What's a fair price for this body work?

[ventureforth]

I need a body shop to replace the radiator core support on my MK1 Rabbit diesel.  I got all the parts to do the single round conversion.  I can do all the bolt on stuff myself, of course, but I need the shop to do the core support welding work.

What do you think a fair price would be to have a body shop swap my stock setup for the single round (just labor, no parts, no paint)?

Pretty broad question, I guess, but any sort of ballpark range would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[redneck_vdub]

Every shop has a different labour rate. You'd probably be best to search around your home town.

[GEE-BEE]

If it is already aligned , not more than two hours...

I got the measurements from the Bentley and placed the fenders on to get the correct location.

I did a south african core support and fender's

GB

[ventureforth]

Went to a few places around here and they are quoting around $500.  They're going to do the bolt-on stuff, too (fenders, bumper shocks, cabby bumper), but I can't imagine they are inflating the price that much for an extra half hour of bolting things on.  Does $500 sound high?

[mystery3]

$500 sounds outrageous to me. I'd check craigslist or something to find an out of work welder or one looking for a side job. I don't think it should cost you more than $100-200 max. It's not rocket science, you are doing all the prep and paint right?

[GEE-BEE]

Dont forget to undercoat your fenders

When i did my paint I delivered the truck less, doors, fenders, int, no windows

They painted the doors fender & hood on a flat surface...

I then had it flatbed towed to the Int shop for carpet and pilliars

I had a glass shop install a new windsheild and seal ( cheap )

I installed all new glass and seals from there, $$ vent window seal's 150.00 pair
side glass 87.50 each new
rear slider was from CR LAURENCE

Fun Fun...

GB

[745 turbogreasel]

An hour to do all the unbolting
Another to get the core cut out, welds ground, new core welded in.
Mask, paint, and seamseal
Reinstall front end and align lights
Sounds like shop rate to me.

[ventureforth]

So, $500 sounds reasonable to you, then.  I started widening my search and the prices only seem to want to go up.  One guy that came recommended said $700... $1500 with paint and all.  Yikes!  One guy gave me an option to just weld in new metal to the crunched driver side baffle and get the headlight all straightened out for $150.  I though about it, cause I could keep single squares and go Westy style (if I could find the grill), but it's kind of makeshift and I don't know how I feel about that.  I'm sure I could sell all the single round stuff for a profit, at least break even, and I do like the single squares of the Westy.  What do you all think about the idea of just replacing the crunched portion of the stock core support with new metal?  Is that a sound option?

Thanks.

[745 turbogreasel]

I'd spend the $500 on a nice MIG welder...

[burn_your_money]

I'd spend the $500 on a nice MIG welder...

Yep. Most useful tool in the shop. $500 should get you a welder and a college night course on how to use it

[clbanman]

If all you need is the welding part done and you are confident about positioning and doing all the rest of the work yourself, you could also rent a welder at your local rental shop.  Or find a friend/acquantance that knows how to weld and ask him to help out.  The other thing you could do is check your local paper or yellow pages for small weld shops.   There are often ones that specialize in things like frame repair and they may be cheaper than a full-on body shop.

[theman53]

So, $500 sounds reasonable to you, then.  I started widening my search and the prices only seem to want to go up.  One guy that came recommended said $700... $1500 with paint and all.  Yikes!  One guy gave me an option to just weld in new metal to the crunched driver side baffle and get the headlight all straightened out for $150.  I though about it, cause I could keep single squares and go Westy style (if I could find the grill), but it's kind of makeshift and I don't know how I feel about that.  I'm sure I could sell all the single round stuff for a profit, at least break even, and I do like the single squares of the Westy.  What do you all think about the idea of just replacing the crunched portion of the stock core support with new metal?  Is that a sound option?

Thanks.

This is what I would do, that is straighten out what is there. I have  welder and would probably just make it myself. Unless it is a show car and you had to have it look 100% perfect, but even then I would probably take more time with my welder:D Pics would let us know how bad something is and maybe give a better look to make a decision on. But to me if I had all the peices of a core support separated from the factory and I had to measure and put it together myself 100% I wouldn't pay 500 for someone else to do it. I would buy a welder or find a friend to borrow one. Actually, if you look at the pics in my build thread of all the rust replacement that is exactly what I did:D