850Fab Pricing and Structure
Please read this completely. You will be asked to sign this document, acknowledging that you have read it now and at the time of dropping off your project.
All custom work is $150 per hour by the hour + materials, shop supplies and tax (where applicable) with a 1hr shop minimum regardless of task. Estimates for custom work is very time consuming. I will build a material list for your project but I no longer quote labor. Sometimes I do have a general idea of what it may cost and if I do give you this window, keep in mind, I will bill for what it takes without regard to this window. Quoting labor just doesn't work. Every single project is different and has its own battles to conquer. I expect my clients to hold me to a standard that I am honest and will charge accordingly. Meaning, I will not bill you for time that is not billable. For example, there have been many times that I build something and I, personally, think it could be better and I end up redoing it. You are not responsible for that time. I have a time clock that I sign in and out of everyday and log what I did in that time. If you are ever in question of my time, I would be happy to explain it to you and show you my clock in and out times. This is the only way a custom fabrication shop can keep its doors open. I enjoy open communication between myself and clients so I will always keep you updated when progress is made!
The work I do is very specialized. You will not find another shop anywhere around me that can achieve the quality of work I provide. The idea behind my business and structure is not to be the cheapest or fastest but simply offer the highest quality product in every aspect for those looking for high quality products. I am not looking to “just get the job done”. I am not looking for the least expensive way to get a job done. If you are used to garage built side job rates using the cheapest material available, you are probably going to be surprised at what I charge and your idea of “quality”, in that sense, is likely 100% different than my idea of quality. There is not a single “10 minute job”. It doesn't matter if its a simple bracket that needs to be made. I am a business. This is what I do to feed my family. Not everyone is destined to be a client of mine and I am ok with that. This document is here to help you understand what I am about, what you should expect of me and what I should expect of you.
If you are coming to me wanting custom parts made with the idea that I will be around what another business manufactures and sells their product for, you will be very mistaken. For instance, a set of V8 headers (depending on design) takes me 30-50 hours to build. You will have roughly $12-1300 in materials. A 3" dual exhaust system with x-pipe exiting out the back can be a 30-40 hour job. Everything is hand fabricated and hand finished in-house to my standards which is very high. I am not cheap by any means, however, I will do it right the first time AND I will stand behind what I do. Doing it once the right way will always give you a greater product than going the cheap route first and then having to fix it and end up with expensive junk you don't even like.
Please keep in mind that if you bring me a running car and you want custom replacement parts, there is labor involved in removing your parts before I can start on my own. That time is NOT free. Be aware that I am removing used parts in various parts of the engine bay/car, some which may require removal of additional parts to access or potentially even running into rusted/seized/broken bolts. I cannot predict the future nor am I responsible for eating this time. I will communicate with you in the event this happens. If you are familiar with working on your car, please plan ahead to replace gaskets/seals...etc as necessary.
Getting on my schedule requires all materials to be paid in full prior to making an appointment. Once I receive this deposit, we can discuss a drop-off date of your vehicle/project. Depending on the extent of work being done, I will ask for a labor deposit and the amount will be to my discretion. I will bill every 1-2 weeks depending on the scope of the project.
Before we get started, if you have a vision you want, we will write the build out with specifics on your must haves as well as the other things I can use my own judgement on. Some of you will be bringing me your project with parts on the car already. Keep in mind, these parts you bring could hinder my ability to give you what you want and I have to work within the limitations of what they allow for me to get the project done. I don't always see these problems in the beginning but if this occurs and what needs to be done doesn't line up to what you want, we can discuss it at that point. If at any point, we scrap parts and redo something, I am NOT responsible for that time. The clock will keep ticking.
My goal is to exceed your expectations and create a positive experience through communication before, during and after completion. Be sure to follow along on my social media (@850fab on FB and @850fab_Blake on IG). If you don't have either of these, please let me know and I will update you via email or cell phone. I want to be as open and honest as possible as I have found that’s how I like to be treated. All I want is to be paid for my time and for far too long, I sacrificed the needs of my family and I simply cannot do that. I'm in this business to support my family, create a profit, and enjoy the work I do. I’m not out to make a million dollars or rip my customers off by billing for work that isn't billable, however, I do believe my time is valuable and the only way to do right for the customer is to charge appropriately. I absolutely have a passion for what I do and I’d like to believe that’s why you are contacting me. Its art and while it’s my business, I find extreme pleasure in this ability I have been blessed with. So, thank you for contacting me and I look forward to working with you.
Blake Barr
Owner/Fabricator