Guestimates on Labor for Carpet Replacement?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 231
Likes: 7
From: Gainesville, Florida
Guestimates on Labor for Carpet Replacement?
Hi All
If I purchased a quality carpet replacement kit from a place like Classic 9 Leather, can anyone give me a ballpark idea of what I should expect tp pay an upholserty shop to remove the old and install the new?
1991 Auto S4
Thanks!
jsm
If I purchased a quality carpet replacement kit from a place like Classic 9 Leather, can anyone give me a ballpark idea of what I should expect tp pay an upholserty shop to remove the old and install the new?
1991 Auto S4
Thanks!
jsm
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 331
From: Kaukauna Wisconsin
I don't think an upholstery shop would be the place to go. I'd go to that type of place if I was buying seat 'skins' and having them installed.
Not exactly sure where you should go.
However, I would do it myself. None of it is all that hard. Pull the seats, get the old carpet up and the glue cleaned up, new glue and lay down the new carpet.
The stuff on the door cards requires them to be pulled, but again, not that big of a deal.
And, as MrMerlin suggests, having the door cards off is an excellent opportunity to go into the window motors, door latches and replace the vapor barriers (those make a huge difference).
Not exactly sure where you should go.
However, I would do it myself. None of it is all that hard. Pull the seats, get the old carpet up and the glue cleaned up, new glue and lay down the new carpet.
The stuff on the door cards requires them to be pulled, but again, not that big of a deal.
And, as MrMerlin suggests, having the door cards off is an excellent opportunity to go into the window motors, door latches and replace the vapor barriers (those make a huge difference).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 3,005
From: CT & FL
Depends on the result you expect at the other end of the job.
If you are removing the original carpet, and the interior has never been apart you have the opportunity to actually preserve all of the original hardware, clips, screws, etc required to be removed to do the job.
There's a lot of pieces of carpet, and a lot of stuff to remove to install it correctly. The carpets were installed before much of the interior was assembled and many cars I see with replacement carpet have a lot of missing/incorrect fasteners.
A lot of the parts you'll be working with usually need repairs/ replacements: door panels and console sides break easy and are usually compromised by now. door sills and associated clips, and hood releases break easily on the way off. there's lots of specific hardware and order of arrangement anchoring the seat belts, and care must be taken around the e-brake area panels with their associated wiring. Removing some of old carpet pieces can be a chore, and removing the rear seats is work too if they've never been out. (think old german environmentally unfriendly nuclear powered GLUE)
I think stan's number of around 40 hours with door (and other) fixes, and assuming total commitment to correctness everywhere, is accurate. None of it is rocket science but the person doing it needs to be mindful of your goals. You'll probably be buying some various clips at a minimum.
One can also install this carpet set in about 3 hours, you can guess what the results are like.
If you are removing the original carpet, and the interior has never been apart you have the opportunity to actually preserve all of the original hardware, clips, screws, etc required to be removed to do the job.
There's a lot of pieces of carpet, and a lot of stuff to remove to install it correctly. The carpets were installed before much of the interior was assembled and many cars I see with replacement carpet have a lot of missing/incorrect fasteners.
A lot of the parts you'll be working with usually need repairs/ replacements: door panels and console sides break easy and are usually compromised by now. door sills and associated clips, and hood releases break easily on the way off. there's lots of specific hardware and order of arrangement anchoring the seat belts, and care must be taken around the e-brake area panels with their associated wiring. Removing some of old carpet pieces can be a chore, and removing the rear seats is work too if they've never been out. (think old german environmentally unfriendly nuclear powered GLUE)
I think stan's number of around 40 hours with door (and other) fixes, and assuming total commitment to correctness everywhere, is accurate. None of it is rocket science but the person doing it needs to be mindful of your goals. You'll probably be buying some various clips at a minimum.
One can also install this carpet set in about 3 hours, you can guess what the results are like.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,279
Likes: 4,248
From: Philly PA
To note the carpet set has 30 pieces of carpet in it ,
so practice on the small parts first ,
then remove the seats and put the floor carpets in.
I only use Weldwood brush on contact glue,
NOTE if you use the spay on glues from the spray cans,
you might have to do the job twice
so practice on the small parts first ,
then remove the seats and put the floor carpets in.
I only use Weldwood brush on contact glue,
NOTE if you use the spay on glues from the spray cans,
you might have to do the job twice
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,228
Likes: 2,530
From: Anaheim
The "professionals" have a crazy "high stick" glue, which they buy in gallons and spray from a spray pot. We were not able to get this glue, in California, but now the "pros" complained so much, that California now allows them to have this glue.
