What's a fair price for this body work? - Upgrades (non engine related ) - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• What's a fair price for this body work? by ventureforth on 15 May, 2010 23:00
• 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.
• #1 by redneck_vdub on 16 May, 2010 01:04
• Every shop has a different labour rate. You'd probably be best to search around your home town.
• #2 by GEE-BEE on 16 May, 2010 02:08
• 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
• #3 by ventureforth on 16 May, 2010 12:13
• 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?
• #4 by mystery3 on 16 May, 2010 12:53
• $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?
• #5 by GEE-BEE on 16 May, 2010 13:51
• 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
• #6 by 745 turbogreasel on 16 May, 2010 13:52
• 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.
• #7 by ventureforth on 18 May, 2010 21:03
• 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.
• #8 by 745 turbogreasel on 19 May, 2010 03:03
• I'd spend the $500 on a nice MIG welder...
• #9 by burn_your_money on 19 May, 2010 21:56
• Quote from: 745 turbogreasel on 19 May, 2010 03:03

  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
• #10 by clbanman on 20 May, 2010 08:17
• 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.
• #11 by theman53 on 20 May, 2010 08:28
• Quote from: ventureforth on 18 May, 2010 21:03

  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