you are getting a deal.
$8K to $10K is going to be labor for a near flawless job. That's a low estimate.
$2K and up for paint materials.
$?? for replacement panels, fabrication, fitment, previous repairs that have to be fixed.
If the shop puts just one man (BTW 1 man can't do it in 200hrs) on it for 200hrs or 4 weeks the labor alone is $8000 for a high quaility paint job from stripped to buffed out.
If you can find someone to do near show quaility work for $15K you need to get it in writing, because you are getting a deal.
$8K to $10K is going to be labor for a near flawless job. That's a low estimate.
$2K and up for paint materials.
$?? for replacement panels, fabrication, fitment, previous repairs that have to be fixed.
show quality paint
show quality paint is what ever makes YOU happy there are to many variables and personal prefernces to make a general statement on that i believe hey if you want to paint your ride with rustoleum spray cans more power to you,i personaly am not going for a SHOW quality paint job and i am not doing this car to please others.I do though have to be happy with the results when i get it painted but i will be realistic when it comes to the price versus the end result i could see where a paint job would cost 20,000 for a pro to do,i'll equate it to my field i'am a welder in a fabrication shop and when people ask me to just weld a little job for them and they find out it'll cost 200 300 bucks they get a little shocked,well they do not realize that this a profession everything cost something it just depends on to what degree you are willing to go.so i guess i'am rambling but my advice is to have a VERY CLEAR plan on to how you want your project to turn out wether it is a rat rod in flat black primer or a show car again as long as you are happy with it that's all that matters
show quality paint is what ever makes YOU happy there are to many variables and personal prefernces to make a general statement on that i believe hey if you want to paint your ride with rustoleum spray cans more power to you,i personaly am not going for a SHOW quality paint job and i am not doing this car to please others.I do though have to be happy with the results when i get it painted but i will be realistic when it comes to the price versus the end result i could see where a paint job would cost 20,000 for a pro to do,i'll equate it to my field i'am a welder in a fabrication shop and when people ask me to just weld a little job for them and they find out it'll cost 200 300 bucks they get a little shocked,well they do not realize that this a profession everything cost something it just depends on to what degree you are willing to go.so i guess i'am rambling but my advice is to have a VERY CLEAR plan on to how you want your project to turn out wether it is a rat rod in flat black primer or a show car again as long as you are happy with it that's all that matters
THANKS FOR THE RESPONCE GUY'S . JUST TO MAKE THINGS CLEAR . WHEN I REFER TO A SHOW QUALITY DRIVER I AM TALKING THE ONE'S WE TAKE TO THE LOCAL CRUISE'S AND CAR SHOWS , NOT THE WORLD OF WHEELS OR PEBBEL BEACH. I SPEND HOUR'S APOND HOURS TALKING AND SHOWING CUSTOMERS WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PAINT AND BODY PROCESS. EVEN TO THE POINT OF A FEW YEARS BACK TAKEING ONE OF MY PRODJECT CARS AND DOING BASIC BODY SHOP 101 ON ONE SIDE. FIX DENTS AND RUST HOLES, SPOT PRIME THE REPAIR AREAS FEATHER SAND AND THEN PRIME THE HOLE RIGHT SIDE , FINAL SAND AND SEAL AND PAINT, NO BUFF. ABOUT A HUNDRED HOURS LABOR. THE LEFT SIDE WE STRIPPED TO BARE METAL , REPAIRED EVERYTHING WITH BUTT WELDING AND HAMMER/DOLLEY METAL FINISHING AND THE PROCEEDED TO BLOCK SAND IT 3 TO 4 TIMES WITH HIGH BUILD PRIMER AND THEN PRIMED THE FINISHED PRODUCT WITH DP 90 WET SANDED WITH 600, PAINTED , COLOR SANDED STARTING WITH 1000 GRIT AND FINALY WORKING UP TO 3000 GRIT BUFFED IT 3 SEPEPERATE TIMES WITH FINER AND FINER COMPOUND . THAT TOOK ABOUT 350 MAN HOURS . ONE SIDE WAS CONSIDERED A DRIVER AND RIVALED THE FINISH OF MY LATE MODEL SUV. THE OTHER IS WHAT WE DO FOR THE MOST PART TO ATTEND LOCAL SHOWS. THE WORK ON THE LEFT SIDE ALSO INCLUDED THE DOOR JAMS ,TRUNK AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I USED IT AS A DIPLAY PIECE AT SHOWS TILL SOME ONE WANTED IT WORST THAN I DID. BUT THE MORAL IS THAT EVEN THOUGH I COULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT SIDE WAY FOR A 3RD OF THE COST [ ABOUT 5 TO 6000.00 ] NO ONE WOULD ACCEPT IT BECAUSE IT DID NOT LOOK " SHOW QUALITY" BUT THEY ALL THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT THEY COULD GET A 12 TO 18,000.00 JOB FOR 5000.00 . I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMITT THAT THESE PRICE'S ARE INSANE. BUT IT IS NOT THE GUY BEHIND THE SPRAYGUN THAT IS PROFITTING FROM IT. IT IS THE INSURANCE COMPANY ,THE UTILITIES ,THE TAX MAN ECT. ECT. NOT TO MENTION THE PAINT AND SUPPLY MANUFACTOR'S . THEY ARE THE REASON WE ARE CHARGEING 50 TO 75.00 PER HOUR. BY THE WAY ONE OF MY FORMER EMPLOYEE'S MOVED TO CAILF. AND WAS ACTUALLY ENVOLVED WITH ONE OF THE CREW'S ON OVERHAULING . WHEN HE CAME BACK HOME FOR A VISIT HE STOPPED BY AND WHEN I ASKED HIM WHAT IT WAS LIKE HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE FIRED MOST OF THEM .
