8 replies to this topic

[ac427]

Has anyone on here used Dean's Mini's for bodywork or complete restoration?

 

http://www.deansminis.com/

 

[ac427]

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Edited by ac427, 28 September 2023 - 11:35 AM.

[Midas Mk1]

Saying the above comment when no one's commented is rather poor taste.

[Shooter63]

Why don't you just phone them and ask if you can go and have a look to see what they do, no doubt they will more than happy. On a side note I love the section on there website of why they changed their name, it tells you all you need to know about a certain company.

[stuart bowes]

that actually would make me more like likely to support them by giving them my business if I lived nearby and was in the market for someone to do repairs for me

 

everything about the descriptions and examples of work seems honest and genuine but I have no personal knowledge of 1st hand experience to share

[Littlefella]

I don't know the guy or have met him and can't comment on there work, however I did contact him last year when I was looking to buy my first Mini. He gave me some very honest sound advice and came across as genuinely nice person. For that reason if I did need some work doing in the future I would definitely consider contacting him again.

[Homersimpson]

Are they that bad?

As above if no one has used them then your not going to get a response, that doesn't meant that they are bad.  The best thing as suggested above is go and see them and talk about what you want, have a look at other cars they are doing but do bear in mind that a lot of restoration companies will do what the customer wants within reason so just because a car isn't being done to concourse standards doesn't necessarily mean they can't do that if thats what you want, its likely just that the customer and them have agreed a reasonable level that they can afford.-  For example they might be having the front replaced and painted and then next year have the doors done even though it all wants doing the customer is doing it as they can afford.

 

Once you have spoken to them you will find out if their waiting times and prices are comparable to others and in line with what you want. 

 

The most important thing is to agree a fixed time schedule for the work to be done and not to pay until you have something for it, even if its stage payments with you going to see it before you pay, for example, all the welding done, car in paint, car running, car complete might be reasonable.  Be careful paying up front for anything not fixed to the car like panels as they could be for anyones car, you need to see them welded to your car before paying.

 

Its also important to remember that when quoting they can't look beneath the skin and while they will likely be able to have an educated guess at what is required and in a lot of cases it might be obvious, its possible that additional works will be found that will incurr extra costs.  To make everything simple get them to set out exactly what their original quote includes for including panels to be changed, repaired etc. and then if something else comes up you have a record of what they said they were doing.

 

If everything is documented in writing with an agreed standard, payment dates etc. then you have something to fall back on if they don't perform and they in turn have comfort that if the car needs more work than they originally thought its all detailed. 

 

I don't know Deans minis but I know they have been in business for a long time and most business that stay in business for a very long time are pretty reasonable to deal with and keen to do a good job, its just making sure that everyone knows what is expect, when its expected by and how much its going to cost.

 

The other option is buy a welder and crack on!

[minimat]

I went and viewed a car there for sale around 20 odd years ago, i didn't buy it as it wasn't to my taste, have also bought a couple of second hand parts from him a lot of years ago, i don't remember much about him but he seemed friendly and helpful enough. 

[ac427]

Saying the above comment when no one's commented is rather poor taste.

I was only joking but I did forget the smiley face emoticon.

 

 

Why don't you just phone them and ask if you can go and have a look to see what they do, no doubt they will more than happy. On a side note I love the section on there website of why they changed their name, it tells you all you need to know about a certain company.

I will, i was just keen to find out some experiences from members on here.

 

 

that actually would make me more like likely to support them by giving them my business if I lived nearby and was in the market for someone to do repairs for me

 

everything about the descriptions and examples of work seems honest and genuine but I have no personal knowledge of 1st hand experience to share

I agree and i don't mind travelling to get the job done right.

 

 

I don't know the guy or have met him and can't comment on there work, however I did contact him last year when I was looking to buy my first Mini. He gave me some very honest sound advice and came across as genuinely nice person. For that reason if I did need some work doing in the future I would definitely consider contacting him again.

Sounds good, thank you.

 

 

 

Are they that bad?

As above if no one has used them then your not going to get a response, that doesn't meant that they are bad.  The best thing as suggested above is go and see them and talk about what you want, have a look at other cars they are doing but do bear in mind that a lot of restoration companies will do what the customer wants within reason so just because a car isn't being done to concourse standards doesn't necessarily mean they can't do that if thats what you want, its likely just that the customer and them have agreed a reasonable level that they can afford.-  For example they might be having the front replaced and painted and then next year have the doors done even though it all wants doing the customer is doing it as they can afford.

 

Once you have spoken to them you will find out if their waiting times and prices are comparable to others and in line with what you want. 

 

The most important thing is to agree a fixed time schedule for the work to be done and not to pay until you have something for it, even if its stage payments with you going to see it before you pay, for example, all the welding done, car in paint, car running, car complete might be reasonable.  Be careful paying up front for anything not fixed to the car like panels as they could be for anyones car, you need to see them welded to your car before paying.

 

Its also important to remember that when quoting they can't look beneath the skin and while they will likely be able to have an educated guess at what is required and in a lot of cases it might be obvious, its possible that additional works will be found that will incurr extra costs.  To make everything simple get them to set out exactly what their original quote includes for including panels to be changed, repaired etc. and then if something else comes up you have a record of what they said they were doing.

 

If everything is documented in writing with an agreed standard, payment dates etc. then you have something to fall back on if they don't perform and they in turn have comfort that if the car needs more work than they originally thought its all detailed. 

 

I don't know Deans minis but I know they have been in business for a long time and most business that stay in business for a very long time are pretty reasonable to deal with and keen to do a good job, its just making sure that everyone knows what is expect, when its expected by and how much its going to cost.

 

The other option is buy a welder and crack on!

 

It was meant as a mildly amusing comment but i did forget the smiley. Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll ring them to a arrange a visit.

 

I went and viewed a car there for sale around 20 odd years ago, i didn't buy it as it wasn't to my taste, have also bought a couple of second hand parts from him a lot of years ago, i don't remember much about him but he seemed friendly and helpful enough. 

Ta

Edited by ac427, 28 September 2023 - 12:05 PM.