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Picking the right auto body repair shop need not be hard – here are 3 considerations
This is a user generated content for MyStory, a YourStory initiative to enable its community to contribute and have their voices heard. The views and writings here reflect that of the author and not of YourStory.
If you were to get estimates for your auto body repair cost at different repair shops after a car accident, they would definitely vary widely. The estimates may be anything between $450 and $2500 for the same repair job. You need to know why these price differences occur and when it is advisable to go for the lower prices.
Below are some tips for selecting the most suitable auto body repair shop to repair your damaged vehicle.
Heed word-to-mouth recommendation
Rather than rely on promises in advertisements, you would do well to get recommendations from trusted family, friends, and work colleagues. This way, you’re likely to find an auto body repair shop that has a good track record with its previous customers. You’ll find that, many times, the best auto repair shop for you is not always the biggest local repair shop.
Numerous cars owners have visited local auto body repair Brooklyn shops on such recommendations and received great services at fair prices, even though the business was not as popular and as widely known as the larger brands in the market. Some auto body repair specialists prefer to keep a small, manageable business in which they provide high-quality services with a personal touch.
Take into account the location and overhead of the auto repair shop
Labor is among the most pertinent costs in auto body repairs. Costs can be as low as $35 per hour for labor and as high as $70 per hour depending on the location and the income bracket the auto repair shop typically serves.
Another factor that may affect the cost is the number of employees of the auto repair shop. Needless to say, the higher the number of employees, the higher the rates will be as there are more people to pay. Even though front-desk employees are the ones that actually work on your car, the foremen and managers that give clients a sense of confidence in the establishment also need to get paid.
You want to choose an auto repair shop that does things by the book. These are establishments that make use of industry reference guidelines that estimate the hours needed to carry out specific repairs and come up with their estimates accordingly.
Make sure you ask the right questions
When choosing an auto body repair shop, you want to be sure that you make an informed decision. By doing some prior research, you can go into a auto body shop armed with the right questions. Some important questions to ask include: Do you provide a warranty? How long does the warranty last? What does the warranty cover? Is the shop insured?
Do not accept a warranty that lasts less than a year. Give preference to repair shops that offer, at the very least, a 3-year warranty for paint work and a 2-year warranty for body work. Some auto repair shops may offer lifetime warranties. Check the terms and conditions of the warranties and steer clear if they are too restrictive.