THE REASON FOR ALL THIS RANT IS I AM CONSIDERING CLOSEING UP SHOP . A 35 YEAR PLUS DREAM JUST IS NOT FUN ANYMORE. ANYONE WANT A SLITELY USED 10,000 SQ FT. SHOP ? THANKS LARRY
www.llcustomperformance.com
THE REASON FOR ALL THIS RANT IS I AM CONSIDERING CLOSEING UP SHOP . A 35 YEAR PLUS DREAM JUST IS NOT FUN ANYMORE. ANYONE WANT A SLITELY USED 10,000 SQ FT. SHOP ? THANKS LARRY
www.llcustomperformance.com
Larry
I really enjoyed the paint work but every job you put out the next one you tried to out do your self from the last one. Some one ask me one time the more you do the better you get , you must get faster..... I said no you dont get faster you just get more particular because you want to acheive a better product each time which can take a bit longer.
You never seem to look for quicker just better. I really enjoy the sheet metal part of the job and it seems to be were most pay the least attention. We have taylored our shop around it and contract jobs from other shops who would rather paint.
Pick something that you feel your best at and specialise in it you will find the serious customer will be more than happy to have you do just that. We refere
paint work to a few shops but most customers have that already in there plan when they get here. Maybe its time to kick back and enjoy your favorite part of the job instead of closing up shop.
I really enjoyed the paint work but every job you put out the next one you tried to out do your self from the last one. Some one ask me one time the more you do the better you get , you must get faster..... I said no you dont get faster you just get more particular because you want to acheive a better product each time which can take a bit longer.
You never seem to look for quicker just better. I really enjoy the sheet metal part of the job and it seems to be were most pay the least attention. We have taylored our shop around it and contract jobs from other shops who would rather paint.
Pick something that you feel your best at and specialise in it you will find the serious customer will be more than happy to have you do just that. We refere
paint work to a few shops but most customers have that already in there plan when they get here. Maybe its time to kick back and enjoy your favorite part of the job instead of closing up shop.
