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I hear it time and time again. The same old story. I heard it twice this week. I'm sure you've all heard it too.
What am I talking about, you ask? Car owner takes their classic to a shop for restoration, gives lots of money up front to get started, years go by and it's in pieces, no end in sight, and then they have their hands out wanting more. Or worse yet they are MIA along with pieces of the car or the car itself.
Avoiding this disaster is the key to a happy restoration. A few tips could keep this from happening to you.
1) Ask several car owners for recommendations. Pick ones that are similar quality of what you are looking for in a restoration.
2) Visit these shops several time across months. Look for cars that haven't moved in awhile, especially those in the back. Ask why?
3) Are they doing insurance work, especially on newer vehicles? If so, that means they will never get around to your vehicle. Insurance work pays better and quicker.
4) Get an ballpark estimate, or a worse case scenario, and a timeline. What you expect to happen and when. If it cannot be met, then there better be a good explanation. Get it in writing, it'll help you in court.
5) Does the shop give detailed monthly updates in writing? If not, request it. If they refuse go someplace else.
6) Hold back money. Give what is necessary for work done and parts purchased before moving to the next allotment of money.
This is supposed to be an enjoyable process and it is with the right restoration shop. You want to have happy memories while driving your classic and not be reminded of a nightmare. Choose right the first time.
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