When I had my front clip redone the right way, I asked for an estimate. Answer was "$75/hour". I pushed for a rough idea of total cost, response was "$75/hour". I pushed once more for a ballpark figure, the answer was "$75/hour".
I learned my lesson. Good builders don't tease you with lowball numbers and then bang you on the other end. They put in the time to do the job right and then charge you accordingly. It's painful, but so is finding out that the job cost double or triple the estimate. Only the "up front estimate" approach can lead to hard feelings.
That's why I make and sell parts for a living and build cars for fun.
