Full-Service classic car restoration shop

Collectors, enthusiasts, classic car investors and insurance-related repair customers who want specialist work done properly.

Project fees based on estimated labor hours and parts, billed in stages. Extra income can come from storage, appraisal-style inspections or selling restored cars on consignment.

• Strong mechanical and bodywork skills
• Project management and scheduling
• Estimating labor and parts accurately
• Managing customers' expectations

• Zoning, fire code and environmental rules for paint, solvents and waste, check with your city, county and state
• Some states require auto repair or body shop registration or licensing, check your state's licensing board or consumer affairs office
• Garage keepers, general liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Cash flow: long projects mean parts costs up front, use deposits and staged payments in a written contract
• Sales tax on parts and possibly labor varies by state, check with your state tax agency
• Customers' cars in storage are a theft and damage risk, plan security and insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the shop you rent, the equipment you buy and how much you can fund up front. Long projects mean parts costs early, so use deposits and staged payments.

Check zoning, fire code and environmental rules for paint, solvents and waste with your city, county and state. Also check whether your state requires auto repair or body shop registration, plus insurance, sales tax on parts and labor, and security.

Estimates suggest at least around 35 hours a week. Useful skills include strong mechanical and bodywork ability, project management and scheduling, estimating labor and parts accurately, and managing customers' expectations through long projects.