What to look for in a bodyshop - Page 3

chefwong · 09-09-07, 07:56

FWIW, and this is my general practice - I always leave the car in the shop and let the bodyshop deal with appraisers. The shop will know how much $$ is needed to fix it right - OEM panels, new panels, never a Bondo job, etc and they are on your side so they will FIGHT/Explain to the adjuster on the spot based on the adjuster initial evaluations.

YMMV......

mikebai1990 · 09-21-07, 02:06

Alright.. We just got the check mailed to us today. $1043.42. We haven't gotten an estimate from the bodyshop, but I think it will be enough for the repair.

David Fermani · 09-21-07, 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebai1990

Alright.. We just got the check mailed to us today. $1043.42. We haven't gotten an estimate from the bodyshop, but I think it will be enough for the repair.

So they paid you and didn't give you an estimate? That's pretty bad. How the heck do you know what they are paying the shop to repair and how? The estimate explains and breaks everything down. Without that, everyone's in the dark.

Stratous · 09-21-07, 06:29

Sorry, I didn't read everything, just the first few posts.

I work at a body shop, a top name one at that.

Getting a check based on the insurance company's estimate is normal...It's a rock bottom price for people that just want to cash out. You bring the car and check, to a top name body shop, no ma and pop shops for insurance work. Pick up your free rental, provided to you by who ever hit you. And let the shop do the rest.

The shop will replace the tail light, repair the quarter panel with dent pullers and bondo (proper bondo is better than replacement), and blend the rear door for color match. I would ball park price in my head around $12-1300, and four days. Purples are hard...Check the color match from the quarter to the rear bumper before accepting...it may need to be blended as well. Blending a bumper is not normal, but sometimes needs to be done.

Unless you don't care about rust, get the car fixed right while someone is willing to pay for it.

No, PDR is not an option in your case. PDR only works on dents like hail, small and blemish free.

David Fermani · 09-21-07, 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratous

Getting a check based on the insurance company's estimate is normal...It's a rock bottom price for people that just want to cash out. You bring the car and check, to a top name body shop, no ma and pop shops for insurance work. Pick up your free rental, provided to you by who ever hit you. And let the shop do the rest.

Are you saying that shops don't need the estimate to work off of? Just the check.

mikebai1990 · 09-21-07, 06:58

Stratous, are you saying the bodyshop will help me haggle with the insurance company?

Also, I'm curious why there is a $600 discrepancy between David's and Stratous's estimate. Is there some variable that would significantly change the estimated price?

chefwong · 09-26-07, 04:44

Mike -

It's too late IMO. You have the $$ from insurance company so if there is a difference in $$ from the bodyshop you decide to choose from. Also.....service charges vary from a regional perspective.

Have you or your dad gone to any reputable bodyshops in the area to get estimates ?
I would start there.

I can recommend a great bodyshop but they are out in NJ - C&D Auto Body.