Cost to do fab work

[bamafrost]

I know costs can vary by area...but I have a 68 C10 that is in need of the usual rust repair...inner and outer rockers, floor fronts and toe boards and cab corners.
Bought all the parts (Goodmark) and was wondering what a good fabricator might charge for doing the fab/welding. My guy said $1500 or so as an estimate (says that'd be the high side). Hey, I thought so too. hahaha

I didn't think it'd be more than $500-$600 (am I out to lunch?) with me supplying parts. Maybe I should keep looking for a donor cab that needs nothing much.

Makes the nice ones I have found for $600-$900 worth reconsidering. I don't do fab or welding...so that isn't an option.

Mine also has rust through below the windshield and in the "channel" where the wiring runs in the cowl. That'd be an extra cost fix. Don't want to put a few grand into cab metal prep as I just don't have it.

Didn't know what to look for when I bought my project. Ouch.

Any thoughts on prices/options? I appreciate any input.

Tom

[Dynomutt]

$1500 is about what I was expecting to pay for similar repairs and I have all of the parts already. I got a quote last week from a "reputable" guy and he quoted $4500.00 just for the labor. I almost hit the floor! Needless to say, he won't be getting my business.

Going to talk to another guy today. He expects it to be $800-$1200 but no more than $1500. This is more up my alley.

[fine69]

Thats not really out of line. But you are a site supporter. Why not put a WTB ad in the parts section for a cab?

I know i that there are cabs out there. I am going to AZ and bringing back a couple in about a month.

PM me if interested.

[LEEVON]

He's in the ballpark at $1500. I would expect that $500-600 might cover rockers and cab corners, but toe boards, inner rockers, window channel that's gonna take a week. If his labor is $40/hr that's puts him at 37 hours. And if he goes over you're gonnna get it. I just saw a thread yesterday where a guy here paid $1800 to have partial floorboards, cab corners, and rockers installed and the cab primed and he was very happy.

An investement in a nice cab that just needs rockers might be a wise choice. You might ask around here on the board too, depending on where you're located there's alot of talent available.

[Hart_Rod]

It seems simple, but there's a LOT of work involved in fixing the areas you're talking about. If you can buy a good cab, you'll be money ahead. You could always buy a welder and learn to do it yourself. Good luck.

[tim21391]

$1500 is still really good.. im up to like 500-700 on parts and material and its taken me over a year since i dont got the time to do it that often.. and mine was cab corners, rockers in and out, outer floor, floor under the tank, floor board, kick panel, both pillars, cowl vent area. and cab supports.. so in my opinion i like the $1500... thats a lot of work

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by bamafrost

I know costs can vary by area...but I have a 68 C10 that is in need of the usual rust repair...inner and outer rockers, floor fronts and toe boards and cab corners.
Bought all the parts (Goodmark) and was wondering what a good fabricator might charge for doing the fab/welding. My guy said $1500 or so as an estimate (says that'd be the high side). Hey, I thought so too. hahaha

I didn't think it'd be more than $500-$600 (am I out to lunch?) with me supplying parts. Maybe I should keep looking for a donor cab that needs nothing much.

Makes the nice ones I have found for $600-$900 worth reconsidering. I don't do fab or welding...so that isn't an option.

Mine also has rust through below the windshield and in the "channel" where the wiring runs in the cowl. That'd be an extra cost fix. Don't want to put a few grand into cab metal prep as I just don't have it.

Didn't know what to look for when I bought my project. Ouch.

Any thoughts on prices/options? I appreciate any input.

Tom

I know you said you don't do fab work or welding but for $1500 I would SERIOUSLY consider purchasing yourself a nice welding machine.

Below are pictures of my first ever attempt at doing outwardly noticable welding work. I didn't do fab or welding work either until that RHS rocker panel.

I got approximately $1200 into a brand new Miller 220V machine, wire, gas, and auto-darkening helmet. Practice on scrap sheet metal until you get comfortable with the process, then have at it.

The beauty of having your own welding machine is that after you save the $300 on your first project, you still have the welding machine and the skill set to do other projects.

You don't know how bad you need a welder until you have it in your shop. Not only for your own projects but for helping your friends and neighbors out too. This past spring I rebuilt a metal fishing pier (we call them docks here in MN) for a guy. In the fall my neighbor needed his grain auger repaired. I copied a commercially available buckthorn puller. Now my metal dock needs a repair as I busted it up taking it out of the lake this fall.

[bamafrost]

Thanks for all the helpful input. I always think things should cost less...guess I just live in the past. haha

I know it's quite a bit of work, just didn't know how many man hours. My guy is a real master at the metal fab thing...so I have no doubts that his job will be better than it was when it left the factory.

