Category: Collision Repair

After a vehicle accident, you need to get your car inspected and repaired. Sometimes, you may not want to file a claim with the insurance company. You need an estimate to know some of those repair costs. Even if you work through your insurance company, you will need to get an estimate from an auto body repair shop. While the estimate might seem like the final price of the repair work, there could be a few hidden surprises. Here is what you need to know about estimates and the final bill.

What Is an Estimate?

While you may think an estimate is a final price, it is just an estimation of the costs. When there are unforeseen complications or expenses, the estimate could change. An estimate is not a contract. It is a courtesy to you as the customer and a requirement in New Jersey. However, a reputable shop will always inform the customers of complications and higher expenses that could affect the final bill. Most estimates tend to be on the dollar or slightly below the quoted price.

The technician gives a general estimate. Often, they have not opened up the car, taken off panels, or completed a comprehensive inspection. Any problems could arise when those nuts and bolts come off the vehicle. Remember that estimates are based on that visual damage.

An auto body shop can charge more than the estimate, but exceptions do exist. All auto body work cannot start without giving the customer a written estimate. This estimate must include the exact dollar amount of the labor and parts. You might even see “price not to exceed” on the paperwork. What happens when the amount exceeds the expected repairs? Customers cannot be charged more than the estimate given without prior written or oral consent.

Unfortunately, you might have to work with the other driver’s insurance company. They may agree to a specific price but refuse to pay for repairs over that amount. In those situations, you might have to pay for the repair out of your pocket or fight with the insurance company for reimbursement. When you work with an experienced auto body shop, they have working relationships with many insurance agencies. Most shops want to repair your vehicle and get you back on the road. Often, they can help guide you through the claims process.

In short, the auto body shop can charge more than the estimate, but they must have your consent before working on the vehicle. Now that you know that, what causes the final bill to be higher than an estimate?

What Can Cause a Higher Bill?

Once the technicians get your vehicle on the lift, they can see the extent of the damage. You may have a problem with your chassis or the drive train. Some of that damage may be obvious based on the type of accident. However, damage can be hard to predict until the panels and parts start to come off the vehicle.

Any damage to the bumpers can lead to higher repair costs. For that reason, many shops will price a new bumper on the estimate. Plus, most safety features can be compromised when involved in an accident. It is better for everyone when the bumper is completely replaced instead of repaired. Remember that a bumper does have several components, including the cover, absorber, reinforcement bar, and mounting system. If any of them are compromised, you might have to replace all those parts.

Technicians often use specific techniques to repair vehicles. In a few cases, that reliable technique might not work. For example, a dent can often be pounded or pulled out. If the dent is stubborn, it may need to be filled with compound and painted. That extra work can increase the final costs.

Added costs are often called supplemental damage. You will hear that term when working with an insurance company. The insurance company will work with the shop to restore the vehicle to the condition before the accident. There are times when “betterment” can affect the price. For example, if your tire needs to be repaired but has little tread left, the insurance company might elect to pay for a new tire. Remember that the price difference could be passed down to you. Betterment is handled between you and the insurance company. Often, the body shop will not have a say in these repair issues.

Choose a Reliable Auto Body Shop

An estimate is just an educated guess of the price of the bodywork required to fix your vehicle. While you may be concerned that you will face huge bills, choosing the right auto body shop for the job can help. You want to work with a shop that will explain the charges and make you feel comfortable during the process.

A professional shop will help you to understand the estimate and explain why certain factors could cause a higher bill. A customer should never feel forced into a repair. Remember that New Jersey consumer laws require you to consent to extra work outside your estimate’s scope.

At Elmer’s Auto Body, we are a family-owned and -operated business. We want to make the repair process fast, convenient, and easy for all our customers. When you bring your vehicle for an estimate, we will explain the entire process and contact you when there is an unexpected problem. When you need an “auto body shop near me”, schedule your consultation by calling (856) 218-0202.

