Process Of Choosing A Custom Auto Body Shop
When it comes time to choose a custom auto body shop to work on your car, it’s important to do your research ahead of time to ensure that you’re leaving your investment in competent hands. A shop that isn’t able to do the work you’d like or that you don’t feel comfortable working with can cause serious stress and concern, so it’s best to speak with several shops and take the time to find the right fit. Here are a few ways to gather information about the options in your area before you choose a shop for your custom car project.
Check Online Portfolios
As with all types of creative work, looking at a shop’s online portfolio can help you determine whether its staff has experience in the type of work you’d like to get done. Knowing that the shop can complete the project you have in mind because they’ve done it before can offer great peace of mind when choosing a shop. If the location hasn’t completed the same project recently, keep an eye out for projects that appear similar, as you may still be able to have your customizations done if the staff is skilled in their other work and can adapt to your vision.
Read Online Reviews
Online reviews can reveal important information about how the shop treats customers and manages the customization process, which can’t typically be seen in portfolio photos. When choosing a custom auto body shop, you want to be sure you’re choosing a group of people with whom you enjoy working and who will take your goals and input seriously. Shops that do great work but are unkind to customers can leave you with a sour feeling, and reading reviews can help you determine whether the shop is one with which you’d like to work.
Domestic or Foreign?
Domestic and foreign cars have different parts and unique quirks, so be sure that the shop you’ve selected understands your vehicle well enough to complete the necessary work. Inexperience with a particular type of car can lead to longer, more expensive projects, so speak to a shop employee and ask if they and their team will be able to work on your car. Shops often have connections with parts dealers and other industry professionals based on the types of cars they typically work on, so sending your foreign car to a domestic auto body shop will not be as efficient as choosing a shop that has the right network already in place.
Schedule A Consultation with a Custom Auto Body Shop
Sometimes, going right to the source is the best option. Schedule a consultation to speak with the shop owner about their experience, past projects, pricing, and any specific questions or concerns you might have about your vehicle and customizations you’d like to have done. Having a conversation about the finer details of your project can be an excellent way to determine whether you feel confident in the shop’s experience, resources, and customization process before you officially sign on to work with that particular team.
Visit The Shop
If possible, schedule an in-person consultation to give yourself an opportunity to visit the shop before you make a decision on which shop to use. Taking a look around can give you a good sense of how the shop treats its clients’ vehicles, how clean and organized it appears, and other valuable information. If the shop is messy and the staff appear to be uninterested in their work, you may not feel comfortable entrusting them with your own vehicle.
Working With A Local Custom Auto Body Shop
Speak to the custom auto body specialists at Rob’s Customs & Restorations for more information about the shop’s own processes and approach to custom work. Rob’s specializes in engine swaps, restorations of classic cars, and custom auto body and paint work for a variety of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The shop provides free consultations for all clients, so schedule a conversation with a specialist to discuss your plans and hear more about how Rob’s Customs & Restorations can make your dream car a reality.