Tempting to buy the welder and try...maybe I will...after all it's not brain surgery, right.
Just go slow and don't burn things up...tack alot and go back over it repeatedly. Talking myself into this. lol

I found a killer 68 air cab that is pretty close that needs nothing for $900...considering that way. Won't know til I see it in person. Lots of them in my area for $150-$200...but they are needing A LOT of work as usual.

mrein3....you did a fine job on yours!

Tom

[mbgmike]

labor rates to do rust repair and fab work runs anywhere from $55.00 to $80.00 per hour depending on who is doing the work. Just to do collision work insurance companies only pay $40. to $42.00 per hour. But that is just for standard collision work. We are $60.00 per hour but even that fluctuates sometimes depending on if customer is a regular and or if they bought the parts from us. Good luck finding anyone that does it professionally for less, unless its a friend.

[mbgmike]

Doing it yourself is a great way to do it but believe me you WILL spend a lot more. Its more than just a welder cost. A lot more. It costs thousands to get set up right.

[68jewel]

I be straight 2 the point. Fab work ain't cheap!! $1500 sounds about right.

[bigsnookmaster]

There's all kinds of "Fabricators" out there. Just because a guy can weld, doesn't mean he can fabricate. Be careful, it's easier for someone to make a mistake when it's not their parts. My .02

[OldAzMe]

Here's another sugestion. Rent a welder from the tool supply for a couple of days, just to see how you like it welding. Try a small section on your cab, if you mess up or don't like welding at least you've tried.

[hippycarguy]

everyone thinks they can do body work, especially on floors. It's not that simple! I've fixed alot of do it your self repairs that can almost double the cost of repairs. Not everyone fits panels carefully. If you don't get a good foundation., it throws everything out of shape. Just be careful who does work. I think $1500 is not out of line at all. Not tryin to discourage, but i do this every day.

[Truckism]

I have done my share of rust repairs so i know what it takes. $1500 doesn't sound bad for what he's doing. Wait until the can of worms is opened to see whats concealed, then the price goes up. The other option is to go with the low estimate and end up with misaligned panels, and stuff covered up. Just remember, you usually get what you pay for. Good Luck!

[POPO1984]

I got a quote last week for the same work as you are getting done. It was 1700 to start the repairs and he would tell me everytime it was gonna be more.I found a cab for 300 a few hours away from me and went to get it sunday morning. it will probably save me 600 bucks. oh and i already had all the patch panels and a welder.

[extd56]

Come on out to California, I always seem to be able to find a good cab, even when I don't want any.

[jmedero]

well I can say that I went with the $500 guy and I put in all the parts, and my truck is still sitting there MONTHS later. I started to do the repairs my self but took it to the shop bc I had no time...... did I mention it is still in the same spot I parked it in.... LOL. If he can do it for $1500 and you get it done in a timely manor go for it.

[bamafrost]

I appreciate all the great insight...I really do. I have the ultimate confidence in this guy...his workmanship/welding is like art...so I am still looking for a better cab, but if that doesn't happen I have decided to go with him @ $1500.

I sure appreciate all the great advice. This board has great and helpful members!!!!

Tom

[tap500]

I would say that $1500 is well worth it if you get quality work. I spent 2 months of 4hours a day 4 days a week to do mine. Cab corners, front and rear floor sections, lower pillars front and rear, lower kick panels, and rockers.

Going back in time, a donor cab is well worth the money and more importantly the TIME! It seems like a lot to pay $1000 or so for a cab but by the time you get all the sheet metal and all the labor added in, you will pay more than that and have all the headaches and have to wait.

[68jewel]

Looks like everyone agrees that $1500 is a decent and honest price. You will waste more time trying to find a cab, looking for a cab and hoping for a good cab only to get it or go look at it and discover it's not what you want either or it isn't what the seller said it was to be. Look at it this way......

*$1500 at a shop rate of $50/hr(which is a cheap shop rate) = 30 hours
*30 hours divided by at least 4 solid hours a day = 7.5 days
*On a 5 day work week, roughly = 1 1/2 weeks

So, that seems fair. Don't you think? And honestly, it hards to devote 4 hours a day on it if he has other customers. So, it could be 2-3 weeks. So, $1500 for 2-3 weeks of work ain't bad. Lastly, like another member said, it's more than just welding. The metal has to be lined up straight, sealed right, etc. Fix it right the first time. Trust me, I know all about taking the cheap route and having to refix stuff. I've had my share of turning $1,000 jobs into $2,000 jobs because I thought I was smarter than the job itself.

[Ackattack]

I did my rust repair myself. I already had a welder, and this was basically my first attempt at doing all of this. It was a major pain, but a great learning experience.

If you do it yourself, I would highly recomend getting Efabman's DVDs as he walks you through the entire process.

After doing it myself, it'd say my repairs look good (not great). Next time (if there is a next time) it will be better.

good luck

[Big-Blue]

Rent a trailer and go get this one...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/1513800397.html

Go back home and sell the parts you have already bought and you are just about even....