Dilemma - advice needed

[Cod_Almighty]

My camper is in for restoration at the moment and we are having a little trouble with the bloke who's restoring it and want a little advice.

In Dec 09, we agreed on a price on what needs doing, which was a full body restoration and paint job, as well as an engine overhaul, pop top rebuilding and other little bits. I have seen the work he has done on previous projects which included my dad's bus. It was due to be finished in June 10.

Now this is where my problem is, he still has my camper and the work still isn't finished and he's not going to be finished soon. He say's that he has massively underestimated the job and it should have been 2k more than originally quoted. He says that he doesn't want any more money off me as it was his fault that the quote was incorrect and not mine. But it's going to be another couple of months before it's ready.

We need to get the camper back for the end of the month as it is going to be used for a wedding, so how do we proceed?

The jobs that are outstanding are as follows:
*Engine bay painting and engine putting back in
*Pop needs a final coat of white paint and putting back on
*Final layer lacquer needs applying.

How many hours work will this take if I took to another garage?
Or is there anyone in the Lincoln area willing to take the jobs on, for a fee?
Or does anyone has any recommendations of garages in the Lincoln/Grimsby area?

I don't want to go to trading standards, because I genuinely believe he has sold himself short and is struggling to make up the costs.

What to do, what to do?

Over to you guys...

 

[sparkywig]

I think you're lucky that he's told what you the situation is.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

The guy has been honest with you, you're happy with the standard of work and he isn't asking for any more cash - I'd be tempted to leave it with him so he can finish the job he started!
I realise you've planned on having the van for a wedding - but is there an alternative?

Seems like the sort of guy I'd be happy to leave my van with...

 

[Loxy]

Do you have anything in writing that states the work to be performed and the timescales to be met?
One part of me wants to agree with j&m above, but the other part tells me that if agreement was made then the garage should honour it & that includes the timescales.
Just because we are laid back VW owners doesn't mean you should have to accept whatever you get from someone supplying a service.

 

[Cod_Almighty]

Thanks for your replies.

Everything was only agreed verbally and nothing in writing.

He's constantly failed to meet deadlines and is a year and half acceptable or a restoration?

It's not just the My father in laws wedding with have already booked two holidays in May and Aug.

 

[mattd1984]

Tricky situation your in. I think i would explain the importance of having the van back by a certain date. Be firm with the guy about the date and explain that if its not done by then you will have to have it back in whatever state its in. Or you could offer him more money to finish the job hitting your deadline.

 

[Doris]

I'd stick with it mate. Restos nearly ALWAYS cost more & take longer.Similar situation I'm in,I was told 3 months,2 years later still not finished = frustrated is not the word!!! :evil:

He's not that far off finished to be honest mate,I'd just grin & bear it. If you pull it out now you'll have to start again with another garage & pay for it.Also If I were another garage, I wouldn't guarantee the paintwork as I would not know what I'd be spraying over so you then have a chioce,pay & walk away without come back or have the cost of the new garage starting over.The restorer I used insisted on going back to bare metal even though I had bought some panels already in primer.

If it was at the beginning mate, I'd consider pulling it but at this late stage,as frustrating as it is, I wouldn't. Also as has been said,He's been good enough to honour the quote,most garages have a proviso that the quote could go up if more work is revealed.I'd rather have to wait than have a quick job just to get you off his back. all my opinion,hth

 

[crede999]

why not compriomise and offer to help out no offence intended but you could do the crap jobs make the brews rubbing down dcleaning etc etc anything to speed up the process , and you can keep an eye on whats happening to your bus (and him) :msn4: plus youll get time to bond with your bus and learn some new skills and things along the way

*Engine bay painting and engine putting back in............................3 days max
*Pop needs a final coat of white paint and putting back on..............2/3 days
*Final layer lacquer needs applying...............................................2 days
.................................................................................................= 8 days max not couple of months


He say's that he has massively underestimated the job and it should have been 2k more than originally quoted. ............ hes the restorer he knows whats involved :roll:


if hes not up for that id move it ,family and booked holidays are more important

i feel for you dude ive been there a few times but its your bus and your hard earned money at the end of the day

hope you get sorted

chris

 

[AGC]

At least he hasnt estimated low to get the job then hiked the price up when he has you by the balls. Even so I think I would be RIGHT on his case if it were my bus and he was so over his time estimate :evil: :evil:....you can be sure that if his other clients have shouted loudest then they have jumped the queue in front of you... go sort him out tiger :mrgreen:

 

[67westy]

Hi John,

Really interested to hear this as I've booked our van in at the same place for October this year. I've been in and seen the work on your van a few times, looks to be a good quality job from what I've seen and this along with seeing some of the work on your dads van is what persuaded me to book in there.

I wont mention any names but from all the chats I've had with him he's seemed really fair but obviously that's only chat. Let us know how it turns out and if there's anything I can do to help then give me a shout.

Adam

 

[mattp]

I have done loads of restos, and in construction (my current job) this is just the norm.

