How Much Does It Cost To Fully Customize A Car? 

As there are so many cars, with varying degrees of aftermarket parts support (from replacement parts to performance upgrades), varying degrees of parts availability due to rareness, rarity or desirability, that’s a difficult question to put a definite dollar value to.

You need to make sure it has a good base in order to really pimp a car like on these big TV shows. That means ensuring that the car is running properly, that it is not rusted to pieces, that all the suspension is in good condition and balanced, that the engine / transmission / axles are all working properly, etc. But that can easily cost anywhere from $1000 to $5000 just in parts if the car is in poor condition, let alone the cost of labor.

Add in custom modifications like paint (from $5000-$20000 for a professional job) body work (another $2000-$5000+ depending), performance modifications ($2000-$5000+ again), custom suspensions ($2000-$5000+ for hydraulics, airbags to lifted off road suspensions), wheels and tires (some wheel sets can be $10,000+ for all 4, plus another $1200-$1500 for tires for the big rim sizes), custom stereo setups with video monitors (another couple grand) and it starts to add up really quick.

These products typically cost around the price (around $20,000-$50,000) of a new car or truck. Sponsorship agreements cover a lot of the expense of the show much of the time, which is why you can see the boxes of parts with the brand logos shown prominently as they are rolled into the store during the construction scenes, all facing the camera. This is why you can see some cool modified cars with lots of company stickers on them, as they could not have afforded their own money to build the car that way (some individuals do it to appear like they still have a sponsored race car, so beware of people with more money than brains).

basic list of some things for you to consider when thinking about your budget for your next custom build.

  • Collect your revenue vs. costs and decide how much you can afford to spend on building a custom car, custom truck, lowrider, or off-road vehicle.
  • Would you buy the vehicle you are going to customize or will you change a vehicle you already own?
  • Using programs on your computer, or on paper, create a spreadsheet that will allow you to categorize spending for your next custom build. For instance, decide how much you want to spend on the actual purchase of the vehicle or truck you want to change. For eg, you should also have a section just for the engine to list how much you estimate you need to spend on maintenance, results, and dress up, or restrict yourself to it. For the interior, body / bodywork, chassis, suspension, or everything you can think of to categorize, do the same. Do your very best to stick to your custom building’s intended budget, but try not to cut too many corners.
  • For those times when the fool parking next to you opens their door too far, the cost of insuring your Custom Ride! Insurance can be very costly , especially on tall off-road vehicles, so consider this when planning your custom building budget.
  • Big batches of gas are equivalent. The price of gas should certainly be taken into account in the budget for your custom construction, whether it’s a large-block engine, a large “Lead Sled,” or a large SUV.
  • The cost of recruiting someone to do some of the work for you should be assured. There might be a time when the task-at-hand is something you don’t know how to do or don’t know about, and maybe because you don’t have the right equipment (maybe welding, or assembling a cylinder head) to do the job.
  • If you intend to sell your custom ride upon completion, another factor to include in the budget for your custom construction is. This will help offset your expenses if you consider the money you can recover upon selling your custom car. Bear in mind that if you intend to sell your custom build, whether you build this custom for someone who has decided to pay you for your services, or you are very good at custom car manufacturing and people want what you have built, it is very possible that you will not get all of your invested money back.
  • The procurement of custom car parts and accessories is another essential aspect of your budget to remember. If you try to prepare what you need and where you can buy it at affordable rates, you will truly save yourself some time and money. 

Are You Looking for an Independent Car Customization Expert You Can Trust?

If you’re considering modifying your car with a local mechanic trusted by thousands of happy customers, look no further than autoTECH Blackhawk. Why? We differ from other automotive repair stops because we are a relationship shop. This means that the more of your car repair needs we support you with, the better able we are to customize our recommendations based on your driving habits and needs. One of our favorite things is helping you customize your vehicle.  Every vehicle that the owner Kacey Copeland has ever owned is different than every other one on the road (including Catherine’s Honda Fit!). We can help you design something that captures your personality or install cosmetic touches you’ve fallen in love with. From performance exhaust to mud flaps, trailer hitches to side skirts we can’t wait to help you make your car one-of-a-kind. Contact us now to book your no-contact, friendly appointment! We truly value your trust and your business, so thank you for staying local with your auto customization needs.

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