The bumper may not seem like the most important part of the car, but maintaining your bumper can help you keep your car at a good value and protect the structural integrity of the car. Little cracks and dents to your bumper seem like minor repairs, therefore is it worth it to repair a bumper?

Should I Repair The Bumper?

Repairing the bumper can be a more cost-effective way of maintaining your car and allowing your car to have more longevity. We would recommend that you look into the different types of bumper repairs that are available at one of our auto body repair shops in South Jersey before deciding if you would like to repair your bumper or replace your bumper.

Whether your bumper needs repairing or replacing is all based on the damage the bumper has undergone. If you have simply scratched your bumper while parking or you have a small dent in the bumper, there will be no need to replace the whole bumper. A bumper repair can range from very affordable prices and is a more budget-friendly method of fixing your bumper.

Repairing a bumper can be a quicker way of fixing the problem, compared to replacing your bumper. Repairing bumpers is the best way to go, especially if you own an older or classic car. Often, if you own an older car like a classic, opting for a bumper repair will be the only way to go as the bumper will not be able to be replaced due to a lack of parts suitable for that particular model.

What are the different types of bumper repairs?

Depending on what your vehicle needs, at our auto body repair shop in South Jersey we can help with all types of bumper repairs. There is a range of repairs that will work on a broken bumper and we can suggest the best repair for your car based on the circumstances. The types of repairs that work for bumpers can range from paintless dent repair to fixing cracks. Here is a list of different types of bumper repairs:

• Dent Repair
• Scuff Repair
• Crack Repair
• Puncture Repair

1. Dent Repair: There are two types of dent repairs that can be applied to the bumper. The first is paintless dent repair and the second is traditional. A paintless dent repair is a method that will remove the dent from the car in a way that will not affect the paintwork. A paintless dent repair is done by using a varied amount of tools with heat to restore the car. A traditional dent repair works in a similar way to pulling the dent out of the car. This again is done by using specialized tools to smooth the dents and then paint is added to restore the car.

2. Scuff Repair: Repairing scuffs on the bumper can easily be done using filler. The filler is used to fill in the scrapes, which is then sanded down to a smooth even surface. Paint is then applied on top of the filler to make sure the car is restored aesthetically.

3. Crack Repair: Repairing cracks on the bumper is very similar to repairing scrapes and scuffs. If there are splits on the side of the bumper, a plastic filler can be used to seal these crack backs together. Wherever filler is applied to a bumper repair, the filler is then sanded down and painted.

4. Puncture Repair: When repairing punctures on the bumper, the filler can still be used but a popular alternative is to use adhesive. The adhesive works in a very similar way to how the filler would work and would still require the paint to be applied at the final stages to make sure that the car returns to its original look.

Is A Bumper Worth Repairing?

At Elmer’s Auto Body, we believe that a bumper is worth repairing as it can help in many other ways other than the visual aesthetics of the car. Here is a list of reasons why repairing your bumper is worth the effort:

• The bumper could be unstable: If you have damaged your bumper the hooks may be damaged too, which could make your bumper unstable without you knowing.
• Insurance claims could be needed: If you are in doubt that your bumper is stable, you should always get your bumper checked over by a professional so that you can be sure your bumper will not fall and cause an accident. Feel free to bring your car to one of our auto body repair shops in South Jersey for a consultation.
• Your car could lose value: This will be very relevant, especially if you own an older or classic car. The better the condition of your car, the higher the value of your car will be.

Contact Elmer’s Auto Body To Repair Or Replace Your Bumper

If you need any bumper crack, scratch, or dent repairs give us a call at Elmer’s Auto Body today. The team at our auto body repair shop in South Jersey is ready to repair your bumper and get it back to its original form. Schedule your consultation by calling (856) 218-0202 or filling out the contact form.

