What is the process to get interior work done?Our process is structured to keep every project organized and transparent from the initial request through completion. If you're interested in having interior restoration or customization work completed, the first step is always to submit an Estimate Request through our website.You do not need to call or email us before requesting an estimate.1️⃣ Submit an Estimate RequestEvery project begins with an Estimate Request through our website.The form allows you to provide information about your vehicle, the work you're interested in having completed, the condition of your existing parts, material and finish preferences, photos, and other details we need to evaluate the project.Once submitted, we review the information provided. If we need additional information or clarification before preparing the estimate, we'll contact you.2️⃣ Review Your EstimateOnce we've reviewed your request, we'll prepare an estimate based on the information available at that time.Estimates are not quotes or guaranteed final prices. Restoration work is billed based on the actual labor time and materials required to complete the work. The initial estimate provides an expected scope and cost based on the information and photos available before we physically have the parts or vehicle.If you decide you'd like to move forward, you can proceed with scheduling an appointment.3️⃣ Schedule Your AppointmentAn appointment deposit is required to reserve a place on our schedule. The amount may vary depending on the size and scope of the project.Once the appointment deposit is paid, your project is officially scheduled.Appointments represent a scheduled production period rather than a guarantee that work will begin at an exact time on a specific day.4️⃣ Pre-Appointment Check-InAs your appointment approaches, we'll contact you with instructions and any information needed to prepare for the project.For shipped projects, this is when you'll prepare your parts for shipment so they arrive around the appropriate time. For vehicle drop-offs, we'll coordinate the applicable arrival information.Any required special-order materials may also need to be selected, ordered, and paid for before work begins.5️⃣ Parts or Vehicle Arrive & Are InspectedOnce the applicable parts or vehicle arrive, we can physically inspect their condition and compare what is actually present with the information used to prepare the original estimate.If the condition, project scope, required repairs, materials, or other factors differ from what was originally anticipated, the estimate may be revised before work begins.This is one reason an estimate should never be interpreted as a guaranteed final price.6️⃣ Final Authorization & Labor DepositOnce the project has been physically reviewed and the applicable scope is confirmed, we'll provide any necessary revised estimate or project information for approval.The applicable labor deposit and any required special-order material costs must be paid before production begins.The appointment deposit reserves your scheduled position. The labor deposit is separate and is applied toward the project as work begins.7️⃣ Restoration, Repair, Upholstery & RefinishingOnce authorized, work begins.Restoration and customization work is billed based on the actual labor time and materials required for your individual project rather than flat-rate pricing.Labor time is tracked as the work is performed, and materials and shop supplies used during the project are also tracked and billed accordingly.Depending on the size and duration of the project, progress invoices may be issued while work is underway. These invoices are due upon receipt so work can continue without unnecessary delays.8️⃣ Completion & Final InvoiceOnce the project is complete, the remaining balance is calculated based on the actual labor, materials, supplies, applicable parts, and other project costs, less payments and credits already applied.If the completed parts need to be shipped back to you, return shipping and any applicable packaging or freight costs are added at this stage.Photos or video of the completed work may also be provided before return.9️⃣ Payment & ReturnOnce the final invoice has been paid in full, the completed parts or vehicle can be released.For shipped projects, everything is carefully packaged and returned using the applicable shipping or freight method.Project documentation and invoices provide a record of the work and charges associated with the project.Ready to get started?You do not need to email or call us first. If you're interested in having work completed or want to know what your project may cost, submit an Estimate Request through our website. That's the correct place to begin.

Our estimate process is straightforward. We start by preparing a basic estimate based on the information you provide — what you’d like done, the condition of your parts, and any specific materials or custom options you want.Once your parts arrive, we perform a thorough visual inspection (without disassembly) to verify their condition, material choices, and any unique requirements. If any adjustments are needed after inspection, we update the estimate and resend it for your review and approval before moving forward.Please understand that estimates are not quotes. We always aim to make them as accurate as possible, but in trade work, hidden issues can sometimes appear once a job is underway. If that ever happens, we always pause and contact the customer before proceeding — nothing moves forward without your awareness and consent.

