Body rust repair and dents. Looking for recent labor charges

Anyone on here have any recent collision or restoration work done? Were hourly rates quoted for the work? I realize you have to find someone in the business that will actually work on the car. Most are so busy they do mainly insurance work. I need some current pricing, and most discussions on here are dated. All advice greatly appreciated.

Ronald,
I currently have a 63 FHC undergoing a bare metal repaint and minor bodywork. I am located in the Los Angeles area and the body shop labor rate is $82 per hour plus supplies.
Best wishes, Jim Fleetwood

Jim, thanks so much, and you being in California it is a good estimate as I realize how much higher the labor costs are out there. I was thinking to budget $100 an hour to be on the safe side. I am trying to decide whether to fix the car or just sell it. My engine needs to be rebuilt too. I am advised that a ‘driver quality’ car in my series 1.5 could cost about $60,000, so maybe a better car would be the wisest choice. Not looking as an investment, but another toy to play with.

For recent work done in AZ on an older non-Jaguar car by a high end hot rod shop:

Body labor 85
Paint labor 75
Mechanical labor 110
Frame labor 70

It was not a hot rod… but that shop was the only one that would work on it.

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All in all, those are pretty reasonable rates.

Further to David’s point, were I in business, I would be charging at least $125 per hour.

You just gave me an idea: I think I’m gonna pull into the local Christian Brothers, and ask if they work on it… The jeep!

Indeed they are. When you look at the rates being charged by the “high level” restoration shops as witnessed by the bundles of receipts folks show in the photo galleries on BaT, $150-$200+ per hour is quite common.

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Local jaguar restoration shop charges $128/hour.

Jay

Let’s see; at 100 an hour for a thousand hours comes to…Enough said.

My lowly VW being regarded by a Lambo and Ferrari…

I was lucky these guys would take me in… maybe it was a slow week.

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Nice, what year?

It’s an 84 (Wasserboxer).

Doesn’t that lowly to me

Classic Jaguar (Team CJ) in Austin: About us | Team CJ

$175 and $200 per hour

In January 2022 the Little Rock Mercedes dealer was charging $160/hr. for mechanical work. It may be more today.

My insurance company estimated $2,800 to fix two tiny dimples on the bonnet caused by jacking the car in the wrong spot. That included removing the bumpers and paint.

Hi there,

Where in La are you? and who are you using please for engine work? thx alot I am in Woodland Hills.

Hey Jim, if you’re happy with your body guy, please share! (Also in Woodland Hills!)

A bit dated, but I paid $85/hr for extensive bodywork on my car in the second half of 2020 at a well-known Jag specialist in eastern PA.

labour rates can be a bit deceptive, in terms of insurance work there is usually a flat rate they pay for refinishing panels, replacing panels etc. so you can get a good idea what the final cost will be. because of the nature of restorations however what takes an experienced restoration shop 300 hours to do may take another shop 400 hours to do. so getting a cheaper door rate doesn,t always apply. i would just ask around and try to go to a shop that has good references. i am retired from the autobody industry now but was in it from 1975 till a few years ago as a technician and also a shop owner

The insurance co paid $100. hr for labor to fix a scratch on the door of my rental car in Oakland. Local rate is about $45/hr. 2 years ago.