Bollardgate latest quote £8250!!!!

[Zebedee]

Thought I ought to get at least 1 more quote on the work required to repair poor Zebedee.....took nearly a week and 4 chasing phone calls to be told 5 weeks off the road, no courtesy car, and £8250!!!! Extra ouch!

 

[motacyclist]

Some people may not want to work on a vehicle with the complications of the kitchen having to be removed, and price themselves out of it deliberately. If you had to chase them like that they are probably not interested. Steer clear, imagine once they have your Cali in their workshop how frustrating a company like that would be.

Memo to myself: If damaging Cali, do it on the offside!

 

[Ajspicer]

I am really surprised at what I have read in this post, to repair a standard Transporters side panel would cost nowhere near the quotes you have received. Having removed and refitted a kitchen and cupboard on numerous occasions and know of a company in Cornwall that remove and refit as partof their California build process on a regular basis, I would be seriously tempted to have the kitchen and surrounding trim removed by one group and have the repair carried out by another to save £thousands.

 

[777111]

I am really surprised at what I have read in this post, to repair a standard Transporters side panel would cost nowhere near the quotes you have received. Having removed and refitted a kitchen and cupboard on numerous occasions and know of a company in Cornwall that remove and refit as partof their California build process on a regular basis, I would be seriously tempted to have the kitchen and surrounding trim removed by one group and have the repair carried out by another to save £thousands.

Yeah, I think this suggestion has a good deal of merit.
Unless you can take it to someone like SMG (who I would trust to oversee the full process) even a decent body shop could be well out of their depth with removing the furniture - could easily end badly.
Having said that , cant an experienced VW Cali dealership do the removal then pass the shell to a bodyshop?

Staggering sum of money - hope all our insurance doesn't suddenly go up!

 

[MichaelB]

Yeah, I think this suggestion has a good deal of merit.
Unless you can take it to someone like SMG (who I would trust to oversee the full process) even a decent body shop could be well out of their depth with removing the furniture - could easily end badly.
Having said that , cant an experienced VW Cali dealership do the removal then pass the shell to a bodyshop?

Staggering sum of money - hope all our insurance doesn't suddenly go up!

Hertiage in Westbury had removed the kitchen for me as part of some work and the body shop across the road is doing roof repairs for VW. You never know if you are waiting for a roof repair as well you could get that done into the bargain.

 

[CaliCrazy]

Hi Zebedee, I've just had an incident very similar to yours and yes, they want to take out the kitchen unit etc in order to repair it. I can't stop worrying about it and I'm so mad about my moment of distraction! Just wondering how you went on with your repair? The vw approved body shop won't touch the kitchen, just the panel repair. Any advice appreciated!

 

[2into1]

cant an experienced VW Cali dealership

That's the problem with the Cali full stop! There aren't any in the UK.

I'd work with the Cornish company. They must know some good local paint shops. You'll probably have £6k to spend on a holiday whilst it all happens.

 

[Silver5urfer]

Can I ask which Cornish company you guys are referring to so that I know who to go to if I need any work done.
If you are looking for a good body shop in cornwall, I can highly recommend K J Rule and son at Nanpean, I had the Tailgate replaced and rear bumper re-sprayed (don't ask!). They did a superb job, cant see any sign that it has been done.

 

[Ajspicer]

I think the Cornish company referred to might be Kernow Transporters. He knows the California inside out and could probably have the kitchen out in an hour or two.

When I visited him a year or so ago he had about 4 unmarked donor kitchens awaiting sale or to go into a Transporter.

 

[Zebedee]

Although it cost a fortune all went well. The VW approved body shop did indeed remove everything .....they said if they had known how much work it was going to be they would not have taken on the job as they probably made a loss on it! What they did say was that it was INCREDIBLY well put together. And it all went back together fine. Good luck

 

[CaliCrazy]

Thanks for getting back to me. I've been recommended Crossleys Coachcraft in Leyland by my insurance company for the interior to be removed/refitted by. Then it's off to Swansway body shop in Crewe for the panel work who are VW approved. It's giving me nightmares!!