Harder to get custom exhaust work done

[T3rminator]

Anyone else finding it getting harder and harder to get custom exhaust work done these days?

Quite a few past reputable places have ceased custom work, and instead have gone to mass produced off the shelf products, and now do installs only. If you want any slight customisation, they don't want to know about it.

Of the few places that actually still do custom work, they are charging an arm and a leg! Whats the deal?

Recently asked a shop to weld a small muffler onto a delete pipe, which I provided. We decided to use a 2nd hand muffler as that was the only size that would fit in the location. $400! WTF.

Not only that, when I asked if they could make some additional slight alterations, the blokes in his shop started complaining about the dificulty. The manager (who use to be fabricator) pulled me into his office for a chat and said "You and I know its not a difficult job, but if I argue with those blokes, they will walk".....apparently shops can't find people to do the work either. How hard is it to stick a welder onto a metal and press the trigger?

[Franco Cozzo]

Sharp Exhausts in Sunbury still does custom work and is reasonably priced still, although he loves putting big *** stickers on your rear windscreen

The light vehicle automotive repair industry is toasted, it's lost a lot of its skills base.

They'd be prioritising high margin work, they make more money on selling things off the shelf and doing basic fitment work than doing custom work where it's labour intensive with price sensitive customers.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Sharp Exhausts in Sunbury still does custom work and is reasonably priced still, although he loves putting big *** stickers on your rear windscreen

The light vehicle automotive repair industry is toasted, it's lost a lot of its skills base.

They'd be prioritising high margin work, they make more money on selling things off the shelf and doing basic fitment work than doing custom work where it's labour intensive with price sensitive customers.

Quake zone is a bit of a drive. I've had to resort to some FB market place fabricators for current minor work. haha Lets see how it goes. I'm not optimistic, but the guy has a hoist, so might be half decent.

If I remember correctly, the shop that did the last job for me said he has to pay his workers $2k a week. That's not bad mullah.

[zilo]

Exhaust Bros in Geelong will, and have, done anything you require....while you wait.

In my case they TIG welded two custom turbo dump pipes while I drank their free coffee.

[Hulsty]

I had a similar situation maybe 2 years back, asked around a couple of locals, either not interested or I wouldn't trust them to do the work to an acceptable standard. Spoke with the Valiant workshop and they suggested Yarra Valley Exhaust. I've got a Hemi 6, with a 6 into 2 system with mufflers just before the rear diff, under the passenger seat the exhaust dropped way low and always scrapped.

Went into Yarra Valley Exhaust, old bloke behind the counter, explained what I wanted (lift the exhaust ~2inches), $150. Dropped it off overnight, picked it up and he showed me what he'd done, cut the exhaust off at the secondary's, bolt together flanges, nice tight system under the floor and replaced pipes all the way to the mufflers, painted block, great job. Went to pay, pulled out some notes "paying cash, make it $120", couldnt be happier.


Regarding welders, I work for a large fabrication company, getting welders is tough, even getting unskilled people to train is tough, we ended up moving to Australia welders from our Thailand sites, just couldnt get people. Last I head was 16 or so people we had bought over.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by Hulsty

I had a similar situation maybe 2 years back, asked around a couple of locals, either not interested or I wouldn't trust them to do the work to an acceptable standard. Spoke with the Valiant workshop and they suggested Yarra Valley Exhaust. I've got a Hemi 6, with a 6 into 2 system with mufflers just before the rear diff, under the passenger seat the exhaust dropped way low and always scrapped.

Went into Yarra Valley Exhaust, old bloke behind the counter, explained what I wanted (lift the exhaust ~2inches), $150. Dropped it off overnight, picked it up and he showed me what he'd done, cut the exhaust off at the secondary's, bolt together flanges, nice tight system under the floor and replaced pipes all the way to the mufflers, painted block, great job. Went to pay, pulled out some notes "paying cash, make it $120", couldnt be happier.


Regarding welders, I work for a large fabrication company, getting welders is tough, even getting unskilled people to train is tough, we ended up moving to Australia welders from our Thailand sites, just couldnt get people. Last I head was 16 or so people we had bought over.

Thats more than a decent price for the job. Might give them a bell for the next job, though I'm expecting the price to have hiked. One of the places I used to frequent, use to do the same re: cash payments, but doesn't do it anymore, maybe became too risky. Spoke to him a few months ago, he tried to pass the business onto his son, but his son had no interest. Had to come out of retirement to keep the business going, cos it was making too much $$$ to let go.

As a comparison, a few weeks ago I was ringing around to get a price on just to swap the rear section of my v8 exhaust over. I have the parts (including bolts and gaskets), no fabrication needed, I just needed someone with a hoist to get the rear section out and in....its too tight and tricky job on the BAs to do on stands. The cheapest quote I got was $170!

[roKWiz]

The price you pay for labour these days.

[Hulsty]

Labour rate at 4x4 workshop over the road is $150 an hour, nothing special, just a normal workshop working on GQ,GU Patrols.