Problem is you want a fixed price, the garage could quote you an all risk figure or most likely as this would scare you so quote what they might be able to do it for and hope for the best.

Most good restorers don't make lots of money as there is almost always more work required than you think. For your reference I know of no one in the resto trade that will quote a maximun fixed price without you paying the risk.

From your reply (and you haven't said what work exactly for what costs) it sounds like the garage are trying to do the right thing. What they may be is out of cash and need a few jobs rolling in to fund the business, yours sits in a corner as they need work to keep going. They may well even be losing cash on your van so need work and will just finish as and when they can.

Doesn't sound bad BUT what have they done and how much??????

 

[froggy]

Why not ask him how much to either get it finish to a set deadline OR ask him to get it to a drive-able state and complete the rest yourself.
Is having the engine bay pristine going to stop a family wedding or holiday? Poptop needs final coating? Can the laquer not be applied at a later date?
I'd certainly be asking myself these questions and then make the right decision for you

 

[Cod_Almighty]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

The work which was agreed to completed is as follows:
*Full body restoration, which included stripping down to he metal and straightening all the panels.
*Paint job Pearlescent green bottom and pearl white on top, all white inside.
*Rebuild the pop top as it was failing apart the actual roof not the canvas.
*Change al locks s that they use one key.
*Gear box overhaul.
*Fix the heating system as pipes were missing.

I've paid him £7500 in full.

 

[r73]

can you ask him to put a value to the work that's outstanding and if its reasonable get the money off him and either offer it back as an incentive in stages as the work is done or go elsewhere?

 

[bluenose]

all I'd say is every job I do takes three times longer than I planned because i come across something extra so can see how it would easily run over (i'm not a professional restorer though) He probably gets taken off doing your van to do smaller jobs for customers which he would have to do to keep the place ticking over and not lose business.

I think paying in full was a mistake though, I'd have extpected to only pay for parts up front and labour in installments as work was completed...

 

[monkeyvanwestybike]

all I'd say is every job I do takes three times longer than I planned because i come across something extra so can see how it would easily run over (i'm not a professional restorer though) He probably gets taken off doing your van to do smaller jobs for customers which he would have to do to keep the place ticking over and not lose business.

I think paying in full was a mistake though, I'd have extpected to only pay for parts up front and labour in installments as work was completed...

I agree once hes had the money up front the incentive has gone from the job,
and now he will drag his heels :roll:

 

[mattp]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

The work which was agreed to completed is as follows:
*Full body restoration, which included stripping down to he metal and straightening all the panels.
*Paint job Pearlescent green bottom and pearl white on top, all white inside.
*Rebuild the pop top as it was failing apart the actual roof not the canvas.
*Change al locks s that they use one key.
*Gear box overhaul.
*Fix the heating system as pipes were missing.

I've paid him £7500 in full.

So with no further details maybe.............

£2500*Full body restoration, which included stripping down to he metal and straightening all the panels.
£3500*Paint job Pearlescent green bottom and pearl white on top, all white inside.
£350*Rebuild the pop top as it was failing apart the actual roof not the canvas.
£150*Change al locks s that they use one key.
£400*Gear box overhaul.
£100*Fix the heating system as pipes were missing.

**strip, refit parts***£500

Or look at it this way, labour £30/hr 80/20 labour/parts split

so your £7500 = £1500 parts / paint and £6000 labour. £6000 labour at £30/hr = £200hrs = 5 weeks

A five week resto would be pretty quick............

Doesn't seem so bad

 

[type2tattoo]

I am in a vaguely similar situation but didnt pay much upfront. My friend has lost interest really and it doesn't matter how much money I throw at him its not going to beat the queue so I have organised a VW specialist friend to complete it. I want it back on the road and don't care what it costs!

Saying that its going to be hard to raise the cash but it won't hurt to not eat for a few weeks :?

Its a really difficult situation you are in and I sympathise, especially as its so close. I would pay him whatever it takes to get it back on the road.

Good Luck

 

[Loxy]

I may be missing the point ( I've never paid for a resto) but if the guy promised something for a price then that what needs doing for the price, I don't understand why he should get extra time or money to complete it....
It's no excuse to say that all restos end up costing more. That is a poor quote in the first place in my book.

 

[AGC]

Loxy, I couldnt agree more...... for F*** sake dont pay him any more money.... he is deffinatley dragging his feet because you have paid up front.... He doesnt want or cant be bothered to finish the job because there is nothing in it for him now.. Hearing that you have paid up front has put a whole new twist on the situation... The chances of him giving you money back to get the work completed elsewhere is nil. Why dont you go to see him with 67westy and let him know that he will lose 67westys job if he doesnt pull his finger out and finish your job by, say, 2 weeks time. then visit him everyday to keep his mind focused (and to be sure he isnt "rushing" your work.) Good luck.... it could easily happen to anyone so hope its sorted to YOUR satisfaction soon.