The Cost Of new Bodywork

4k is about right. Just seen the van tonight and it looks good. To be honest I reckon its a high price but then, I cant weld and don't have the facilities to do a big job on the van. In my area there doesn't seem to be any specialist anymore and my experience is that they tend to take the p*** anyway.

The bus does look well and its a first class job.

She returns at the weekend and I then can start the engine reinstall.

I am interested with all the comments made, particularly Bluething, its ok if you have the welding skills and the facilities to do body repairs yourself, I don't so I have had to pay the man. Mechanical things I can do.

 

Hope its good and gild plated at those prices ouch saying that a friend of ours had a exhaust fitted at the local garage and they charged them 130 quid just to fit it I was shocked to say the least me too in wrong job

 

Hooooooooly sh*t. I knew this sort of work wasnt cheap, but never knew it was that high.
when I started my resto I bought a welder for £200 and i've done everything myself. im glad i went that route now, must have saved myself loads!

 

Yep certainly is good if you have the equipment and skills, hey ho, it is also expensive in Leamington for everything, building work, cars etc. Need to bear in mind everyone needs to make a living, and capital equipment like spray booths cost money to run, also, a certain vw specialist I have used before charges £45 an hour labour (probably more this year). At least I can do the mechanical stuff!

 

I think I saw a welding course at my local college...At those prices I'd never have my van looking good.

 

it goes to show its well worth learning. i had never touched a welder before i started. i read some stuff on the net, then just experimented on various bits of metal..
first thing i welded was the under-cab splash pan. looks ugly as fook but it wont be seen. after a few bits and bobs here and there (without blowing my own trumpet) im pretty good at it. im now welding on rear corners, sliding door repairs, jacking points, rear arch repairs.

the downside of course... if everyone could do it themselves alot of businesses would go bust. :/

 

Seriously £300 for doing a battery tray is not someone ripping you off, when you consider the outside quarter would need filling and painting.

I'll defend bodywork guys as many people seem to think they should be expected to work for £1 an hour on the street, without using electricity or any materials.

 

I have welded before many years ago, I wouldn't trust myself to get a rear corner true though.

I have saved money getting the engine out and cleaning that up and replacing the clutch, I think it is a fact that if you don't have the space to work indoors you have to pay the body man, I knew getting one of these vans that it wouldn't be cheap to keep it going, I always say to anyone thinking about buying, you need deep pockets.