Excessive paint shop bills- need advice

[76k5blazerr]

Question for the group, I have a 73 K10 at a paint shop currently for an original style two-tone green and white paint job. The truck was for the most part pretty clean before, very minimal cab rust, total of 3 maybe 4 small areas that had to be patched. Also bought a complete brand new AMD bed assembly for it at the recommendation of the shop to save labor hours (they said the old bed wasn’t worth fixing. Painter quoted 8-12k and 6-8 week turnaround. Well it’s now been 5 months and I’m up to 9200$ and just got another 4k bill for “bodywork and panel alignment” bringing the total to 14k and the bed is still bare metal. The cab and front clip are in high build primer supposedly ready for a couple rounds of blocking then sealer and paint. He’s also not giving a final number of what it’s going to take to finish the job. Seems like it’s taken on an “open checkbook” mentality. Doesn’t seem right. The only extra work I have agreed to at his recommendation was to go ahead and pull the cab off and repaint the interior floor and sandblast and paint the underside of the cab, but that was less work than it seems because I brought the truck entirely stripped. No front clip on, no interior, nothing.

I could see the total reaching say, 15k with the extra work of pulling the cab but he knew about all the areas that needed repair when he quoted the job. I’m looking for recommendations on how to handle this and get it done at close to the quoted price. No other businesses or industries can just double the price of a job halfway through and expect no pushback. Seems crazy. I didn’t want a show truck, just a well done, properly prepped driver paint job that will last. Am I being unreasonable with my expectations or is he in the wrong here? Thanks everyone.

 

[imiceman44]

Question for the group, I have a 73 K10 at a paint shop currently for an original style two-tone green and white paint job. The truck was for the most part pretty clean before, very minimal cab rust, total of 3 maybe 4 small areas that had to be patched. Also bought a complete brand new AMD bed assembly for it at the recommendation of the shop to save labor hours (they said the old bed wasn’t worth fixing. Painter quoted 8-12k and 6-8 week turnaround. Well it’s now been 5 months and I’m up to 9200$ and just got another 4k bill for “bodywork and panel alignment” bringing the total to 14k and the bed is still bare metal. The cab and front clip are in high build primer supposedly ready for a couple rounds of blocking then sealer and paint. He’s also not giving a final number of what it’s going to take to finish the job. Seems like it’s taken on an “open checkbook” mentality. Doesn’t seem right. The only extra work I have agreed to at his recommendation was to go ahead and pull the cab off and repaint the interior floor and sandblast and paint the underside of the cab, but that was less work than it seems because I brought the truck entirely stripped. No front clip on, no interior, nothing.

I could see the total reaching say, 15k with the extra work of pulling the cab but he knew about all the areas that needed repair when he quoted the job. I’m looking for recommendations on how to handle this and get it done at close to the quoted price. No other businesses or industries can just double the price of a job halfway through and expect no pushback. Seems crazy. I didn’t want a show truck, just a well done, properly prepped driver paint job that will last. Am I being unreasonable with my expectations or is he in the wrong here? Thanks everyone.

If he quoted 8-12 it shouldn't be more than 12, at least I wouldn't pay more, he quoted, he should honor his quote. And yes the additional work you authorize can be added but I don't see it being that much more.
I am sorry you have to deal with a shop like that

 

[70jimmy]

Seems to be the norm. My 6 K estimate went to 12 K and they didn't replace everything they were supposed to. It turned into get the truck out of there and redo what I need to.

Some shops use your money to fund other projects then don't have money to finish. Most fields of business seem to have this issue.

 

[imiceman44]

Seems to be the norm. My 6 K estimate went to 12 K and they didn't replace everything they were supposed to. It turned into get the truck out of there and redo what I need to.

Some shops use your money to fund other projects then don't have money to finish. Most fields of business seem to have this issue.

They learned from the pro, our government

 

[nvrenuf]

is that original quote in writing? Maybe on a work order? I believe it’s usually in the fine print that cost can exceed the quote by a small percentage but not like what you’re talking about.

 

[HankScorpio]

That sucks man. There is only $1500 of actual paint material cost on a truck like that. It's all labor and it sounds like they are running that cost up pretty high too.
You can't really walk away at this point but you should negotiate a max cost right now before it gets any worse

 

[80 Chevy K20 4x4]

If you have the quote/work order, look at all the fine print to verify if the costs can go up a certain percentage, or if it's a hard quote at $12k max.

If it's just stated as $12k max, then you should point out it's a written contract, and you shouldn't be paying any extra money except for any agreed upon extra work like the cab floors.

I know you don't want any more delays or setbacks, and you want your truck finished, but damn there has to be a limit to them raping the customers.

If the expected bodywork and paint finish doesn't meet your expectations, then it would time for a lawyer.

 

[ktmoutfront]

A local shop to me had a dozen cars in for restorations. I was contacted by oner of the car owners to go look at his project. $35k into it and it was just in primer. No rust repair. Minor straightening of panels needed. His itemized bill showed the new engine and transmission he supplied being installed. Ponzi scheme. None of the cars were beyond 50%.

The shop owner is now in jail for fraud and theft. The coyote engine supplied no longer exists. The guy sold it.

 

[76k5blazerr]

A local shop to me had a dozen cars in for restorations. I was contacted by oner of the car owners to go look at his project. $35k into it and it was just in primer. No rust repair. Minor straightening of panels needed. His itemized bill showed the new engine and transmission he supplied being installed. Ponzi scheme. None of the cars were beyond 50%.

The shop owner is now in jail for fraud and theft. The coyote engine supplied no longer exists. The guy sold it.

Holy sh!t, I don’t think this guy is doing that. What I think is he fancies himself a perfectionist and will say stuff like “I don’t know any other way to do it than 100% correct yada yada, and I think he’s run up a bunch of hours with relatively small things that maybe only a body man would notice.

 

[76k5blazerr]

If you have the quote/work order, look at all the fine print to verify if the costs can go up a certain percentage, or if it's a hard quote at $12k max.

If it's just stated as $12k max, then you should point out it's a written contract, and you shouldn't be paying any extra money except for any agreed upon extra work like the cab floors.

I know you don't want any more delays or setbacks, and you want your truck finished, but damn there has to be a limit to them raping the customers.

If the expected bodywork and paint finish doesn't meet your expectations, then it would time for a lawyer.

Quote says 8-12k with 8k being minimal body work needed and 12k extensive. And tbh I really wouldn’t call the bodywork he’s done extensive. Handful of dents/dings and 3-4 small rust patches.