Thank,s Steve
I Read Alot Of Your Remarks On This Site . I Have A Feeling If We Would Ever Meet In Person We Could Proably Become Great Friend's! [ Do You Like Beer ! Ha Ha!!] What I Have Always Loved About This Lifestlye [ No I Do Not Consider It A Hobbey , It Is And Alway's Has Been My Life!] Was Developeing The Ability To Create And Build And Finish Any Part Of These Car's . Planing, Building ,painting ,i Do Upholstery, Engine And Drivetrain . And When It Is All Finished Have It Enjoyed By People Who See It And Know It Was Done For The Love Of The Car And Not Whether It Is 100 Point Flawless Or Whether I Can Get My Money Back Out Of It. Years Ago When I Started The First Shop I Built Cars For Myself And Usualy Before The Paint Driied Someone Wanted It Worst Than Me . They Accepted The Finish Product For What It Was And How It Was Finished . I Miss Those Day's And So I Will Not Close Up Intirely But I Think The New Shop On Main Street I Built 5 Years Ago Will Become Someone Else's Dream And I Will Go Back To The Old One I Built 20 Years Ago That Sits On 20 Acre's Of Rural Land Next To My House And Go Back To Building Cars That Make Me Happy And If Someone Wants It Worst Than Me . That's Fine , It Will Give Me The Funds To Build The Next One. But I Will Still Keep Shooting My Mouth Of On Tri Five .com Talk To You Later
I Read Alot Of Your Remarks On This Site . I Have A Feeling If We Would Ever Meet In Person We Could Proably Become Great Friend's! [ Do You Like Beer ! Ha Ha!!] What I Have Always Loved About This Lifestlye [ No I Do Not Consider It A Hobbey , It Is And Alway's Has Been My Life!] Was Developeing The Ability To Create And Build And Finish Any Part Of These Car's . Planing, Building ,painting ,i Do Upholstery, Engine And Drivetrain . And When It Is All Finished Have It Enjoyed By People Who See It And Know It Was Done For The Love Of The Car And Not Whether It Is 100 Point Flawless Or Whether I Can Get My Money Back Out Of It. Years Ago When I Started The First Shop I Built Cars For Myself And Usualy Before The Paint Driied Someone Wanted It Worst Than Me . They Accepted The Finish Product For What It Was And How It Was Finished . I Miss Those Day's And So I Will Not Close Up Intirely But I Think The New Shop On Main Street I Built 5 Years Ago Will Become Someone Else's Dream And I Will Go Back To The Old One I Built 20 Years Ago That Sits On 20 Acre's Of Rural Land Next To My House And Go Back To Building Cars That Make Me Happy And If Someone Wants It Worst Than Me . That's Fine , It Will Give Me The Funds To Build The Next One. But I Will Still Keep Shooting My Mouth Of On Tri Five .com Talk To You Later
Larry,
Profitable or not, if it's not fun, maybe it's time to retire? You could alway's work for someone else and let them field all the headaches of ownership. Sounds like you had a good run.
No reason you couldn't still be involved, maybe a sales rep for paint supplies and paint. Or as a consultant?
When I retire I plan on working for WalMart as a greeter!!!!!
Tom
Profitable or not, if it's not fun, maybe it's time to retire? You could alway's work for someone else and let them field all the headaches of ownership. Sounds like you had a good run.
No reason you couldn't still be involved, maybe a sales rep for paint supplies and paint. Or as a consultant?
When I retire I plan on working for WalMart as a greeter!!!!!
Tom
Larry
There was a fellow who closed up shop about five years ago . Now he builds one car at a time and brings it to a show and sells it. It takes him just under a year to do this and he makes a great living at it.
When a fellow comes along and buys the car its a done deal he is happy there are no changes theres no waiting , it goes away and you go home and play again .
Hmmmmm sounds like fun to me.
Oh I dont drink any thing but coffee tea or water. But we would stil get along just great.
There was a fellow who closed up shop about five years ago . Now he builds one car at a time and brings it to a show and sells it. It takes him just under a year to do this and he makes a great living at it.
When a fellow comes along and buys the car its a done deal he is happy there are no changes theres no waiting , it goes away and you go home and play again .
Hmmmmm sounds like fun to me.
Oh I dont drink any thing but coffee tea or water. But we would stil get along just great.
Paint & Choices!
The Passion for Tri-Fives involves many Choices! The Chassis, Engine, Brakes, Interior/Exterior, if it was easy everyone would partake! Just look at what these restored Automobiles are bringing at Auction, it is Scarry! Who would think that Value of the Cars we owned as Teenagers & Young Adults would rival a descent IRA!(provided we didn't sell them to pay Doctor's Bills or House Payments! Just to put it in Perspective: College Costs 1967 vs. 2007, thats a Jaw Dropper! Summary: I will pay the price, I don't like it but it gives me that much Pleasure to sit in that Old Car and watch people STARE! My Wife however is of a much different opinion and Strongly Suggested that I go back to Work! I have way to much time & money invested in that women to find someone else to take over the Payments.
Today while watching "My Classic Car" & Dennis Gage he had some reps from Sherwin Williams & the retired Chevy High Performance Dude whose name escapes me!(Very Tall) and they were talking about some new paint. I was doing multitasking as my wife is still a Fulltime RN (1970) and since Early Retirement for them destroys their Pension can not retire yet. They were discussing some new Paint! Can anyone fill me in?
