COSTS & ROMS
Restoration Costs Made Simple
A common sense guide to understanding what your project really requires—before you spend a dime.
You love your classic. You want to do it right. But the costs? They feel like a mystery.
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They're not. Not here.
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This page walks you through exactly how we think about pricing, planning, and partnership. No jargon. No pressure. Just common sense.
THE PROBLEM​
Why It's Confusing Everywhere Else
Here's What Most Shops Won't Tell You
THE OTHER GUYS
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Flat-rate manuals. Book time. "Done by Friday." Big promises. Big deposits. "Trust us."
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THE REALITY
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Classics don't follow books. We find rust on day one. We call. We adjust. We ask for 20 minutes to explain ROM.
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You're not confused. The industry is confusing. We're here to unconfused it.
OUR SOLUTIONS
ROM: The Common Sense Way to Plan
Rough Order of Magnitude. It's not a number. It's a range. And it's how we protect your budget.
BEST CASE WORST CASE
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$40K $80K $120K
Your project will land somewhere in this range.
We refine it together as we go.
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ROM is not a promise. It's a playground.
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We give you the field. You tell us where you want to play.
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As we open the car, the range narrows. You're never surprised.
"We don't know everything on day one. Neither do you. ROM gives us room to discover together.
THE TEN QUESTIONS
ROM (ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE)
SHOP RATE
You're paying for:
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35+ years of experience
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Specialists who love what you love
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No flat-rate games. No surprise upcharges.
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Parts sourcing that would make a detective proud.
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"You can pay less somewhere else. You'll probably pay more later. We'd rather be transparent now."
REPAIR VS. RESTORATION
Not Every Project Needs Everything
Here's what different levels of work typically require.
REPAIR & MAINTENANCE
[2–40 hours] [$500–$7K]
Just make it safe. Make it reliable. Make it fun. RESTOMOD
UPGRADES
[40–200 hours] [$8K–$35K]
Modern performance. Classic soul. The best of both.
SELECTIVE RESTORATION
[200–800 hours] [$30K–$80K]
Targeted systems. Cosmetic renewal. The sweet spot.
FULL FRAME-OFF
[1,000–3,000+ hours] [$100K–$300K+] Concours dreams. Multi-year journeys. Investment-grade results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why can't you just give me a number over the phone?
Because we haven't seen the car. A 1967 Mustang that "runs great" could need a carburetor adjustment or a full engine rebuild. We don't guess. We inspect.
What if I only want a small repair?
Small repairs are handled differently. If you need brake work or a tune-up, we can provide a fixed number after a brief inspection. ROM is primarily for larger restoration and restomod projects.
Do you charge for the ROM consultation?
No. The initial conversation and ROM development are complimentary. If you proceed to a full teardown and detailed scope, we will discuss a deposit that applies to future work.
What if my budget is limited?
We specialize in phased projects. You don't have to do it all at once. Year one: mechanicals. Year two: paint. Year three: interior. We help you roadmap your vision over time.
Do you use aftermarket parts?
When appropriate, yes. We also source NOS, OEM, and high-quality reproduction parts. We recommend what fits your goals and budget.
What forms of payment do you accept?
All major credit cards, cash, certified checks, and financing via approved partners.
