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Collision Appraisal & Estimating
How to select a body shop. The following information is provided to help you make an informed decision when choosing a body shop for restoration work.
Your first impression of a facility is significant. Make sure the facility you consider makes an initial impact that is positive. Look for a neat, well-organized facility with modern equipment. In addition, look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area. ASE certificates, Licenses, Customer thank you letters and Community involvement. Ask to take a tour of the facility, and while doing so, observe a repair similar to the one needed on your vehicle. In addition, pay special attention to see that an honest effort toward cleanliness is evident. A clean environment makes for a quality repair. Also look for signs that the staff is technically competent, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training from I-CAR , and ASE certifications - a national standard of technician competence issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Ask about years of experience. Ask about the parts to be used to repair your vehicle. Accept only those equal to the Original Equipment Manufacturer's or those originally on your vehicle. ( A/M ), Reproduction or Aftermarket parts not made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer ( OEM ). These parts have their place in the repair of damaged automobiles, it must be noted that they are not factory parts. Some don't fit as well as factory and some don't have the same finished quality. They are not factory parts but they are new and they are less expensive. Used parts ( LKQ ) or Like Kind Quality, also have their place, however there is a reason that they come from a salvage ( junk ) yard. LKQ parts provide a cost effective way of replacing damaged assemblies or discontinued parts no longer available from the OEM. They are not always less expensive and they are not new. Paint match, hue and gloss are the determining factors in the appearance of your repaired vehicle. Today's modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. Without the most sophisticated techniques and training, hi-tech factory finishes cannot be duplicated. Make sure the shop you choose to repair your vehicle has made the commitment to both the finest painting equipment and the best technician training. We use PPG Basecoat Clearcoat Urethane finishes. They are very durable and duplicate the factory finishes exactly. Most facilities charge roughly the same as any other. The low ball estimate usually does not include all the items a more complete estimate does or perhaps the labor time or parts prices are not accurate and will need to be supplemented after the job has been started. This practice is very common and results in final repair bill prices being higher than the original estimate. In reality the estimate should look very much like the final bill, and should reflect all the labor, materials, parts and other items it takes to restore your automobile. High or low estimate is irrelevant, so you should concentrate on selecting a shop you feel comfortable with and one you can trust to do the right thing. And of course one that you feel will treat you fairly. Ask friends and relatives for referrals.
As our customer, we welcome you. You will receive the finest quality repairs available.
We are:
As a member of the business community, we adhere to a Code of Ethics our pledge to you of honesty, integrity, safety and craftsmanship.
You may have some questions concerning the estimating/repair process. This information page was designed with those questions in mind.
If you have any questions, please ask us. Our professionals are ready and willing to help you in any way they can. Please feel free to visit our repair facility for a tour.
For more information be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
For us, satisfying our customers is the most important goal we have.
Thanks for visiting our website.
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