Just wondering what is a reasonable price for me to pay for this moderate damage job:

[vxberlina123]

hey people, about a year ago my 2000 VX Berlina got side swiped (hit and run) while i was sleeping parked out the front of the house. The damage: FR quarter panel, FR door, BR door = wrecked. Back quarter is fine though thank god.

About 2 months ago i bought 4 new doors and a front right quarter panel the right colour and everything (dont need 2 doors but they were cheap if i got all 4. $270 for the whole lot) so i was lucky there. The job was quoted at around $1800 with all new doors and panel.

I was thinking about doing it all myself, but i need to replace the door trims, change the manual windows to electric windows, change the locks, a lot of screwing around and im not that experienced. I need to know how much you think it will cost, and let me know the hours involved in all the electrical, mechanical etc. will be reallly appreciated, just so i know whether their trying to rip me off with the quote.

thanks in advance!

tyler.

[graham7773]

probably looking at 8-12 hours for the job, @$90 and up per hour so rough estimate would be $700+ but could be more depending on how experienced the worker is. The panel shops work like this, r/r each door, r/r front panel, r/r each door trim r/r door mechanisms plus fit and connect eletrics. If you have a good bank manager, no worries. Oh, I forgot to mention, if the pillar is out of position, all bets are off as the car has to be put on a jig to get it back straight. around $500

[v6vt]

our shop just has set times for different things(unless the car is a bit out of the ordinary and requires extras) and normally would just charge for a complete door shell changover... and then fitment... i would also say at least 8hrs-10hrs but nowhere near $90 an hour over here, closer to $60. i certainly wouldnt be paying a grand for this...
good luck

jake

[graham7773]

v6vt, where are you, I can't get labour rates under the $90 I mentioned in my previous post and mechanics rates are worse if you go to dealers, well over $100 per hour, Lubemobile $110

[v6vt]

nz... we dont charge out our arses... but then again we do get paid less, guess thats why its cheaper to live here. so i guess my post is irrelevant

[NVMYVT]

nz... we dont charge out our arses... but then again we do get paid less, guess thats why its cheaper to live here. so i guess my post is irrelevant

sorry to the OP for interveening with no experience on the matter,,,,,,, but thats gold ^^^^^^

[graham7773]

v6vt, not irrelevant, just explains why I am hearing about a few Aussies moving to nz. Don't come here if you cant do the majority of the work on your own car. eg EF Falcon head gasket, quotes from $600 to $1900. INSANE! I can buy a really nice EF for around $1500.

[Langas]

Do it yourself Everything you need to know is here on the forums and if you know how to use a ratchet you'll be fine!

Just remember "Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty"

[v6vt]

wiring looms etc and hinge pins can be a little much for someone who doesnt know what they are doing tho man, also trim clips etc can be confusing/get broken/etc if you dont know how they come apart or where they are, it normally takes one or two goes to get the idea iguess but if your confident , do the research, take your time and go for it...
also adjusting commie doors can be a little difficult for a newbie if the dont line up straight away. and window tracks, regulators arent as easy as a toyota corolla

[bandit10]

op.. where are you located..?? to change 2 doors over and fit a new front guard is pretty simple..

[Fr3ak+--]

the hardest thing will be the door regs and putting the doors on.. the rest will be a peice of cake.. especially the gaurd.. so start there and work your way back

[trav_304]

If the centre pillar is not pushed in do it ur self. Its not extremely hard just research how to take it apart ect. Get the right tools. Reckon you will need ratchet and sockets, screw driver, drill and drill bit to drill rivets out of the window regulators, pop rivets and rivet gun, anti theft bits for the door catch and pair of vice grips or long pliers for the door pins. Someone else will also be needed to help u get the doors on and off. probly take you about 1 to 2 days to do it. Just take ur time observe how it came apart and you will have it done in no time. If the centre pillar is pushed in then you will have to take it to a panel shop. That will cost a bit.