CostHow we charge for our work
We work on an estimate, a quote, or our hourly rate — depending on the job. This page explains which applies and why.
A Series 2A (1975) undergoing restoration at the Series Magic workshop, Melbourne.The UnknownsThe reality of Series work
Many Series vehicles have been worked hard but not maintained properly, or left sitting under a gum tree in a paddock, or in a shed, for years or decades. By the time they come into our workshop they’re often a patchwork of the ravages of time, benign neglect, uninformed or dodgy repairs, and dubious modifications. All too often, a tarted-up farm wreck is advertised as a ‘restored’ Series and snapped up by an unsuspecting buyer.
The state of disrepair of many Series means that the scope of work and likely cost can be difficult to determine even after an inspection: we often discover more things that need doing, in order to complete the work to a satisfactory standard, as the work proceeds. There may also be unforeseen complications.
Given these uncertainties, quoting is the exception rather than the rule. Most work is undertaken on the basis of either an estimate or the workshop hourly rate.
Not sure where you stand with your Series? Get in touch →
QuotesQuotes — the exception
We may offer a fixed-price quote for a routine, self-contained job with relatively few unknowns, or where the uncertainties fall within a reasonably predictable range—such as rebuilding a customer-supplied gearbox and transfer case that has been inspected by us.
Quotes may include conditions, which will be specified in the quote. For example, a quote to rebuild an engine might be conditional on the cylinder head passing a crack test and pressure test; if not, we might have to replace the head, involving an additional cost.
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EstimatesEstimates — our default
If the scope and cost of the work required is more uncertain at the outset, we typically offer an estimate rather than a quote. An estimate is not a commitment to achieve a particular outcome for a fixed cost; it’s our best assessment of what’s involved and what that work is likely to cost, based on an inspection and on our experience with such jobs.
For example, replacing a clutch assembly on a Series is a routine job that can be quoted, but accessing the clutch requires removal of the gearbox and transfer case—for which the seat box, floor plates, gearbox tunnel covers, drive shafts, and so on, must be detached.
That preparatory work might turn out to be straightforward—or it may not. A few hard-to-access, rust-seized fixings that must be cut out without causing collateral damage may add significant time to the job.
We can anticipate some such complications, but not all of them.
Get in touch for an estimate →
Combination quotesQuote + estimate
If appropriate, we may provide you with an estimates document with quote line items for things that can be quoted, and estimate line items for those that can’t. For example, we might quote the replacement of a clutch assembly but estimate the work required to gain access to it.
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Hourly RateHourly rate basis
Some jobs on a Series, or on a particular Series, are so exploratory in nature—or there are so many unknowns at the outset—that we’ll only undertake them on the basis of charging our workshop hourly rate for however long it takes to do the job (plus the cost of any replacement parts and other charges), or until a nominated spending limit has been reached, after which the car may return to our workshop if further work is authorised.
In such cases, the most we can honestly say at the outset is: “It’ll cost at least X dollars, possibly quite a bit more—there’s so much we don’t yet know until we get stuck into it that we can’t give you a realistic quote or estimate, it’d be pure guesswork.”
Workshop rateOur hourly rate
Our workshop hourly rate is $210 plus GST.