Building a Restomod: Time, Money & Skill

Restomods—classic cars upgraded with modern performance, comfort, and safety—are one of the hottest trends in automotive culture. But if you’ve ever dreamed of turning an old muscle car, truck, or classic cruiser into a head-turning restomod, one question comes up quickly: how much does it really cost to build one?

The answer depends on three key factors: time, money, and skill. Let’s break down what you can expect depending on where you land on each.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Restomod?

On average, a full restomod build takes 2–3 years if handled at a steady pace. This timeline depends on parts availability, complexity, and how much time you personally dedicate to the project.

• Weekend Warriors: If you’re only working on the car during weekends, expect the project to stretch to 3+ years.
• Full-Time Hobbyists: If you can dedicate multiple days a week, you might finish closer to 18–24 months.
• Shops with Dedicated Staff: Professional builders often complete restomods in 12–18 months, depending on scope.

Time is the first filter: if you don’t have enough of it, outsourcing becomes the only viable option.

The Role of Skill in Restomod Costs

Skill is the second factor. Restomods require welding, fabrication, wiring, suspension tuning, paintwork, and more. If you’ve already built cars before or have a background in mechanics, you can save tens of thousands of dollars by handling much of the work yourself.

However, if your skill set is limited to bolt-on upgrades, you’ll likely need to outsource heavy lifting like bodywork, engine swaps, and custom interiors.

Cost Ranges by Time, Money, and Skill

Here’s where everything comes together. Let’s look at three scenarios.

1. DIY Build – Time and Skill on Your Side

• Estimated Build Cost: At least $100K
• What You’re Paying For: The price of donor cars can obviously vary greatly. Are you looking to restomod a car that’s abundant like a 1965 Ford Falcon, or are you looking for something more rare like a 1968 Dodge Charger? You could be paying as low as $5K or higher than $50K just for the platform you want to start with. Add to that the parts: aftermarket suspension, brakes, crate engine or rebuilt motor, interior refresh, paint materials. Set the expectation that all these parts should be high quality. Don’t skimp out on cheap aftermarket parts that could jeopardize the safety and longevity of your vehicle.
• Who This Fits: Enthusiasts with mechanical knowledge, tools, and enough free time to take on a multi-year project.

2. Hybrid Build – Some DIY, Some Shop Work

• Estimated Build Cost: It depends! Your skill level will affect the price a lot here, so we can’t give an exact number. Most tinkerers will know how to do simple jobs like bolt on upgrades, but complex tasks like engine building, painting, upholstery, and heavy fabrication may not be in the wheelhouse of the weekend warrior. However, if you are proficient in at least some of these fields of auto mechanics you may still be able to save some money while having a shop do the heavy lifting. Let’s say you’ll probably expect a total
• What You’re Paying For: Same as above, plus professional labor for things like bodywork, paint, wiring, engine building or fabrication. Labor rates typically range $75–$150/hour but can exceed $200/hour in major cities.
• Who This Fits: Owners who have moderate skills but don’t want to take on everything themselves—or those who lack time but want to reduce shop hours by tackling smaller projects.

3. Full Professional Build – Money Over Time

• Estimated Build Cost: $300,000+
• What You’re Paying For: Turn-key build from a professional shop, including full teardown, rust repair, high-end paint, performance drivetrain swap, suspension tuning, and custom interior.
• Who This Fits: Owners who want show-quality results without waiting years or turning a wrench.
  

The Big Takeaway

When asking, “how much does it cost to build a restomod?” the honest answer is:

• ~$100k minimum if you have the time and skill to build it yourself.
• ~$200k minimum if you split the work between DIY and shops.
• ~$300k minimum if you want a full professional build.

Your decision ultimately depends on the triangle of time, money, and skill. If you have two of the three, the third becomes manageable. If you lack both time and skill, you’ll need the money to make it happen.

Final Thoughts

Building a restomod is never cheap—but it’s one of the most rewarding ways to bring a classic car back to life while enjoying modern performance. Whether you’re chasing a budget-friendly DIY project or commissioning a six-figure shop build, knowing where you stand with time, money, and skill will set your expectations (and your budget) in the right lane.

If you’re not in a financial position to build a restomod of your own but you want to own one, you just might score the keys to one by entering to win one at RestoMods.com!