Realistic build cost

[Mick Mc]

Who took the picture?

Mick

[ironworks]

You should be able to tell by the picture quality it was taken with a sweet NIKON camera and the downward angle of the picture should tell you the guy is pretty tall. So maybe a tall and sunburnt guy from California.

[Paladin]

Quality is definitely an important issue. Everyone wants a good job done fast and cheap, but you can only have two of the three. If its good and cheap, it won't be fast. If its fast and cheap, it won't be good. If its good and fast, it won't be cheap. Personally I like small shops with maybe two or three guys = less overhead. My builder/fabricator Snow's Hot Rods was 2 guys. My paint/body one guy. My interior Diamond Trim was 3 guys. In every case I would have to say, there is no substitute for experience. These guys were all older, and dare I say it, a dying breed. Each one was more artist than businessman, and when they get a project that can showcase their skills you can see the pride in their work. When you are working with a guy for 2 or three years on a project you get to know them, hopefully become friends. You'll need them later when something breaks!!!!

[LL CUSTOM]

Paladin
I agree with everything you said includeing about becomeing friends with customer's. The only down fall with becomeing friends with the customer, It is harder to tell them that the budget and the bill just went out the window. I have realy enjoyed posting this tread and the reponse from everyone it has been very informative and I intend to print it off to show future customer's because I think it will help to show them what need's to be expected. Everybody have a great day
Later Larry www.llcustomperformance.com

[ron w]

one thing I always told my builder is if you have to put in 14 to 18 hours days to meet a deadline don't If we can't make it there working normal hours and eating dinner with your family at night we will just rethink our deadline instead - my friend just killed his builder to go to the salt flats this week- I called to tell him I arrange it with the salt flats to run the race next year I just don't believe 5 or more guys on a car works to produce a great driving car

[LL CUSTOM]

Originally Posted by ron w

one thing I always told my builder is if you have to put in 14 to 18 hours days to meet a deadline don't If we can't make it there working normal hours and eating dinner with your family at night we will just rethink our deadline instead - my friend just killed his builder to go to the salt flats this week- I called to tell him I arrange it with the salt flats to run the race next year I just don't believe 5 or more guys on a car works to produce a great driving car

Wish I had more customer's who where understanding like that. I tend to find the customer's who want it done yesterday but inturn add something new every other day. But we are working to change that, With the sale of the big 10,000 ft shop, going back to the 4000 ft shop next to my house and cutting back to just me and my main guy Rich, we will only take on one customer car at a time. When that one is finshed ,we will move on to the next one. The rest of the time we will consentrate on the stack of personel prodject car's I have aquired over the year's and put them up for sale. I think getting back to my root's and designing and building my own concept's will be much more enjoyable. have a great day everyone
Later Larry www.llcustomperformance.com

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by ron w

one thing I always told my builder is if you have to put in 14 to 18 hours days to meet a deadline don't If we can't make it there working normal hours and eating dinner with your family at night we will just rethink our deadline instead - my friend just killed his builder to go to the salt flats this week- I called to tell him I arrange it with the salt flats to run the race next year I just don't believe 5 or more guys on a car works to produce a great driving car

I agree 100% Ron, I think the quality of the car suffers. It is funny how after the big event that the car was rushed to build for. It usually winds up back in the builders shop for longer then the bulder had it before the event fixing all the bugs and issues that could maybe have been delt with had they slowed down on the build. Shot look in the back ground of American Hot Rod, Those cars never leave.

[Garage Dog 65]

Hi Guys,

I know for the home builder we wouldn't have access to or experience with the phases of a project, the types of work required in each phase and a reasonable work hour and/or parts costs for a project. I found a spreadsheet from another persons project that did a decent job of identifying all the areas involved. I modified it and have been using it for my project. How do you pros do it ? Do you guys have or share some type of standardize form or spreadsheet, do some of the component/materials manufactures provide some of that stuff - or does everyone just come up with their own deal ?? I can dump the actual costs from my spreadsheet and share that here - and it sounds like Marty has a spreadsheet going for his truck. That might help the young guy home builder - or - someone looking to build a bigger project with shops likes those here at Lat-G.

Jim

[nvawgn]

would be great if people can post their cars, i don't visit to frequently so i have no idea which cars and prices you are refering too, thanks...

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by Garage Dog 65

Hi Guys,

I know for the home builder we wouldn't have access to or experience with the phases of a project, the types of work required in each phase and a reasonable work hour and/or parts costs for a project. I found a spreadsheet from another persons project that did a decent job of identifying all the areas involved. I modified it and have been using it for my project. How do you pros do it ? Do you guys have or share some type of standardize form or spreadsheet, do some of the component/materials manufactures provide some of that stuff - or does everyone just come up with their own deal ?? I can dump the actual costs from my spreadsheet and share that here - and it sounds like Marty has a spreadsheet going for his truck. That might help the young guy home builder - or - someone looking to build a bigger project with shops likes those here at Lat-G.

Jim

If you guys could post the sreadsheets it would be great. They are great for "whatifs". I am starting one for our project, but having an example would be very helpful.