Was this a joke??
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 653
From: Brentwood, TN
The cost of labor and materials has skyrocketed...EPA, OSHA, etc have regulated the bejesus out of the industry resulting in higher facilities and materials. Many smaller shops have just closed up or gone "off the grid". I know many shop owners who have "bitten the bullet" and completely upgraded their facilities to meet the new regulations; water-based paint, completely self-contained breathing aparatus, etc...and they are looking at many years before their expenses are recouped. Now the 400 lb brains at the EPA are looking twice at the value of water-based paints. Just like methanol in our gas these changes seem to be having the opposite results of those intended. Gotta love big government...meanwhile it's the consumer that bears the cost.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
If that's not the intent it certainly is the effect. "Get big or get out"; large corporations can afford the regulations and requirements and even hire extra people to ensure compliance with all the red tape and things like that. Very sad. Small businesses become smaller, and have to fold.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
I'm in the insurance collision industry so I'll put in my 2c. $15k is cheap if you ask me. I'm having the front clip redone for the 51 and it'll be in the $2k range by the time they're done and this price is low because of the people I know in the industry. Also, it'll just be basecoat paint with no clear.
Keep in mind that a profitable repair job for a body shop is in the $3-5k range. Something that they can turn in 1-2 weeks is what makes the largest profit margin. The higher the repair cost, the less profit. The longer the repair job, the greater propensity for something to go wrong during/after the repair process.
Keep in mind that a profitable repair job for a body shop is in the $3-5k range. Something that they can turn in 1-2 weeks is what makes the largest profit margin. The higher the repair cost, the less profit. The longer the repair job, the greater propensity for something to go wrong during/after the repair process.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 4
From: Southern SC.
Dave estimating damage on a newer car is fairly easy because of flat rate.books that tell you what it.should take do a job. Also if a car is less.than ten years old the damage is usually confined to the damaged ara. When you start work on an old vehicle there could be a lot of hidden damage and lots of.rust not mention some the "inventive" modifications done over the years. There's way too much that could wrong not to give an old vehicle a close inspection.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 47
From: Lancaster county, PA
I had my good friend who owns a body shop paint 3 of my vehicles, all of which had new sheet metal so the parts were new,he did minor metal repair and the usual skim coat of filler ,I paid with the body work and paint between 6000 and 9000 so if that gives you an estimate, keep in mind he is a good friend of mine
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 146
From: Goulburn, NSW
You know painting these things is expensive when a "backyard guy" quotes you ten grand to paint your truck. Had a fellow put in a new windscreen for my van a couple of months ago and he asked about my truck and whether I was gonna paint it. I said, well, eventually if I win the lottery I might, and he said he used to be a spray painter and he could do it in his spare time for ten grand.