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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / General Car Topics / October 2004Body Shop Adviice
I've got some body damage to my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The damage happened outside of insurance coverage (ex-wife, arg!) so now I need to get it fixed so I can sell the vehicle. I got a quote from the only body shop I've ever delt with. I'm not sure if it's a fair quote or not. Any Advice? Images of the damage: http://www.retlaw.net/IMG_3161.JPG http://www.retlaw.net/IMG_3162.JPG Quote: Body Labor $44/hr Paint Labor $44/hr Paint Supplies $23/hr SIDE LOADING DOOR Rpr LT Outer panel 9.5 body 2.0 paint Add for Clear Coat 0.8 paint R&I LT Uppter molding 0.3 body R&I LT Handle 0.4 body R&I LT Handle assist taupe 0.3 body Rpr SHELL 2.0 body SIDE PANEL Repl LT Side panel $794 14.5 body 3.5 paint Overlap Major Adj, Panel -0.4 paint Add for Clear Coat 0.6 paint R&I LT Side molding 0.3 body Rpr LT Wheelhouse Panel 2.5 body Repl Cover car/bag 0.2 body Rpr color tint 0.5 body Rpr Corrosion Protectant 0.3 paint Parts $794 Body Labor 30.5hrs $1392 Paint Labor 6.8hrs $299.20 Paint Supplies 6.8hrs $156.40 SUBTOTAL $2591.60 The problem is: Everyone wants to be a "Body Man" Where real body men straighten metal. Facsimalies of, replace parts. The quarter panel can be repaired by a competent "Body Man" with a minimum of plastic filler, with less chance of squeaks, ratles and no telltale signs of parts replacement, which detract from resale value. Not to detract from your current shop, some think that they are: "Too busy" to do the metal work, when in fact, the metal repair is more profitable, and there is a lesser chance of diminished value, plus saving the customer who hasn't sufficient insurance coverage some money. Depending on which state you live in, I could do the repair, offer a lifetime warranty and give you pictures of the progressive repair, showing the metal straightening process and the minimal amount of filler required to do the final finishing job. Replacing the panel also requires the use of fillers! Refinish King > I've got some body damage to my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The damage > happened outside of insurance coverage (ex-wife, arg!) so now I need to [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > SUBTOTAL $2591.60 The shop manager talked about repairing rather then replacing the rear quarter panel, since I told him I was paying for it myself and we have a mutual friend. He was sure he could repair the door, but unsure about the quarter panel. So he got one of his metal guys who looked at it. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to get the crease at the flair near the wheel to look right. Any comments on that? I'm in the Portland Oregon Metro area if anyone has any sujestions for good shops around here. Thanks for the info so far! -James > The problem is: > [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] >> >> SUBTOTAL $2591.60 For a good metal man: A piece of cake! The trick is the last in, the first out, then shrinking without heat. Refinish King > The shop manager talked about repairing rather then replacing the rear > quarter panel, since I told him I was paying for it myself and we have a [quoted text clipped - 75 lines] >>> >>> SUBTOTAL $2591.60 I would say that is very fair. Every thing looks in order to me. Automotive paint is very expensive, and hegoing to repair a door rather than replace or skin it. If it were me, I'd go for it. Your numbers don't jive. The total I get is 1847.60. Which based on my experience over the last couple of years is a fair price for the damage. All of these guys work with the flat rate book these days, which will make any reputable shop competitive with one another. Make sure he knows you are taking this out of your pocket and ask if he can do better for cash rather than a card. As an example I had a surface crease in two of the doors on my Intrepid in the lower panel and a small inch tear in the side of the front facia and they wanted $1300 here on Long Island in NY. Good luck. Bill > I've got some body damage to my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The damage > happened outside of insurance coverage (ex-wife, arg!) so now I need to get [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > SUBTOTAL $2591.60 You forgot to add in the line item: $764.00 Side panel. Refinish King > Your numbers don't jive. The total I get is 1847.60. Which based on my > experience over the last couple of years is a fair price for the [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >> >> SUBTOTAL $2591.60 |
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