OK I know it's tough but here goes.. I've thought long and hard about this and have decided that the inner and outer wheelhousings are too important to get "Perfect" to try and tackle myself.. If something is off then my 1/4's etc will be WAY off! And I don't want that to happen. So I asked the local Resto guy (who does exquisite work) if he could do the right and left sides for me.. He can and will, and quoted me the super special you worked on my computer and website price of 750 bucks.. Am I being taken to the cleaners or is this a fair price? Mind you he first quoted 1050.00 for the job (He brought down the price after I came too http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif ) what do you guys think? Do it myself or let him do it??

If he's going to weld them in and fit your quarter panel and weld them on to it's not to bad cause there's alot of time involved in doing this kind of work also to include the years of experience he must have $$ to do this kind of work. You must get into detail just exactly what hes going to do for this exchange of work. Is 750 of computer work hard for you. Go talk t5o him more about it.

Normie, if your in doubt, let him do the work. Tell him either it's done right or you'll look elsewhere. Try not to **** him off. 750$ aint to bad of a price. There is alot work involved doing it right. You could even ask if you could help or watch just to get the added experience. That's how I've taught some buddies how to do their own painting on cars. And chances are, if he won't let you at least watch, then he probably aint worth a sh&^.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Is the car getting full quarters?

RandyB..

The car is getting FULL Quarters, However, I will be doing that work.. The only work my guy is going to be doing is the inner and outer wheelhousings on both sides.. Remove, clean, and weld in the new panels.. I know he will allow me to be there when the work is preformed. and I know they will get done right! I want to make sure my foundation is correct so everything built onto it goes just as well. Thanks for the input.. 750 still a good price for the job?

That's about a days work, eight hours. I wish I could make that kind of money! You think it sounds high to me?
You sound pretty handy Norm. I think you can handle it. Install the new wheel housings first and just tack them in. 2-3 spot welds per panel. Put your 1/4's on. These are the critical panels. Also, when hanging both 1/4's at the same time, bolt up your trunk lid to ensure a proper fit around it. That's the toughest fit on Chevelles and cars with trunks in general when hanging 1/4's.
After you're done with the 1/4's, then concentrate the wheel well housings and inner bracing. Yeah, it's tougher that way, but, your outer panels will look great and count the most. just my $.02 worth.

I agree with Jimmie P, $750 seems like a lot for this work. I was able to straighten the damage on my elky's but it didn't look like it would have been a big deal to replace them. If you can hang a quarter you can surely do the wheelhouses.

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Elcaminos are special!

I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford


work in progress
Big James Elky(AKA Ol Paint) (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Big%20James4XL-Ol%20Paint1.jpg)
www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/workgoeson1.jpg)

Normie, I had a friend work on my elky. He put on a roof, both quarters, both outer wheel wells, patched front fenders, and primed the whole car. This also included the disassembly. He did all this for $600. Since then I have had people tell me he does poor work. Now I'm really worried. I'm going to have to take it somewhere else and have them strip it just to make sure it's right. The point is, you get what you pay for. Friends are friends, and money is money. I would get other estimates just to be safe. If he's in line with the rest, then ok. This is how he makes his living, so he's not going to do it to cheap. Well that's my opinion. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

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http://72sselcamino1.tripod.com/calscaminos/

Normie, If this body guy is really good, that alone is worth its weight in gold. Really good bodymen are hard to come by.

I just replace the outter portion of my wheel housing, and it was not an easy task.

This job is very time consuming and that is a big part of the price.
There are some really good bodymen that visit this site and they can give you some good advice on actual cost but this may vary some what depending on where you are located.

Chuck

Gentlemen,
Alot of you forget that Normie, as I do, lives in New Jersey. Prices are ALOT higher here than in Illinois or Ohio or wherever. I had a friend come out here from Ohio a couple of weeks ago and couldn't believe how different things were and how high prices were. Plus, if this guy is going to spend a day or so doing Normie's car, he could have been doing some other job, or jobs, maybe for more money. If he's good, and he'll let you watch, let him do it.

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MalibuJerry350
TC Member #1279
Original owner '70 Chevelle.
551,000+ miles on car.
Hey, if it's got wheels, DRIVE IT!
My Chevelle: http://hometown.aol.com/erie614/myhomepage/index.html

A good body man is hard to come by, I say this in defence of my self. I do this every day of the week. I love to work on old cars to bring back the dead but it isn't cheap. I can put the wheel houses on your car but it would take more than one day HA! This stuff takes time and experience. Fit the quarters on off on off on off Drill weld Gring Prime seal prime there's alot of work to that.

HUMMMMM $750= $35.00 flat rate = 20.3 hr labor. Seems hight to me !!!!!!
Now thats a PA rate mybe across the river closer to the BIG APPLE hight ?



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Wayne
ACES 1556
TCG 186
So many Mustangs
So Little Time

Most body guys I know in the Central Jersey area quote anywhere from 55 to 70 dollars per hour. Especially on an old car. Never know what you'll get into. In the mid 80's I had a guy change both quarters and outer wheelwells on my Chevelle and the labor was 750 bucks per side back then! I supplied the parts.

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MalibuJerry350
TC Member #1279
Original owner '70 Chevelle.
551,000+ miles on car.
Hey, if it's got wheels, DRIVE IT!
My Chevelle: http://hometown.aol.com/erie614/myhomepage/index.html

This guy charges an hourly fee of 50 or 55 an hour.. I really don't know how long the job will take? However I do know the guy does serious work! The cars and trucks he has coming out of his shop are spectacular to say the least. I am definately going to let him do the work.. Since I spent a few hours on one of his computers friday night, and after moving one today he has had a few issues with his shop PC so there will be a few more hours on monday http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif So I am sure he'll work on the price even more for me! He even mentioned something about free (jokingly) I just asked him not too hit my wallet too hard.. So we'll see what happens! Honestly for me I don't think I could do that work in a day nor a weekend.. So it'll be worth the cash he charges.. But seriously thanks alot guys.. Your information has definately helped me make the decision.. If it weren't for your replys I woulda taken it to a guy that quoted me 4000k to do the entire back end.. But I stood back and looked at his work.. Thats when I decided I couldn't do any worse for alot cheaper http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif