Quoted from jwilson:I think HEP charges about $8K in labour, plus parts. So if he does 10 restores a year, he's making $80K gross.
However, there's probably less than ten restorers doing it for a living in the the US. Hell, maybe less than five, and they all live in the middle of nowhere where it's a lot less expensive to live.
In terms of HEP none of this is correct but I like the idea of it
Honestly *my* actual labor is about $6000 to $6500 unless there is something more involved and it includes materials like paint and clear sandpaper,etc so it is far less profitable than projected.
There is also equipment, maintenance ,taxes,insurance,permits,power ,bookkeeping and more all to be taken out or paid for by the labor charges.
It is not as profitable as it should be at all and getting worse as the cost of other things rise but I just like the freedom it affords me in my daily life.