A lot of our work is from customers scattered across North America, as well as some other various countries. We often sell customers discounted UPS shipping so they can save some money when sending parts in for work.

Job timeframes depend on the type of project, current workload, and material availability. We don’t rush work — every job receives the time and attention it needs to meet our quality standards.Carr Designs is a small custom shop, not a large corporation or automated production line. We’re real people performing a highly skilled trade at a level that very few others offer — and that level of precision takes time, not the snap of a finger. Each project moves through multiple stages: repair, prep, upholstery, color matching, finishing, curing, and final inspection — all done carefully by hand.Our production timeframe begins once your parts arrive and work officially begins, not from the date an appointment is booked. We always aim to stay within the estimated completion range discussed during your estimate, but please understand that custom interior work is a detailed process, not an instant one, and that sometimes things happen that can create unanticipated time to a project or order.We always recommend that customers plan ahead when scheduling their projects. Due to our consistent workload, new appointments are typically booked well in advance

Deposits are required to secure appointments and begin work. They help us reserve production space, plan schedules, and order supplies specific to your project.All deposits are non-refundable, as outlined in our Terms & Conditions. This ensures that the time and resources allocated to your project are properly covered.We understand that unexpected things can happen, so if you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible. We occasionally refund or apply deposits toward future work at our discretion, depending on the situation and how far in advance notice is given.Once work has begun, any deposits or progress payments made toward that project become non-refundable, as they cover the time, materials, and labor already invested. Most materials and supplies used in our work are non-returnable from our vendors once ordered, which means those costs cannot be recovered once production begins.If a client decides to cancel after work has started, all completed or partially completed work — along with any materials purchased or used — remain the property of Carr Designs until the balance due is settled.These policies ensure fairness for all clients, protect our production schedule, and reflect the real costs and labor involved in professional restoration and reconditioning work.

At Carr Designs, we provide estimates, not quotes, because every restoration project involves variables that cannot always be known until the parts are physically inspected and, in some cases, until work or disassembly begins.The distinction between the two terms is important.Cambridge Dictionary defines an estimate as “a guess of what the size, value, amount, cost, etc. of something might be.” In professional practice, an estimate is an educated projection based on the information available at the time. This includes the apparent condition of the parts, anticipated labor, materials, known repairs, project scope, and the experience of the professional preparing it.A quote, by contrast, is defined by Cambridge as “to state a price or amount that something will cost,” while a fixed price is “a price that will not change after it is agreed.”In other words, an estimate projects an expected cost based on what is currently known, while a fixed-price quote represents a commitment to a stated price.That distinction is extremely important with restoration work.Hidden damage, previous repairs, deteriorated materials, broken mounting points, modifications, contamination, missing components, fabrication requirements, and other conditions may not be visible in photos — or even during an initial visual inspection. Some conditions aren't discovered until a component is cleaned or disassembled.Because of these variables, Carr Designs does not force restoration work into predetermined flat-rate pricing. Our work is billed based on the actual labor time and materials required to complete your specific project.This works both ways. If an area of the project requires less labor or material than anticipated, you aren't charged for work or materials that weren't actually required. If additional work is necessary, the actual additional labor and materials are reflected in the project cost.Our estimates and invoices are also organized by project area, such as door panel restoration, dash restoration, upholstery, or refinishing, with detailed information outlining the primary work involved. Depending on the project, this may include cleaning, repairs, fabrication, preparation, color matching, refinishing, upholstery, and other applicable processes.This approach allows us to provide a realistic expected cost without pretending that unknown restoration work can always be predicted perfectly before it is performed.An estimate is a professional projection based on the information available at the time — it is not a quote, guaranteed final price, or maximum project cost.