It can be difficult to turn down the opportunity to buy a classic car, even if the car is in bad condition. A classic car in poor condition is still a classic car, and there is a lot of value in that vehicle once it has been properly restored. Many people hold on to classic cars as investment pieces, with the average length of ownership for new and used vehicles increasing by 60% over the past ten years (per V12). But just because you own a classic car in need of restoration doesn't mean that you should embark on that restoration journey yourself. There is a reason why classic car restoration services exist, after all. Let's dive into why you should consider them rather than attempting the restoration process yourself.

1. The Cost

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why you should turn to a classic car restoration service rather than restoring a vehicle on your own is that the cost may be much higher if you attempt a restoration personally. Restorations can become very expensive very quickly, and the cost will only rise if you don't know how to source parts, tools, and other materials effectively. Additionally, you could potentially cause damage when you don't intend to, and will need to pay to repair it.

2. The Time

While there isn't a single time frame that can be expected of every classic car restoration, generally speaking it can take less time if you work with a professional service provider rather than attempting the restoration yourself. If you're not experienced with professionally restoring classic cars, it could be months or even years before you're able to finish. When time is of the essence, call the pros.

3. The Risk

Classic cars are difficult to restore, and often much more challenging to work on in general than newer cars. Do you really want to risk not only damaging the vehicle but potentially hurting yourself or others with less than perfect work? Chances are that you won't want to drive the car very often if it's a classic; but you may want to drive it sometime, as may anyone who buys it from you. Make sure that it's restored properly and safe to drive.

While restoring a classic car seems fun, it's a lot of work; and that work should be left to the professionals.