My body man is billing me for 22hrs per side to remove and install new rear quarters. The work is quality and there was quite abit they had to deal with from the past hack body man. Just wondering how this compares to others.

 

That does not sound far off assuming they have to do outer wheelhouses and trunk drop-off panels at the same time (most likely if the quarters are rusted). If his sourly rate is $50 or so, then $1000 per side is reasonable. I did my own quarters thinking it was going to be $3-4K just for 1/4's for a body shop plus another $5K to paint the car. I am a total novice - it took me about 35-40 hours each side for 1/4's, outer wheelhouses, trunk drop offs and a couple patches on inner wheelhouse. Luckily, I got them on straight, which is not that easy. I found a great body man with a full shop and paint booth (i.e. not out of his barn) in the rural area 45 mins from me who is going to paint the car and he is cheap and good (hard to find). He said he charges around $400 to $500 labor to do remove and replace each quarter plus the parts, which I think is dirt cheap, but your estimate is probably more the norm.

 

ya, my work did not include wheel wheels and the trunk work, that was billed as seperate. His rate to me is $50 per the hour.

 

I think mine cost that much just to patch!!!

 

I'd say that's a bit high. I'd guess 16 to 18 hrs a side. I'm a body tech by trade and I did them on my car.Had a few things come up that sucked but for just the 1/4s 16 to 18 per side is about right. There more than likely will be unforseen things he should warn you of the possibilities of but if things go smooth from what he expects, he shouldn't charge you for the surprises

 

Ok, I just asked my buddy who has a custom shop in Menahga Minnesota. His labor rate is 50 bucks an hour. He will do them for 6 to 8 hours per side. That's a lot better than I would do them for. He has 3 or 4 cars in magazines and just had a Camaro go through Barrett Jackson for kike 60k. Just a big block 69 Camaro. Cripes. I shouldn't have wasted my own time. He helped me finish mine out but I got the freebie. Jyst to let you know, there's different prices to that stuff.

 

I have a old Mitchell crash book, used by bodyshops for estimating repair costs and it calls for 13.9 hrs to r+r one rear quarter panel. That assumes no other damage.

Henry

 

I thought 20 seemed high.