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Suggestions for working with an outside restoration shop
Gentlemen:
Based upon my limited knowledge of companies doing full restorations, I would suggest the following before spending 10,000, 20,000 or even 50,000.
Get monthly (preferably weekly) reports on the status of the work being done. These monthly/weekly reports should include some form of time sheets that tells how much work was done that week or month. The shop rate is usually posted on the wall. When I requested some verification of their actions, the owner told me no one had ever questioned his billing and he kept few records of what work was performed. If they are are a professional, they will not have mis-matched scraps of paper with literal scribbled entrys.
If a substantial purchase or service is made, ask for copies of those receipts from the source for that part or that sub-contracted service. One shop told me, they put a partial used frame under the front of one of my cars. Some where’s in the front before the frame rails go out to full width. They never could tell me where it was seamed. When I asked if they used a sleeve; the owner could not remember for sure. If he had someone else in his shop perform that work, I would think that person would know the answer. Nobody knew nothing and the owner never even made an effort to check with his workers.
Do not give them one third of the estimated cost up front. They have your car and that is plenty of security. They may take much longer to begin the work. If they know payment is due, when services are rendered you car may be finished sooner. If their cash flow is that constrained, find another shop.
Do not pay them the final payment, if they do not return all the parts agreed upon in advance. Or they do not return new parts that were never installed.
Do not agree to pay for an item or service valued at $4,680.00 if the owner states he forgot to bill you for this from FOUR YEARS ago. And when you ask them for verification and they have nothing – do not pay them as I did.
Get a definitive time line when the car should be finished. I told one shop that I wanted a nice NCRS type restoration but would never have the car actually formally judged by NCRS. Consequently, my car was delayed for the Bloomington entrants, then it was the Cypress Garden entrants, then the Carlisle entrants, etc., etc. Everyone else had priority because they were entered in an event.
I’m sure there are more things to look out for, and I’ll add them as they come to mind.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Coenen
Gentlemen:
Based upon my limited knowledge of companies doing full restorations, I would suggest the following before spending 10,000, 20,000 or even 50,000.
Get monthly (preferably weekly) reports on the status of the work being done. These monthly/weekly reports should include some form of time sheets that tells how much work was done that week or month. The shop rate is usually posted on the wall. When I requested some verification of their actions, the owner told me no one had ever questioned his billing and he kept few records of what work was performed. If they are are a professional, they will not have mis-matched scraps of paper with literal scribbled entrys.
If a substantial purchase or service is made, ask for copies of those receipts from the source for that part or that sub-contracted service. One shop told me, they put a partial used frame under the front of one of my cars. Some where’s in the front before the frame rails go out to full width. They never could tell me where it was seamed. When I asked if they used a sleeve; the owner could not remember for sure. If he had someone else in his shop perform that work, I would think that person would know the answer. Nobody knew nothing and the owner never even made an effort to check with his workers.
Do not give them one third of the estimated cost up front. They have your car and that is plenty of security. They may take much longer to begin the work. If they know payment is due, when services are rendered you car may be finished sooner. If their cash flow is that constrained, find another shop.
Do not pay them the final payment, if they do not return all the parts agreed upon in advance. Or they do not return new parts that were never installed.
Do not agree to pay for an item or service valued at $4,680.00 if the owner states he forgot to bill you for this from FOUR YEARS ago. And when you ask them for verification and they have nothing – do not pay them as I did.
Get a definitive time line when the car should be finished. I told one shop that I wanted a nice NCRS type restoration but would never have the car actually formally judged by NCRS. Consequently, my car was delayed for the Bloomington entrants, then it was the Cypress Garden entrants, then the Carlisle entrants, etc., etc. Everyone else had priority because they were entered in an event.
I’m sure there are more things to look out for, and I’ll add them as they come to mind.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Coenen
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