How Do Collision Repair Shops Come Up With Their Prices?
by Herman Mills
After an accident, you want to make sure you save as much money as possible repairing your vehicle. In order to save money, you have to understand how auto repair shops come up with the price of collision repair. Below are 3 ways collision repair shops come up with their prices:
An Estimator Prepares the Cost Estimation
Each auto repair shop usually has different estimation systems when determining the cost of collision repairs. The estimated cost depends on the auto shop's thoroughness of identifying damage, how much their labor rate is, and what type of parts they use. If an auto repair shop has a reputation for not thoroughly identifying damage, it may appear that they overcharge after their initial estimate. Since they do not take the time to identify everything that was actually damaged after the collision, the auto shop may give you a lower estimate that is inaccurate. Along with thoroughness, the cost of labor is also added into the estimate of repairs. The cost of labor can vary from each auto repair shop but usually, they will have a flat rate per hour of work. However, there are some auto repair shops that pay their mechanics on commission, or per assignment. This can sometimes be more expensive compared to an auto shop that pays their labor by the hour.
Something small, like auto glass repair, will be easy to fix. The cost estimation is very accurate, and the repairs may be done the same day. When auto glass repair is combined with other repair needs, you'll probably need to get a more complete damage evaluation and estimate.
Types of Parts Used Affect the Cost
Next, the type of parts used by auto repair shops may be different for every shop when they are repairing collision damage. Some mechanics prefer receiving parts from the manufacturer to ensure the quality of the part. However, there are some auto shops that use aftermarket parts instead of the manufacturer's parts since they tend to be more affordable. This means they were made by another company and may not have the same quality. Aftermarket parts are not inherently bad quality but may not offer the same effectiveness as the original manufacturer. Therefore, it helps to know what kind of parts auto repair shops use.
Your Personal Situation May Matter
Lastly, auto repair shops may offer their customers special deals depending on different factors. Everyone has seen local ads on our televisions about local auto shops having special deals. This may not be common but it can affect the estimate the auto shop may give determining the cost of collision repairs. After an accident, it doesn't hurt to look online to find out if any of your local auto shops have any deals available.
Contact an auto glass repair service for more information and assistance.
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About Me
As the son and grandson of mechanics, I spent much of my child hood under the hood of many cars. I have listened and learned about so many different problems and how to repair them effectively. I created this blog to cover as many car problems as possible without overwhelming readers. You will find tips for troubleshooting, advice for when to take it to a professional and suggestions for when to stop driving the car or truck immediately to prevent further and more costly damage. We hope that you find all of this information helpful and useful, allowing you to have a great running car.
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