Classic car restoration from your garage

Classic car owners, hobbyists who lack the time or skills, and people who have inherited or bought a project vehicle.

A quoted price per project or per stage, or an hourly labour rate plus parts at cost with a small markup. Deposits and stage payments help cover parts.

• Mechanical and bodywork know-how
• Patience and attention to detail
• Project planning and record keeping

• Zoning and home-based business rules, plus neighbour complaints about noise, paint fumes or stored vehicles
• Garage keepers or commercial general liability insurance, since standard home insurance often won't cover customers' vehicles. Check with a broker
• Safe handling and disposal of oil, fluids, solvents and paint, which are regulated provincially, so check your rules
• Projects that run over budget or time. Use written quotes and get approval before extra work
• Provincial rules on who may do certain repairs or safety work. Some provinces require certified technicians for some work, so check your provincial regulator

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000 CAD, depending on the tools and equipment you already have and the insurance you need. Use written quotes so projects don't run over budget.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000 CAD, depending on how many projects you take on and their size. Projects can run over time, so get approval before any extra work.

Check zoning and home-based business rules, and neighbour issues like noise and paint fumes. Ask a broker about garage keepers or commercial general liability insurance, check provincial rules on handling and disposing of fluids, and on who may do certain repairs.