A better body will certainly reduce bodywork hours. If your painter charges by the hour (and charges honestly) obviously that will bring the cost down. If he's familiar with FFRs and charges a flat rate it may not have a huge impact. This is how I as well as some of the other FFR specialist do it. I charge no more for a #2 body than I do for a #9 body...I figure over the course of a few it all evens out. Don't forget that no matter how good the body is the time required for what happens after bodywork (all of the primers and sealer, seemingly endless blocking, paint, clear, cut & buff and reassembly) will not change. Those operations are 75% of the job. One big factor, and a major consideration behind the body improvements is not only for the benefit of the pros but also for the builders who wish to "do it all" and tackle the body & paint themselves.

Jeff