The Passion for Tri-Fives involves many Choices! The Chassis, Engine, Brakes, Interior/Exterior, if it was easy everyone would partake! Just look at what these restored Automobiles are bringing at Auction, it is Scarry! Who would think that Value of the Cars we owned as Teenagers & Young Adults would rival a descent IRA!(provided we didn't sell them to pay Doctor's Bills or House Payments! Just to put it in Perspective: College Costs 1967 vs. 2007, thats a Jaw Dropper! Summary: I will pay the price, I don't like it but it gives me that much Pleasure to sit in that Old Car and watch people STARE! My Wife however is of a much different opinion and Strongly Suggested that I go back to Work! I have way to much time & money invested in that women to find someone else to take over the Payments.
Today while watching "My Classic Car" & Dennis Gage he had some reps from Sherwin Williams & the retired Chevy High Performance Dude whose name escapes me!(Very Tall) and they were talking about some new paint. I was doing multitasking as my wife is still a Fulltime RN (1970) and since Early Retirement for them destroys their Pension can not retire yet. They were discussing some new Paint! Can anyone fill me in?
Larry, Get back to doing what you enjoy. That is the best way to work. I do the best work that I can do and you will always have some who would expect you to do it for free or at least cheaper than anyone else. Have a great day!!!
Dave
Dave
THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONCE GUYS. IT IS AS I FIGURED ABOUT 50 /50. BUT IT IS ALSO OBVIOUS THAT THE CUSTOMER BASE THAT CAN AFFORD WHAT WE HAVE TO CHARGE ESPECIALY HERE IN THE MIDWEST IS DECREASEING AT A RAPID RATE. TIME TO HANG UP THE 4 SALE SIGN AND GO BACK TO THE HOUSE AND BUILD THE CARS I ENJOY. WE HAVE LOST ALOT OF SPECIALTY SHOPS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND IT WAS ALWAYS THE SAME STORY NO ONE WANTS TO PAY THE BILL!! BUT WHEN I THINK BACK TO 1970 WHEN I PAINTED MY FIRST CAR WITH MY DADS LITTLE CRAFTSMAN AIR COMPRESSOR IT WAS BECAUSE I WENT TO SEVERAL SHOPS AND THEY WANTED 4 TO 500.00 TO DO IT!! THEY BOTH WORKED OUT OF ACOUPLE OF OLD SERVICE STATIONS . TWO STALLS , A TORCH , ARC WELDER , A FAN IN THE WALL AND TWO SPRAY GUN'S , ONE FOR PRIMER , ONE FOR PAINT. IF I REMEMER THEY CHARGED ABOUT 10.00 PER HOUR AND I MADE A 1.75. SAME OLD STORY JUST THE NUMBER'S HAVE CHANGED. TALK TO YOU LATER LARRY www.llcustomperformance.com
P.S. JUST THINK, IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER I MAY HAVE BECOME A DOCTOR OR A LAWYER INSTEAD!!!
P.S. JUST THINK, IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER I MAY HAVE BECOME A DOCTOR OR A LAWYER INSTEAD!!!
Larry,
I feel your pain. LOL. That's about the way it is down here also. Folks get all huffy and mad when you quote them $40 or better an hour for labor, but they don't get what it cost to run a shop.
Out of a $40 an hour labor bill the technician is paid($15 plus benefits), after the lights, shop rent or morgage, insurance, shop tools(air compressor, paint booth, etc), plus another whole list of things that would take up too much room to type. That doesn't leave very much profit for the business. People don't realize that the business HAS to turn a profit or it won't be open long.
I have so many friends and family that want me to work on their cars for charity that becomes an issue fast. Then you get the guy that is going to go over the paint job with a microscope and point out every little flaw and complain about the price. That's also the same guy that has called you everyday asking when he can get his car because he needed it back the next day after he dropped it off.
You and I are in the same boat, I'm just about done working on stuff for the public and I am gonna enjoy just working on my own stuff.
Dale
I feel your pain. LOL. That's about the way it is down here also. Folks get all huffy and mad when you quote them $40 or better an hour for labor, but they don't get what it cost to run a shop.
Out of a $40 an hour labor bill the technician is paid($15 plus benefits), after the lights, shop rent or morgage, insurance, shop tools(air compressor, paint booth, etc), plus another whole list of things that would take up too much room to type. That doesn't leave very much profit for the business. People don't realize that the business HAS to turn a profit or it won't be open long.
I have so many friends and family that want me to work on their cars for charity that becomes an issue fast. Then you get the guy that is going to go over the paint job with a microscope and point out every little flaw and complain about the price. That's also the same guy that has called you everyday asking when he can get his car because he needed it back the next day after he dropped it off.
You and I are in the same boat, I'm just about done working on stuff for the public and I am gonna enjoy just working on my own stuff.
Dale
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