Was at the radiator shop last week too, similar, old bloke running it, ~4 years ago did my Valiant radiator, aussie made copper 3 row core, $300 out the door. Now, $500-$600 JUST FOR THE CORE!

[Jack91]

Yeah its pretty nuts. Local shop to me wanted 4-5k for a pretty simple system for my bronco. I did want 316 1.6mm though i suppose but thats still crazy money.
I bought a hoist and did it myself, better than they ever could have and got a free hoist.
Materials (if you had to pay for them) wouldve been maybe $500.



Honestly did think about going into it though, its easy work (im a tig welder).
I have come to the realisation that given enough time I / anyone willing can always do better than any trade or specialists apart from aircraft pilots and brain surgeons, and i think i could work a scalpel pretty decent.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by Hulsty

Labour rate at 4x4 workshop over the road is $150 an hour, nothing special, just a normal workshop working on GQ,GU Patrols.

Was at the radiator shop last week too, similar, old bloke running it, ~4 years ago did my Valiant radiator, aussie made copper 3 row core, $300 out the door. Now, $500-$600 JUST FOR THE CORE!

Should try $210 an hour here in ACT, plus GST booked out for 4 weeks as well. He only pays his mechanics award rate.

Businesses want to make easy money. Doing a custom exhaust isn't easy. Selling an off the shelf one for 100% mark up and then charging fitting is very easy.

I'm very thankful for my mate who has made my last 3 custom exhausts, without him, it would have been off the shelf that don't make less power.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Anyone else finding it getting harder and harder to get custom exhaust work done these days?

Quite a few past reputable places have ceased custom work, and instead have gone to mass produced off the shelf products, and now do installs only. If you want any slight customisation, they don't want to know about it.

Of the few places that actually still do custom work, they are charging an arm and a leg! Whats the deal?

Recently asked a shop to weld a small muffler onto a delete pipe, which I provided. We decided to use a 2nd hand muffler as that was the only size that would fit in the location. $400! WTF.

Not only that, when I asked if they could make some additional slight alterations, the blokes in his shop started complaining about the dificulty. The manager (who use to be fabricator) pulled me into his office for a chat and said "You and I know its not a difficult job, but if I argue with those blokes, they will walk".....apparently shops can't find people to do the work either. How hard is it to stick a welder onto a metal and press the trigger?

I am not sure how your budget is, or if you are prepared to travel but Lionel West in Castlemaine did my 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust for the XP

[Citroënbender]

Give it a decade and people will be whining about the cost of having custom made cryo copper cables fitted to their nineteen year old Teslas. “I mean, how hard is it to operate a crimper?”

[PG2]

I do get why businesses are moving away from custom work. Some of the stuff that you may need to do custom work is; welder, pipe bender, metal cutter etc. These tools are very expensive but are still probably the cheapest bit. Then you have to consider; having a larger workshop for the extra room for the tools, ensuring that your staff are adequately trained, PPE and WHS. Then there is the maintenance of the tooling, for example, purchase of consumables (welder gas, blades etc). On top of that, the administration of the tooling; purchasing, taxation etc.

[Citroënbender]

There’s also a lot of lost motion; I’ve been using the place recommended by Wiz a bit and the knowledgeable people are consistently called to respond to inquiries that require experienced discussion, not counter staff looking up a catalogue or estimating book.

…Plus the all-too-frequent expectation of near immediate service!

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

There’s also a lot of lost motion; I’ve been using the place recommended by Wiz a bit and the knowledgeable people are consistently called to respond to inquiries that require experienced discussion, not counter staff looking up a catalogue or estimating book.

…Plus the all-too-frequent expectation of near immediate service!

Funny you say that. Spoke to another mob 2 weeks ago, they did a custom job for my T3 TE50 all those years ago, when asked why they have gone to "install only", the owner said something similar. Not enough money in it. He said usually customers will spend an hour talking and debating about what they want, then his own workers will debate for another hour how to best to do it, and before you know it its 2 hours of talking and no work has started, and its time you can't charge the customer

Having said that, he mentioned that there has been so many enquiries recently, they are thinking of starting up custom jobs again.

The little job I gave to some random on FB market place has turned out pretty darn good. THe kid has done a very good job, albeit simple, was just to make a link (H) pipe. Clean cuts and the weld seems good. Said he does it as a hobby, and uses his mate's workshop. There are more and more of these guys advertising now.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Funny you say that. Spoke to another mob 2 weeks ago, they did a custom job for my T3 TE50 all those years ago, when asked why they have gone to "install only", the owner said something similar. Not enough money in it. He said usually customers will spend an hour talking and debating about what they want, then his own workers will debate for another hour how to best to do it, and before you know it its 2 hours of talking and no work has started, and its time you can't charge the customer

Having said that, he mentioned that there has been so many enquiries recently, they are thinking of starting up custom jobs again.

The little job I gave to some random on FB market place has turned out pretty darn good. THe kid has done a very good job, albeit simple, was just to make a link (H) pipe. Clean cuts and the weld seems good. Said he does it as a hobby, and uses his mate's workshop. There are more and more of these guys advertising now.

