Before pulling the trigger on anything regarding a restoration you have to make a checklist of your expectations of the finished product. 90% of the shops will give you a great finished product but restoration is all in the details and process. Also everyones definition of a restoration varies. Are you going for an OE resto,an over restored car, a nice driver, a restomod, etc....There are mega differences with each mentioned and some shops are stronger in one style vs. another. For example I dont think frank badalson or mike mancini are doing any restomods or have the fabrication equipment to do so. However they will produce an OE restoration that you could win any show with. (no, im not advertising for either mentioned.) Also check the shops portfolio of work to get an idea of how they do things. Most of what your paying is for is hundreds of hours of basic to advanced body and paint work. Engine work is not cheap either. I hope you have a car that has all original parts that can be easily restored. If you have to look for NOS or original parts that could run into $$$ as well because parts are getting harder to find. Also component resto costs is up there too. The list is endless. Good Luck with everything.