Paint job estimates/ cost

[Takid455]

I'm looking to seee what is reasonable for a show quality paint job. Obiously if you do it yourself it is cheaper. factoring time and lack of skills, i am looking to job my piant out. i have an estimate of 8k and here is what it will include:
Car is 78 t/a w/ t tops
body is in bare metal and all rust area hae been welded. no major
dents in body, just minor dings and factory imperfections
fenders foward have been primered and body work done
I went sand and supply just paint nothing else

the job
body work on body
new section of fire wall installed around blower motor b/c body guy doesn't like the way it looks (car was hit there, dont see area w/ fender bolted on. he siad he'd do it free, but i figure it into the price)
sub frame welded into subframe connector along w/ support braces (4)
underside smooth ( not street rod ridler award smooth , but damn near)
custom 2 tone paint job for whole car ( i supply the paint)
i get car back and its ready for assembly, body and paint done.

let me know what all you think from expirence
shop is reputable and around the corner from me. known owner for many years.

[Happyfunballs]

If he's gonna do all that for 8K, you better drop it off. I would also wonder why the cost is ONLY 8K and make sure he understands exactly what you want. Seems to me it should be almost double that.

[novanutcase]

Hmmmmm.........I wouldn't say double but I would definetly talk to him again and make it clear as to what your expectations are. This way there are no surpises on either side. As a good rule of thumb, I would tack on at least another 20% to your estimate since little nickel and dime things, and they add up quick, seem to always pop up on these jobs so this way you already have it in your budget.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Good advise from novenutcase. Pick his brain a bit more, make sure you are on the same page, and get a contract done before he realizes he forgot to carry a decimal somewhere.

[DRJDVM's '69]

In you post you say that you supply the paint.... so is the cost of the paint included in the $8k or is that just for his labor etc ?? One of the big things with paint jobs now a days is the supplies alone are getting expensive for quality materials. You can easily spend 2-3k just for the paint supplies alone.

If the $8k is for everything, supplies and labor, it sounds low for what you want done.

[Takid455]

The 8k is everything except for paint and my time wet sanding the primer prior to paint. Masking, buffing, primer, materials, ect to the paint; fixing minor welds (‘stray’ bullet hole from previous owner) are included in the 8k. I asked if this can increase and was told only if I add in additional items such as molding on spoilers, or other fabrication work. This is what I am told. Car was gone over by both of us. Estimate is based on that. I thought this was on the high side, but apparently not. Terms and conditions will be made in a contract prior to awarding the job to protect from future ‘misunderstandings’.

From your responses providing that this is a ‘show’ quality job, it’s not a bad deal, huh?

[novanutcase]

Frank........

TA....Good Idea, BUT.......keep in mind that this is an ESTIMATE! Who knows what lurks in and around the body. Again, I would at the very least tack on the additional percentage, at least in my mind because he will come back at you with whatever pops up. It would be a shame to have the car come out not quite as nice as you wanted it because you didn't want to spring the extra $1,000 for him to make the paint really POP!!!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Frank........

TA....Good Idea, BUT.......keep in mind that this is an ESTIMATE! Who knows what lurks in and around the body. Again, I would at the very least tack on the additional percentage, at least in my mind because he will come back at you with whatever pops up. It would be a shame to have the car come out not quite as nice as you wanted it because you didn't want to spring the extra $1,000 for him to make the paint really POP!!!

Well, see, I do not subscribe to the extra $1000 theroy. We do not give estimates, we give cost. I feel we need to be able to see through the paint as professionals, and give a solid price. However, I realize many shops cannot / will not do this, and I cannot fault them for it since it is "industry standard", but we do not do it. I had a customer in today making a payment, he asked, so how are we looking for the final bill? Anything that might add to the cost. I told him no, everything is on track. He then makes the potentially fatal mistake of telling me "he has a + or - $2000 he kind of set aside for surprises". When he should be saying is, "So Frank, I want to be sure we are on track cost wise and there is not going to be any additional cost, because this is all the money I have in the budget", as he hands me the payment! Because most shops would spend at least $1500 of his $2000 as soon as he tells them he has it in the budget.