When you need bodywork on your vehicle, cost estimates can be maddeningly vague. Until the job is done, the exact costs cannot be determined, so an estimate is the best you are going to get. This is a problem because you need to know if you can afford these services before bringing your vehicle to a particular shop. Thus, to save you a little bit of time and aggravation, let’s go over some basic rules that govern auto body repair costs.
Labor Vs. Parts
In general, auto body repair fees can be divided into two types: Parts and labor. As you would probably guess, labor is usually the bigger part of the expense. Any good shop will be getting their parts at a reduced rate, allowing them to pass on some of that savings to the customer. Labor costs for car repair work, however, will generally range between $47 and $215 per hour, according to AAA.
Make And Model Will Also Play A Role
Your exact rates will also depend on what sort of vehicle you have. Needless to say, foreign cars and other uncommon vehicles tend to carry higher repair costs. This is because parts are harder to obtain and because fewer people know how to fix those uncommon machines.
It is also generally true that newer cars will cost more to service. Older technology tends to be simpler, and it requires a lot less to repair. On the other hand, anything that is computerized and high-tech is going to drive up the repair bill. That being said, an older vehicle can also be pretty expensive if it is old enough to be rare.
Here is a short list of vehicles that are particularly expensive to have repaired:
- Chevrolet Trax
- Kia Soul
- Audi Q3
- Hyundai Accent
- Nissan Maxima
- Nissan Kicks
- Ford Ecosport
- Chrysler Voyager
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Anything by Mercedes or Saab
- All electric and hybrid vehicles
Consider The Extent Of The Damage
The extent of the damage being repaired will play a huge role in determining your final price. We probably don’t have to tell you that minor damage is cheaper to repair, and that’s because minor damage usually doesn’t require the replacement of damaged parts. For instance, a cracked windshield can usually be repaired without a need to replace the whole thing. If it is well done, you will never be able to tell the difference (and you won’t pay much, either).
Here is a short list of repairs that tend to be more expensive than average. If your problem is on this list, you should prepare yourself for a significant expense.
- Damage to the ECM (electronic control module), which is basically the main computer of your car. It can cost up to $200 just to inspect one of these, and replacement costs can get up in the thousands.
- Safety system repairs, such as airbags, mirrors, and seat belts. Although these jobs might not be all that complex, there are some serious liability issues and no store wants to be held responsible for shoddy work. Thus, they have to take a little more time and care.
- Replacing bumpers and grills. These components are a lot more complex than they once were, as they now include things like impact sensors, backup cameras, extra lights, and all sorts of other things.
- Transmission issues are probably the worst whammy of them all. Other than the engine itself, this is the most expensive component to fix. Most people choose to buy a new vehicle if the transmission goes bad.
Is The Cost Of Auto Body Repairs Worth Paying?
Although most vehicle body damage can be fixed, there is a question of whether or not it’s worth the time and money involved. Let’s say you’ve just wrecked an old Yugo from the mid-80s. Since the Yugo is considered to be one of the worst cars ever made, and because it is well past its prime, it probably isn’t worth the money to fix a car like this. The repair costs could very easily exceed the cars’ value.
When getting an estimate, you can “double-check” the prices by asking for a per-hour rate. After that, ask them approximately how many hours it will take for repair. Multiply the per-hour rate by the estimated repair time (in hours, of course), and you will have an approximate total cost. If this doesn’t match with the estimate you were already given, you might want to look for services elsewhere.
Always Do Your Homework
If you are like most people, your vehicle is very important to you. As such, you do not want to bring that vehicle to someone with a history of shoddy work. Of course, when you have an emergency (like a car that won’t even start), there isn’t enough time to sufficiently vet your options. That is why you need to evaluate your local shops ahead of time and answer the all-important question: “Which one is the best auto body shop near me?”
Here are some important things for which you should look:
- Relevant qualifications (certifications, etc.)
- Relevant experience with your kind of vehicle
- Online reviews (as many as you can find)
- Any known legal/liability issues
- Guarantees and warranties that aren’t completely full of loopholes
Conclusion
Of course, none of this knowledge will do you a lot of good if you are dealing with a substandard shop. That’s why you should call our seasoned professionals here at Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. With our years of experience and some of the most reasonable pricing around, it’s hard to go wrong with Elmer’s. Like so many others, you will find that our service cannot be beaten.