Restoration Basics
Q: What kinds of cars do you restore?
We specialize in vintage vehicles from 1905 to 1995—from brass-era antiques to mid-century icons, classic imports, and everything in between. If your car tells a story, we’re interested.
Q: Do you only do full restorations?
Not at all. While full, frame-off restorations are our bread and butter, we also take on partial restorations, mechanical overhauls, interior projects, and select individual systems—depending on your goals and the car’s condition.
Q: Can I choose how original or modified my restoration is?
Absolutely. Whether you want a completely stock build, a historically accurate factory-correct car, or a modern restomod with upgraded comfort and drivability, we tailor the project to your vision.
Pricing & Payment
Q: How much does a restoration cost?
Costs vary based on the car, condition, and the restoration tier you choose. Most full restorations fall in the $40,000–$200,000+ range. To eliminate guesswork and surprise costs, we follow a defined discovery and planning process before we begin.
Q: Do you charge for consultations?
Yes. We require a paid consultation that includes a discovery session, vehicle evaluation (virtual or in-person), and the creation of a custom project brief with a proposed scope, tier, timeline, and preliminary estimate. This ensures we’re aligned before either of us makes a bigger commitment.
Q: What payment terms do you offer?
Restoration work is billed weekly, but you’re never left guessing what you’re paying for. Each week, we schedule a brief phone consultation to review completed work, discuss any issues or discoveries, and agree on the plan for the following week. You approve the scope before the next phase begins—putting you in control every step of the way.
Scheduling & Timelines
Q: How long will my restoration take?
Project timelines range from 6 months to 3 years, depending on tier, complexity, and parts availability. You’ll receive an estimated timeline during the project planning phase—and we’re obsessive about tracking progress to avoid schedule overruns.
Q: How soon can you start?
Because we limit the number of projects we take on at once, our schedule can book out several months and sometimes longer. However, the earlier we receive your car, the sooner we can get started.
The Halsey Hill Process
Q: What’s your restoration process like?
At Halsey Hill Restorations, we don’t just fix cars—we bring them back to life with a level of structure, communication, and craftsmanship rarely seen in the industry. Our 5-stage restoration workflow ensures that no bolt goes untracked, no detail goes overlooked, and no customer is ever left wondering, “What’s happening with my car?”
Here’s how it works:
1. Discovery & Planning
Every project starts with a paid consultation and discovery session. We’ll get to know your vehicle, your vision, and your goals. From there, we build a custom project brief, restoration tier recommendation, timeline estimate, and preliminary budget. You’ll know exactly what to expect before a wrench is turned.
2. Teardown & Documentation
This is where the real story begins. We carefully disassemble the vehicle—photographing, labeling, and cataloging every part. Fasteners are sorted. Components are tracked. Potential surprises are flagged early. You get access to all this through your private client dashboard, so you’re in the loop from Day 1.
3. Restoration Phases
We divide the hands-on work into manageable, trackable phases:
- Metalwork & Fabrication – rust repair, panel shaping, frame integrity
- Mechanical Systems – drivetrain, brakes, suspension, steering
- Paint & Body – prep, priming, painting, cut and buff
- Interior Restoration – upholstery, dash, gauges, trim
You’ll see progress photos and weekly updates, and we won’t proceed without your approval.
4. Reassembly & Testing
We reassemble your vehicle using restored or reproduced parts, double-checking function, fit, and finish at every step. Then we road test it to ensure it not only looks beautiful—but drives like it should. Every wire, hose, and bolt gets inspected again before delivery.
5. Delivery & Orientation
When the project is complete, you’re not just handed the keys—you’re given the full story of the restoration. We walk you through the work, provide digital and printed documentation, and schedule a 30-day check-in to make sure you’re still in love. This isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a new one.
Logistics & Extras
Q: Can you help with transporting my car to your shop?
Yes. We offer transportation coordination throughout the U.S. and internationally. We also assist with customs, enclosed shipping, and transport insurance when needed.
Q: Do you help people find or sell classic cars?
Yes—we offer buying and selling assistance. Whether you’re searching for the right project vehicle or want help finding a new home for a finished car, we can help with sourcing, inspections, and sale prep.
Q: Do you offer rust removal or media blasting?
We do. Rust repair is a foundational part of many restorations. We also offer media blasting, chemical stripping, and modern rust prevention methods depending on your build’s needs.
Q: What other services do you offer?
In addition to core restorations, we offer:
- 3D modeling & custom part reproduction
- Component-level restoration (e.g., gauges, trim)
- Upholstery & interior work
- Custom wiring harnesses & electrical upgrades
Guarantees & Getting Started
Q: Is your work guaranteed?
Yes. All of our work comes with a written warranty, customized to the scope and systems involved. We’ll go over those details during your consultation.
Q: How do I get started?
Just contact us to schedule your consultation. We’ll guide you through the process from there.