There’s a lot to consider when looking for an automotive restoration company that can help you with upgrading and making your classic car a beauty you enjoy taking out and showing off. With all the options out there, it can be difficult to know where and how to begin your search. We believe in keeping our customers educated and informed so you always feel confident you’ve made the right decision for this important project. We’ve put together this list of 3 questions you should always ask yourself and any potential vendor before making your decision.
How Much Will This Cost?
The first piece of advice is to ask for an estimate. Since budgets are a huge deciding factor in how you’ll likely move forward with your classic car restoration, then it’s important to understand what it will cost and why the priciest quote could still be the best option sometimes.
There are a lot of things that go into these estimates, the important thing is that you should get a very detailed breakdown of what the job will cost and how long it’ll take. You should also make sure the shop offers some sort of guarantee or warranty on their work.
Oftentimes with these antique cars, there could be rare parts that are harder to come by or additional layers of work needed to repair a car if it’s been sitting somewhere for very long and has lots of structural issues.
What is the Timeline for the Project?
A vehicle restoration project generally takes between two and six months to complete. However, some factors that can affect how long the classic car restoration project takes include budget, damage and more. When a vehicle is heavily damaged, for example, it may take as long as several months (depending on the type of vehicle, the extent of the damage, and what it will take to complete) for repairs to be completed. The type of vehicle you drive is also a factor. If it’s a classic muscle car or an exotic car, expect more time to be needed than if it’s just a regular sedan as some parts can be harder to find. Then there are other factors like how busy the auto body shop is and how many people they have working on your vehicle. These are all important questions to ask and factors to understand before making a commitment to an automotive restoration company.
Can I see Photos and Testimonials of Past Projects?
If a company goes through the effort of restoring your car, it’s only fair that you see examples of their work. You should also be able to see photos of the process and testimonials from satisfied customers in the past. These will help you get an idea of what type of restoration services they offer, as well as how professional they are at handling different situations.
Remember, you are the customer and the client. You deserve to be treated with respect and honesty by the shop you use for your car restoration project. If you have any doubts, ask for references!
How to Find the Right Restoration Shop
If you know any fellow classic car enthusiasts, they can be excellent sources of information on competent local restoration shops. If you visit a car show and see a vehicle you admire, the owner may be willing to give you the name of the shop that performed the restoration work. Ask people about their experiences, including whether the project was completed on time and whether the quality of the work and the price met their expectations.
Some types of restoration work can be performed by any licensed shop. If you need to have work done on a component that is specific to your vehicle, however, you will be better off looking for a business that has expertise with that particular make, model, and type of project.
Once you have narrowed the field to a few shops, visit them if possible. Seeing the work area is important. Look at how clean and organized it is to get an idea of how well the shop is run. Also, observe the moods of the workers. Employees who seem focused, content, and not rushed will most likely perform quality work.
Do Your Due Diligence
Check with state regulatory agencies and the Better Business Bureau to find out if any complaints have been filed against a restoration shop. A small number of complaints shouldn’t necessarily be a red flag, but a large number of complaints, or allegations of criminal activity, should be enough to make you choose another shop.
Get a Written Agreement
Make sure that everything you agree to is put in writing before any work begins or any money changes hands. Specify the work to be done, the parts to be used, when the work is to be completed, and the estimated price. If any disagreements arise, you will be able to refer to the contract to resolve them. If any changes need to be made or any unforeseen problems arise, the agreement can be amended.
There are a lot of things to consider when hiring an automotive restoration company. But if you take the time to ask the right questions, you can make sure your car is in good hands and that your expectations will be met.
At Innovative Restorations in Wallingford, Connecticut, our expert team can help take your project from idea to reality! We have full facilities with a paint booth, machine shop, car rotisserie, and multiple lifts. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
