FAQ's

• Start talking with us approximately 60-90 days before the project’s estimated delivery date.  This will allow us to discuss materials, design, custom work, pricing and production timeline.  Once the final design and estimate are agreed upon, we will secure a deposit to hold your place on the production schedule. 

• Schedule your project at least two months in advance of a major show you are attending.  There is always a surge of inquiries in the weeks prior to the major car shows.  Headliner will always try to accommodate our clients but our floor space is limited.  We operate on a “first come, first serve” basis and we may not be able to complete your vehicle if not scheduled in advance.  

• For the 2012 car show season, consider scheduling your vehicle during the 4th quarter 2011 or 1st quarter of next year so you will be ahead of the busy season.

• Headliner completes approximately 2-3 vehicles per month depending on complexity of the project.  It is very important to keep your vehicle’s delivery date (to our shop) intact.  A delay in delivery disrupts the schedule, causes issues for our other clients and can postpone your completion date.  If you are unable to make your delivery date, please let us know a minimum of 3 weeks in advance.

• A full basic interior installation (basic: headliner, seats, door panels and carpet) takes approximately 2-3 weeks to complete (from the date we start the project).

• A full custom interior installation (custom: headliner, custom designed and modified seats, door panels, trunk finish out, audio and console) can take 6-8 weeks to complete (from start date).

                                                           Budgeting for your interior:

Establishing an interior budget is a key step in the planning process.  This will allow us to determine the design, materials selection and the complexity of your interior.  Headliner offers a variety of interior options to fit your project’s budget.  A couple of suggestions around the topic of budget:

• If you have a limited budget, consider working on the interior in phases. This allows you to achieve the quality standard you’re looking for while spreading the cost over a period of time.  Talk with us about how you can do your interior in phases and still save on the cost of installation.

• Spend your money where you will get the most benefit.  Having a nice set of custom seats installed will dramatically affect the look of your interior. 

• Change your material selection.  Selecting Vinyl vs. Leather will help reduce your material expense and can also reduce your labor expense because Vinyl is typically easier to work with.

While we recognize that keeping your budget in tact is very important, also keep in mind that you want a finished project you can be proud of.  We often encounter clients who were over their project budget before they started their interior so they settled for the “lowest bidder” only to be disappointed in their interior or worse, they have the double expense to re-do the work.

Kits vs. Modified:

Interior Kit:

Headliner will install an interior kit.    When comparing kit installation pricing, keep in mind that many interior shops will install a kit cover directly over your existing seat without treating the seat frame (for rust), repairing broken springs or rebuilding the foam. 

Carpet Kits generally do not fit well.  When having a carpet kit installed, Headliner will typically re-work the jute and trim the carpet to fit for a tailored look.  This may cost a little more but will achieve a finished look.

Modified Original:

Headliner can also install a modified interior that resembles the original but we customize the seats to include bolstering (for better fit & comfort), headrests, seat frame restoration & shape modification.  In addition, the client has the option to select a higher quality vinyl & carpet (than available in a standard kit).  Using a modified original method allows for an interior that resembles the original but has a modern feel.

Full Custom Interior:

A custom interior delivers a one-of-a-kind interior made especially for you.   The sky is the limit.

Material Selection:

 Leather: 

• Most expensive material selection
• Requires more maintenance than vinyl or ultra-leather
• Requested frequently for high end show cars (vs. daily drivers)
• Labor is typically higher on leather because it is more difficult to work with (requiring more labor hours).

 Ultra Leather:

• Less expensive than leather/more expensive than vinyl
• Good for show car or daily driver
• Soft, durable and doesn’t retain as much heat as leather or vinyl

 Vinyl:

• Most cost effective material selection
• Minimal maintenance required
• High quality vinyl will mimic the look of leather (pattern selected by client)
• Good for daily drivers or show cars

Parts and Accessories:

Project estimates do not include parts such as window cranks, door handles, door sills, interior lighting, A/C fittings, sunvisor brackets or seat belts.  To avoid delays, select and order your parts prior to our project start date or immediately upon delivery of vehicle to Headliner.   Headliner can order your accessories for you at an additional charge.  All additional parts and accessories (ordered by Headliner) require full payment at time of order placement (parts + shipping).  In addition, due to limited floor space, if a part is on backorder and causes a delay, you may be required to pick up the vehicle and return when the part arrives.

Heat & Sound Proofing:

Headliner installs heat & sound proofing.  Standard installation includes doors (inner & outer skins), firewall & floor.  Many clients also choose to install heat/soundproofing on the roof and in the trunk.  We install with a 1” overlay for full coverage.  In order to reduce the cost, many shops strategically place heat/soundproofing in the car but do not completely cover the cab with an overlay.  Be aware of this when pricing installation.

Paint or interior first?

Option 1: 
  
Headliner can complete a large portion of the interior without having the vehicle in-house.  For a basic installation, we will remove the seats, door panels and headliner to start the project while the vehicle is being painted.  Once the project is onsite, we will complete the carpet, audio installation, console and trunk finish out.  Using this approach will reduce the amount of time your vehicle is in-house.

Option 2: 

Headliner can install your interior prior to paint if the painter/builder has painted the interior of the vehicle (cab interior, dash & door jams).