Where to go, what to evaluate and how not to be deceive?

In most cases, a car service is contact for the elimination of dents after accidents. In addition, over time, defects caused by corrosion and operational features are inevitable.

But the reality is that car owners, when applying for auto body repair shop, confused by myths and ignorance of the intricacies of process. Which ultimately affects the quality of work. That is why we suggest that you familiarize with the basic concepts and recommendations for body repair before contacting them.

Who To Contact?

The quality of the bodywork carried out depends not on the appearance of the car. It also depends on technical condition. That is why the choice of a repair station should be approached with all responsibility.

There are three types of auto body repair shops on the market that can be contacted with a defective body problem – authorize dealers, independent auto body repair shops and garage shops. Let’s consider each of them in more detail.

1. Official Dealers

These are well-known organizations that have the right to trade in certain brands of cars serve them according to specific standards.

At first glance, this is a very attractive option: the craftsmen have extensive experience working with the brand of your particular car and use only specialized equipment and branded spare parts. But it is worth considering, paying for the service, are you paying for repairs, or are you spending most of the costs for the dealer’s exterior gloss?

The advantages of dealerships include: high-quality specialized equipment, availability of all necessary parts, highly qualified personnel and an official warranty for repairs.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out: the inflated cost of spare parts and the “imposition” of those products that are unnecessary at the moment in order to increase sales. Complex pricing, due to which the initially announced cost can be increased several times.

2. Independent Auto Body Repair Shops

Under this type, repair stations with an area of ​​350 m 2 and more are supposed to have their own spray booth, professional welding equipment, a slipway for correcting body defects, etc. Why is so much attention paid to the workshop area? Sufficient space allows technologically correct construction of the repair process and the location of the necessary equipment without prejudice to repair work.

The obvious advantages are: flexible terms of service and an official guarantee for the work provided. As a rule, a well-formed qualified staff with extensive experience. Availability of the necessary equipment and quality materials. Lower repair cost compared to the dealership.

3. Garage Workshops

This category includes private craftsmen who serve car owners in garages converted into workshops. In pursuit of “easy money” many self-taught craftsmen were carry away by such repairs. Among them, of course, there may be really good masters, but the risk of running into a non-professional who will only aggravate the situation is too great.

Advantages of such workshops: certainly, low cost. In addition, in such places they are ready to tackle any problem without even thinking.

The disadvantages include: complete lack of quality assurance. Poor technical equipment and cheap materials, and as a result, a violation of the auto body repair shops process. Violation of technology (in particular, painting – the excessive addition of a hardener to the varnish leads to cracking of the coating after a short time). But the worst risk is in losing your car. If something happens to your car during the repair, it will turn into big problems, since it is impossible to prove anything and there are no official reasons for compensation.

Finding a good body repair service can take a long time, but a leisurely approach is guarante to save you from unnecessary expenses and unforeseen consequences.

What should you pay attention to?

Having decided on the service to which you are ready to entrust the body repair of your car, take the time and effort to evaluate it by several parameters.

4- In the Internet

Before going to the selected service, look for information about it. Data on how long the company has been in the market and what experience it has will be useful. Most good car services themselves are interest in familiarizing their potential customers, so they post such information for free access.

Of course, a big plus will be positive reviews about the chosen station, which can be find on official sites, forums of motorists or simply from friends.

5- At A Service Consultant

It is important to find out what list of body repair services is presented in a car service. Good workshops can provide a full range of services, from replacing the rear fender to major body geometry fixes and body painting. All this is impossible without the modern complex equipment of the auto body repair shops, which is also worth asking in detail.

Also pay attention to the cost of the services offered. Average prices are acceptable. A service that respects itself and its customers will not overestimate the cost, and the average price justifies the good equipment and quality materials used. And, of course, the qualifications of specialists.

In case of body repair, an acute issue is the guarantee for the work perform, as well as the guarantee of the use of certified spare parts. The lack of a guarantee does not speak in favor of the chosen center, because if even now the workshop is not ready to take responsibility for the service provided, what can the repair turn out to be after some time?

The warranty period for the paintwork should be at least 6 months, it is also a good idea to clarify whether there is a guarantee for getting into the color.

6- In the Auto Body Repair Shop

Most of the work carried out in the elimination of body defects is hidden, that is, these cannot be assess at the beginning. And a significant advantage of the chosen auto repair shop will be the permission for you to go through and inspect the workshop.

Having entered the site and met with the master who will repair your car, pay attention to the quality of the straightening and welding work he does. Straightened panels should be as close to their original shape as possible, but slightly wavy – this is a guarantee that the layer of putty applied on top will not crack and will not be too thick. All gaps and joint lines must be even. Weld seams must be neat.

Check Here: St George auto body

What to ask about?

A client interested in the quality of services is a priori curious. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask questions to fully make sure that you are putting your car in good hands.

1. How will the car service ensure the safety of the car for the period of repair?

The service should have a security post, security and fire alarms, it is also good if the car is insure by an insurance company for the duration of the repair.

2. How long will the repair be done?

The specific time frame should be report to you after a specialist examination. Body repairs take time and cannot be complete overnight. Also ask if there will be compensation for a possible delay in the deadline?

3. What is the maximum cost?

Often, initially, you may be tell a low price, after which the car will be disassemble and the cost increase. Try to find out the maximum cost, check if there is a possibility of hidden damage? In 90% of cases, the price can be announc before the repair.

4. Are reinforcement works include in the price?

In order to save time, craftsmen may simply not remove the

• turn signals
• moldings
• door handles

But simply glue them with tape. Such incompetent staining will lead to peeling paint in these areas in the future.

5. To what extent are the proposed operations necessary?

Trying to artificially raise the price, you may be force to perform additional operations. For example, remove the wheel and suspension when painting the wing. In fact, it is enough to cover them with a protective film. The repair of a specific part includes only those parts that are associate with it.

6. Will old parts be return after repair?

If spare parts are not return, then there is risk of replacing the part with a new one. In such case the old one will be repair.

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