Not for retail sale, still, in California.
However, likely not an issue in Florida.
I don't think we could do a quality job in 40 hours....I usually plan on 60 hours. Of course, we check/replace all the vacuum pods for the HVAC, repair the door windows, and all the other ancillary components, while everything is apart.
Silly to not check/look at components you can touch, while the interior is apart!
Not for retail sale, still, in California.
However, likely not an issue in Florida.
I don't think we could do a quality job in 40 hours....I usually plan on 60 hours. Of course, we check/replace all the vacuum pods for the HVAC, repair the door windows, and all the other ancillary components, while everything is apart.
Silly to not check/look at components you can touch, while the interior is apart!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 177
From: southern Illinois
I have a kit from Classic 9 arriving this week. Looks like I'll have my winter project now. 40-60 hours? I had no idea!
Maybe I can document the process so everyone can see what NOT to do.
Maybe I can document the process so everyone can see what NOT to do.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Boulder Creek, CA
Im going to have my preferred upholstery/vehicle restoration shop do this in March...ill reply back then.
Ill prepare the car some, removing the cards, and having a perfect spare set redone..
I'll still be down from a full knee replacement bout that time, best Ill be able to do is drive the car to the shop.
For those in Norcal that need top notch -anything- fabric/leather/interior done, Say Jeff with the 928 sent you, it will help...and you wont be dissapointed.
https://www.wardellauto.com/
Ill prepare the car some, removing the cards, and having a perfect spare set redone..
I'll still be down from a full knee replacement bout that time, best Ill be able to do is drive the car to the shop.
For those in Norcal that need top notch -anything- fabric/leather/interior done, Say Jeff with the 928 sent you, it will help...and you wont be dissapointed.
https://www.wardellauto.com/
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 3,005
From: CT & FL
The "professionals" have a crazy "high stick" glue, which they buy in gallons and spray from a spray pot. We were not able to get this glue, in California, but now the "pros" complained so much, that California now allows them to have this glue.
Not for retail sale, still, in California.
However, likely not an issue in Florida.
I don't think we could do a quality job in 40 hours....I usually plan on 60 hours. Of course, we check/replace all the vacuum pods for the HVAC, repair the door windows, and all the other ancillary components, while everything is apart.
Silly to not check/look at components you can touch, while the interior is apart!
Not for retail sale, still, in California.
However, likely not an issue in Florida.
I don't think we could do a quality job in 40 hours....I usually plan on 60 hours. Of course, we check/replace all the vacuum pods for the HVAC, repair the door windows, and all the other ancillary components, while everything is apart.
Silly to not check/look at components you can touch, while the interior is apart!
Starts to show why a properly sorted 928 at $60-100K can be a pretty good deal.
Last edited by drooman; Dec 6, 2020 at 09:13 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 715
Likes: 17
From: Perth, Western Australia
Definitely do it yourself.
Unless you can get the car to one of the experts on this list, why pay someone else to learn how to do it, and finish up with a job done by someone who doesn't care about the car as much as you do?
Besides, when I pulled the seats from mine, I found 700 yen in coins, a Lego brick, and four hair elastics under the driver's seat! Win!
Unless you can get the car to one of the experts on this list, why pay someone else to learn how to do it, and finish up with a job done by someone who doesn't care about the car as much as you do?
Besides, when I pulled the seats from mine, I found 700 yen in coins, a Lego brick, and four hair elastics under the driver's seat! Win!
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 5
From: Orange, Cal
For various reasons mentioned, while you are already in there, etc, slow DIY might be best. OTOH if you are old and lazy, maybe practical is to split the job up with you doing critical prep and whatever else you think you can do best, and leave the nasty hang upside down smelling glue jobs for the shop.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 231
Likes: 7
From: Gainesville, Florida
Just realized I never thanked everyone for all of this great info and insight- so THANKS!
Sounds like the take away is DIY, 40-60 hrs, do some refurb while in there, and have the right adhesive.
Landseer I am in Gainesville, FL
and Ben- I'd love to hear an update or see pics of your experience installing!
John
Sounds like the take away is DIY, 40-60 hrs, do some refurb while in there, and have the right adhesive.
Landseer I am in Gainesville, FL
and Ben- I'd love to hear an update or see pics of your experience installing!
John