Restoration questions

kema1395

New User
I'm currently in a class where we have to create a business concept. Mine is a tractor restoration business, but I'm having trouble finding any real information about how customers are charged, so I have a couple questions:
1. What does a restoration (repaint, replace parts, etc) typically run?
2. Do businesses typically charge customers for parts or do customers buy parts themselves?
I have an incredibly basic knowledge of tractor restoration, so any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Welcome kema!

1. What does a restoration (repaint, replace parts, etc) typically run?

There are as many answers to that as there are tractors in the world!

All depends on what the customer wants.

A true restoration is extremely time consuming and expensive. Depends on the beginning condition and completeness, the rarity, the make, the age, etc.

Some consider degreasing and a paint job as restoration.

Some expect the first at the price of the second.

Some charge for the first, and do the second!

2. Do businesses typically charge customers for parts or do customers buy parts themselves?

That has to be worked out case by case.

If you depend on the customer to source the parts, be ready for your shop to be tied up for a long time!

But if you source the parts, the customer needs to know he's getting charged for your time, weather it be at the computer or behind the windshield. Typically parts are marked up 20%, as you will have a lot of money tied up for a long time.

In conclusion, most restorations are done for sentimental reasons. Some are done on rare collectable tractors. But your average fence row find will cost many more times what the retail value is when done. That said, best get your money in stages as work progresses, otherwise you will be stuck with a $10,000 8N!
 
I have a Ford 8N that was my Dad's so it has a lot of sentimental value to me and I would never sell it. It will be passed down to one of my sons. I have over $5000 just
in parts, while mine is not a "true restoration " e.g. all castings totally stripped down and sandblasted, I went thru it fairly extensively. I went thru the axle bushings,
steering box, rebuilt engine and all components, distributor, starter, generator, clutch pressure plate etc. Also rebuilt the hydraulic system, pump and cylinder, new
rear end brakes bearings axle hubs etc. I did not even touch the transmission other than the input shaft. The parts include new tires all around $900 plus, and the
paint cost and paint prep material was over $1200. I easily spent over 100 hours or more just in prep alone. That does not even include a parts tractor I bought for
$600. I know if someone asked me to paint and prep a tractor like I did, they could not pay me enough.
So like Steve said it depends on how far the customer would want you to go.
If you charged by the hour, it could get very expensive for the customer, If you did a flat rate, you could come out on the wrong end of the deal.
Good luck.
 
You won't be able to set up any stock pricing. The restoration would vary from tractor to tractor and the condition. Some models will be easier to get parts for than others so the rare ones in rough condition would cost more to restore than anyone would be willing to pay. I would think it would be difficult to make a go of it on the easy ones.
 
Thanks for the information! My target market would be people with tractors who don't have the time to do restorations themselves. Personally, I have family members in this situation; they would like their tractors restored but they just don't have the time.
I honestly don't care too much about how much I would charge, I just enjoy working on the tractors, but the teacher wants specific prices. I'm in a club that works on tractor restorations at my school, so anything would be better than the free labor I'm currently providing! :D
 
You might check for a company that has a set price for either refurbished or restored ford N series. Yes big difference in refurbished and restored!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Recently had some work done to resurrect a pony engine on a JD 2-cy diesel. Had it done at an independent tractor repair shop. They charge for labor by the hour as I suspect most repair shops do. I also had them do some minor things like replacing gauges, tach, etc. They got all the lights and dash gauges working, the pony motor starting and running properly, etc. I was pleased with their work as they did exactly what I asked them to do and did it well. I suppose if you had a tractor completely restored, which may include engine rebuilding, maybe transmission repair, new clutch, checking/replacing cooling system components, sheet metal repair and painting, they would probably still charge by the hour.
There are a couple of businesses that advertise complete tractor restoration so maybe you could contact them to get some ideas.
 
(quoted from post at 00:06:28 02/23/17) I'm currently in a class where we have to create a business concept. Mine is a tractor restoration business, but I'm having trouble finding any real information about how customers are charged, so I have a couple questions:
1. What does a restoration (repaint, replace parts, etc) typically run?
2. Do businesses typically charge customers for parts or do customers buy parts themselves?
I have an incredibly basic knowledge of tractor restoration, so any help is greatly appreciated!

Good intresting post. I will like to follow this.
 
I have no idea how you could come up with an answer to that. Didn't have any intention of having $4200. in my Super M and would never call it a restoration and that money doesn't include a nickles worth of labor either. I get real tired of looking at so called complete restorations with mismatched tires, over spray and either a painted seat pan or tied on seat cover when the correct one for the tractor is available.
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