Doing just about anything customized on your car can often involve a hefty price tag. Sometimes it can be unnerving to roll up to a shop with no idea what the cost is going to be, and that cost is going to vary widely depending on a lot of factors.
While it is always a good idea to shop around, I’ve compiled some useful information about the general cost of getting your car interior customized, so you are able to put your own personal touch on your ride without breaking the bank.
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Price Factors
Let’s go over some of the factors to consider that could affect the overall cost of your custom job.
Age of Your Car
It’s no secret that classic cars (those between 20-40 years old) usually cost more to customize. The reason for this is that the more “original” a classic car is, the higher its value. So most classic car owners opt to replace interiors with newer versions of original materials.
This can get expensive fairly quickly, especially if some of the materials used are discontinued or considered “custom”. So if you have an older vehicle that you are trying to restore to its original condition, it’s going to cost you as little as $3,500 up to $10,000 depending on materials.
Customizing the interior of a newer car (cars that are less than 10 years old) is actually more cost-effective. The materials for modern cars are readily available so they don’t cost the shop a lot to order. You could redo the interior of a modern car for as little as $1,000 with the right shop.
Materials Used
Upgrading or restoring your regular upholstery won’t cost as much as switching to some higher-end materials.
For example, leather is on the top end of the spectrum for expensive materials. Expect to pay anywhere from $4,000-$12,000 to redo your entire interior in leather. Some less expensive materials include neoprene, mesh, and canvas options – all of which will cost far less than leather.
Also, wanting a specific color on the interior of your car may limit your material options and up your final price. Ask your preferred shop to show you samples of their available materials and get a cost estimate for each one.
Areas Redone
Each area of your car that is getting redone is going to have its own price tag attached. Some of the most popular areas are seats, carpets, and car door upholstery. Adding custom fittings for your dash can also cost a pretty penny and these prices vary widely from shop to shop.
Getting only your front seats redone will cost anywhere from $200-$800 per seat – dependent on materials and other labor such as if they need to replace foam as well. Adding your backseat will cost close to $1,000.
Replacing your car’s interior carpet can be around $1,200 for all new carpet materials, though a cheaper route may be to have the floor painted in scuff-resistant paint and add removable carpets that you purchase yourself.
Replacing your steering wheel, shifter, roof fabric, or seat belts would add to these costs though these are usually minimal.
Shop or Dealership
For the most part, cars that are less than 10 years old can have their interiors redone at the dealership (if you bought it off of the floor). This will reduce your overall costs because dealerships usually partner with manufacturers to buy materials in bulk and they pass those savings on to their customers.
However, if you are customizing the interior of a classic car or a car that was purchased from a 3rd party, you will have to take it to a locally owned “mom and pop” type auto shop. The prices at these smaller shops can end up being more expensive because they don’t buy their materials in bulk, they purchase it as it is needed.
A Word on Leather Interiors
Leather interiors look very clean and can ultimately increase the overall value of your car. That being said, they are a commitment.
If you live in a climate that is hot most of the year, this can make your leather seats uncomfortable to sit on, especially if they are black. Also, excessive heat can degrade and fade leather interiors quicker than if your car was in a cold climate.
When choosing a leather fabric for the interior of your car, any material that is made domestically is going to be the most cost-effective option. Internationally produced leather will cost more, especially if it is custom. This is because most internationally made leather is hand stitched which adds to the labor cost of the final product.
Lastly, leather can build up with visible dirt very easily if it is not routinely cleaned and maintained.
DIY Costs vs Shop Costs
There are a remarkably high number of DIY kits you can purchase to change the interior look of your car that could save you a lot of money as compared to going to a detailer.
Keep in mind that not everything can be done by yourself, but if you are able to find a kit that suits your needs for specific areas of your car, you can enlist the help of a friend or do it yourself to save on costs.
Seats
The shop cost for replacing seat fabric can cost anywhere from $200-$800 per seat.
If you shop around online, you can find DIY seat covers to go over your existing fabric for as little as $40 per cover. These can easily be installed in less than an hour. Plus they are removable and washable so maintaining them is a breeze.
There are even leather fabric seat covers (which may cost you more) but will still be far cheaper than getting them reupholstered by a detailer.
Carpets
I mentioned before that carpet replacement or removal can cost anywhere from $700-$1,200 for fabric. You also have the option of choosing a spray-in liner over the carpet which can be cheaper and will require less upkeep.
While it’s not advised you install a spray liner on your own, you can purchase custom floor mats online. These can be either carpet or rubber and can cost as little as $150 for the entire car.
Accessories
You can purchase steering wheel covers and shifter knobs online for fairly cheap. They come in a wide variety of materials and color options so there’s bound to be one that suits your needs.
Please note, it is not advised you replace your entire steering wheel on your own as that is where your airbag is and a malfunction while detaching it can cause severe injury. Also, seat belts should be installed by professionals so they can check the safety of them.
Car Dash
Getting your car dash redone can be approximately $500-$1,000 at a detail shop.
You do have the option of purchasing car dash paint that will paint over leather, vinyl, or plastic. This process will take some work as it involves protecting other areas of your car, but the materials needed can cost as little as $200 and can be done in a day.
