11/17/2025
So , reading a post last week sparked me to make this post.A person took it upon himself to have a vehicle restored by a shop. Thousands were spent on labour, as we all know it’s a lot of labour to bring back vehicles to former glory. I guess he felt it was a rare enough of a bird that when completed it would be worth the value of investment.
Over the years , I’ve seen people pour hundreds of thousands into a vehicle and at the end of the day it being worth 1/4 or less of the restoration. And some are happy with that perhaps for sentimental reasons or money is no object. Now I get that not all appraisal outfits are the same , they all work off a similar platform in determining values and backing up their findings with proof. Insurance companies always want proof, and research of market sales etc. it’s not the appraisers fault that your vehicle falls short of value just cause you had to pay a shop to do the work. It is up to you , before you take on a project that you’re concerned about value on ,when it’s completed that the money you spent will be recouped if that’s the case.Most shops are in the business to make money and keep the doors open and lights on, and not ask to many questions about this very matter. Work is work right . One has to take a sensible approach, ask the questions , and do the math. Always have a final budget make that clear to the shop, let them know that halfway through the job there is no more money before you start. Taking control of your project is what should always be done , do the homework ask the questions , do your own market analysis and be informed before you dive in and become disappointed.Don’t worry the shop will either choose to do it or not. There is no halfway on a restoration it takes what it takes ,no matter make model or size. It is your responsibility to do your due diligence, it is also a good idea if your project is going to take a while and the investment into it is substantial to have a appraisal done on it at the 1/2 or 3/4 finished mark at the shop incase it is lost in a unfortunate incident,don’t rely on the shops insurance company to pay you out anything close to what it possibly was worth at the unfinished point.I also recommend refreshing an appraisal every couple years to ensure accuracy as the market is that volatile. Keeping up on this ensures it’s worth incase of loss. I hope this is helpful information .
Ray