Just like any small business weighing up their options on what pays and what doesn't.
Lets face it old cars or anything custom is going to take up so much more time chasing stuff which is their time better spent bolting stock stuff together and getting it out the door.
Then there's the matter of space, no busy shop wants something not being worked on taking up real estate while they are knocking back easy money jobs.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by PG2

I do get why businesses are moving away from custom work. Some of the stuff that you may need to do custom work is; welder, pipe bender, metal cutter etc. These tools are very expensive but are still probably the cheapest bit. Then you have to consider; having a larger workshop for the extra room for the tools, ensuring that your staff are adequately trained, PPE and WHS. Then there is the maintenance of the tooling, for example, purchase of consumables (welder gas, blades etc). On top of that, the administration of the tooling; purchasing, taxation etc.

The staff is 100% the most difficult part. Try and get good staff these days, you'll find it difficult.

Add in that here in Victoria the state government is anti small business...and will stay in power forever because the opposition is pathetic.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by ToryMikey

The staff is 100% the most difficult part. Try and get good staff these days, you'll find it difficult.

Add in that here in Victoria the state government is anti small business...and will stay in power forever because the opposition is pathetic.

100% staff, 80% gov?

On the staff front, will the "big" immigration see changes in the industry?

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

100% staff, 80% gov?

On the staff front, will the "big" immigration see changes in the industry?

Don't know where all the "big" immigration is going to live ? In the big business factories I guess, like India and China.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Don't know where all the "big" immigration is going to live ? In the big business factories I guess, like India and China.

Why not, backpackers that want to stay more than 12 months are doing that now anyways.

But more likely, they will buy your houses and pay you handsomely. Then that problem becomes yours

[JGP]

Try Carnegie Muffler & Brakes, they were going to fabricate adapter pipes btw my CES split dump and SS exhaust. They actually quoted the same price as off the shelf adapter pipes but needed the car for a day to measure up correctly.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Why not, backpackers that want to stay more than 12 months are doing that now anyways.

What, living in factories ?

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

What, living in factories ?

Was said in jest... Kind of. But yeh they have to work in farms if they want more than 12 months.. Farms... Factories... What's the difference.

There have been reports of people being forced to sleep in barns, hey if you wanna stay, don't complain

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Just like any small business weighing up their options on what pays and what doesn't.
Lets face it old cars or anything custom is going to take up so much more time chasing stuff which is their time better spent bolting stock stuff together and getting it out the door.
Then there's the matter of space, no busy shop wants something not being worked on taking up real estate while they are knocking back easy money jobs.

If it was me I'd have stuff ready to go off the shelf for the popular Thailand Specials, then if it was quiet take on the custom stuff that's more time intensive, the other side of taking on time intensive jobs is opportunity cost, the time you sink in custom work you could have done five Thailand Specials for off the shelf intercooler piping and turbo back exhausts that you make high margins on.

Rent on a commercial premises costs an arm and a leg too these days, plus even if you're in an industrial estate you end up in fights and arguments with flogs like gyms moving into the area then complaining about loud customer cars or you parking customers cars in the street

You'll see a lot of services advertising on Facebook communities working out of home, I used the services of a metal fab guy to tig weld some brackets to go on Yarra Trams E class tram, dropped the stuff off to his house in Fawkner and the guy did a MINT job, way better than our usual metal fab contractor.

Everyone complaining about lack of staff but I'm competing against 50-100 applicants on apprenticeship positions at the moment, so there's lots of people keen on work, just probably not working at an exhaust shop.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Was said in jest... Kind of. But yeh they have to work in farms if they want more than 12 months.. Farms... Factories... What's the difference.

There have been reports of people being forced to sleep in barns, hey if you wanna stay, don't complain

Most of the skilled visa migration guys I worked with did time on farms and they all went through getting paid nothing and the nothing they got paid they gave back in over the top 'accomodation' fees for horrid living conditions.

They came in on working holiday visas, did the time on farms out regional to get the visa extension then found an employer willing to sponsor them on skilled migration visas to stay in Australia.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

If it was me I'd have stuff ready to go off the shelf for the popular Thailand Specials, then if it was quiet take on the custom stuff that's more time intensive, the other side of taking on time intensive jobs is opportunity cost, the time you sink in custom work you could have done five Thailand Specials for off the shelf intercooler piping and turbo back exhausts that you make high margins on.

Rent on a commercial premises costs an arm and a leg too these days, plus even if you're in an industrial estate you end up in fights and arguments with flogs like gyms moving into the area then complaining about loud customer cars or you parking customers cars in the street

You'll see a lot of services advertising on Facebook communities working out of home, I used the services of a metal fab guy to tig weld some brackets to go on Yarra Trams E class tram, dropped the stuff off to his house in Fawkner and the guy did a MINT job, way better than our usual metal fab contractor.

Everyone complaining about lack of staff but I'm competing against 50-100 applicants on apprenticeship positions at the moment, so there's lots of people keen on work, just probably not working at an exhaust shop.

Kind of what I was saying about all small business, not just automotive.