There is no need to tell you that a vehicle collision is a serious problem. Even a minor collision can result in a large repair bill, so it’s important to drive carefully. Still, it isn’t always possible to avoid an accident, particularly if it results from someone else’s mistake. When that happens, collision repair is the next step. Let’s talk about collision repair estimate costs and what you can expect when it’s time to get one.

1. Don’t Bother With Online Estimators

There are places on the internet which claim to accurately predict collision repair costs. Unfortunately, these tools are not the most reliable. The problem is that you never really know the full extent of the damage until an expert gets in there and takes a close look. Your initial impressions could be wrong, and that will cause the estimate to be wrong as well. In the end, these tools don’t do anything except give you unrealistic expectations.

2. Understand That Labor Rates Vary

It is relatively easy to estimate the cost of a replacement part. You simply check the average price of the item and factor that into the cost. However, labor costs are another story. These costs are assessed at an hourly rate, and that hourly rate will vary from one shop to another. This is another thing that makes estimation difficult.

If you have collision coverage, this will also affect labor rates. You will be utilizing a shop that is recommended by your insurance company, and the rates will likely be lower. This is because insurance companies have good business relationships with these repair shops, allowing them to negotiate better labor rates. So, if your insurance is paying, the labor costs will probably be significantly lower.

3. Understand The Abbreviations

When you are given a copy of the repair estimate, you should make sure you understand all the items on that list. There will likely be some abbreviations, so don’t hesitate to ask about those. For instance, some shops will use the abbreviation “R & I.” There’s nothing complex about this one, as it just stands for “replacing and installing.”

4. OEM Parts Are Always More Expensive

If you have ever had your car repaired at a dealership, you know that they tend to be more expensive. This is because you are enlisting the help of specialized mechanics who are certified to deal with every aspect of your particular vehicle. Specialized labor is always more expensive, but it also tends to be better.

Have you ever wondered why dealership repairs are more expensive? One of the main reasons is the use of OEM (original engine manufacturer) parts. As the name implies, these are original parts that come straight from the factory. And so, if you see a lot of OEM parts on your estimate, you might be able to negotiate a lower price by suggesting the use of secondhand parts. Aftermarket parts are commonly abbreviated as “LKQ”, which means “like kind quality.”

5. Try To Get More Than One Estimate

As with any goods or services, it is important to compare prices before you make a firm decision. However, when you compare different estimates, you need to bear several things in mind.

First, a lot of shops will promise you a lower cost. That doesn’t mean they will actually deliver. They are not legally obligated to stick with the estimate, so the final bill can end up being a lot larger. Secondly, a lower repair cost won’t do you any good if the work isn’t done correctly. Thus, you should not just go with the lowest estimate. It is far better to go with a shop that has earned your trust through prior dealings.

6. Understand The Seriousness Of Frame Damage

If the underlying frame of your car has been damaged in a collision, that is a much more serious kind of job. The frame of your vehicle is the foundation of its structural integrity. In fact, the only part of your car that is more crucial would be the engine. In a collision, a weak frame can turn a vehicle into a deathtrap, and repair shops are fully aware of this fact. Thus, if you have damage to your frame, understand that it might be better to replace the vehicle. These repairs will be more expensive due to the potential liability issues involved.

7. Be Prepared For Some Waiting Time

Finally, you need to understand that collision repairs can take time. Even though you may have important commitments, the shop is not going to turn the vehicle loose until it is deemed safe. Despite the inconveniences this can cause, you want your repair shop to be thorough and complete. Rush jobs are rarely thorough and complete, so give them enough time to do things correctly.

Conclusion

If there is one common theme in all of this, it is the fact that estimates are seldom 100% accurate. Their purpose is to give you some idea of what you will need to spend, so take them for what they are. When you need a collision repair estimate, the first question to ask is: “Where can I find the best auto body shop near me?” If you are located in South Jersey, the answer is Elmer’s Auto Body. With 75 years of collision repair experience, we can offer you the best service and the most accurate estimates that are possible. If you would like to learn more, you can call us at (856) 218-0202.