how to find a good auto body repair shop

• Understand What to Expect. One tip on how to find a good auto body repair shop is knowing what to expect. ...
• Find a Quality Shop. Finding a top-notch service provider is among the overlooked tips on how to find a good auto body repair shop.
• Ask the Right Questions. Asking the right questions is a crucial aspect of how to find a good auto body repair shop. ...
• Acquire More Than One Estimate. Another tip on how to find a good auto body repair shop is obtaining several estimates. ...
• Use Word-Of-Mouth to Your Advantage. Many people may be unsure about where to go when their car needs repairs. ...

Full Answer

How do I choose the right body shop for my car?

Here are some of his tips for choosing the right shop to work on your car — particularly when you're the one paying the bills. Comparing estimates from competing body shops is a good way to keep the cost down. The cost of labor is the biggest expense in most auto body shops.

How do I find a good car repair shop?

Go to the bureau’s website to check on any repair shops you’re considering. You might want to try out some local shops for smaller repairs or maintenance work, such as oil or filter changes. Note how well the mechanics treat your car and how well they communicate with you.

How do I know if my car repair shop is AAA approved?

Warranty – Quality shops offer at least a 12-month/12,000-mile parts and labor warranty on their work. Look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair sign – Shop that display this logo have met high quality standards. Like most motorists today, you may be keeping your car longer.

How can I avoid Auto Body Shop overcharges?

Taking your car to several auto body shops for repair quotes is the best way to avoid overcharges, Mallette notes. "I'll tell people to go get some estimates and bring 'em back to me.

How do I find the best repair shop?

Here are some more things to look for when hiring someone to maintain or repair your vehicle.The shop has the right certifications. ... The shop has a good reputation. ... The shop has a clean rap sheet. ... The shop shows pride in its appearance. ... The shop's technicians communicate well. ... The shop has a clear warranty policy.More items...•

How do I know if my body shop did the job correctly?

If the car's general appearance passes muster, take a close look at the area that was repaired. Mallette recommends looking for gaps between body panels first. If the gaps are obviously uneven, that's a telltale sign of panels not being aligned correctly.

How do you know if a mechanic is good?

Another way to locate a trustworthy mechanic is by word of mouth. Ask friends, family members, and co-workers for referrals. If someone has had a particularly bad experience at a local garage, you'll know it! The most successful mechanics base their business on happy clients and excellent, timely work.

Are body shop estimates accurate?

An estimate is always an estimate. Actual costs will be different but the most honest and reputable collision repair shops in New Jersey like Frank's will tell you up front the entire range you can expect to pay, instead of only offering you a low figure to get you in the door.

Do you tip a body shop?

No need to tip, but if they do an exceptionally good job or give you just an amazing deal, then it might be good to throw them a bone so you can continue to have a good relationship with them for future needs.

How do you inspect a car body?

Exterior inspection checklist pointsStart with inspecting the exteriors.Take a good look around the glass panels.Check the suspension.Check for frame damage.Check all the lights and tires.Check under the hood.It's time to open the doors and look inside.Take the car for a spin.

How do you tell if a car mechanic is scamming you?

The 20 Most Common Mechanic ScamsRoutine maintenance uncovers mysterious problems. ... They won't show you the problem or broken part. ... They won't return old, damaged parts to you. ... They get angry at your requests. ... Some “quick lube” places are not to be trusted. ... “Your motor oil is low.” ... “You need a new air filter.”More items...•

How do you know if a mechanic is scamming you?

Is Your Mechanic Cheating You? 10 Things to Look Out ForThe Neverending Repair. Trending Video.The Scare Attempt.Fishy Terms.Cheap Spares.Unnecessary Repairs.Refusal to Show the Old Car Parts.Straying From the Manual.Bad Explanations.More items...

What should I expect from an auto repair shop?

What to Expect from an Auto Repair ShopExpect that the shop's employees are certified. ... Expect to be briefed on their procedures and their costs—in writing. ... Expect that they help you understand your repair. ... Expect that they keep you updated.

Should I send pictures to insurance company?

You should take pictures after an accident and send them to your insurance company as soon as possible. Taking and sending accident photos is a critical step in ensuring you have a valid claim.

Should I do photo estimate?

Documenting damage to your vehicle with your smartphone is a good idea, but not the best way to get an accurate estimate to repair the damage to your car. Photo estimates for auto insurance claims leave drivers at a disadvantage, potentially driving an unsafe vehicle and stuck with large out of pocket expenses.

Should I send pictures to insurance estimate?

But should you send your photos? Insurance companies developed the collision estimate app and this brilliant marketing idea to save them a lot of money, not to make your life easy. Take a picture of the damage but don't send it to your insurance company for an estimate. Bring your car to a body shop.

Survey the Available Service Providers

The first step to ensure a high quality of repairs is to canvas your area for the best body auto shop. You can get quotes from different places and ask relevant questions to ascertain whether the owners know their stuff.

Compare Quotes for Similar Work

When surveying surrounding areas for the best auto body shop, make sure to get quotes for the damage sustained by your vehicle. You can also compare standard rates for a typical type of car damage repair. It will make your decision to select the best body shop easier.

Top Body Shops Near Me

When looking for a car body repair shop, follow the ‘top body shops near me' mantra. Local shops are often better at customer care and will also offer to pick and drop the vehicle. Local shops tend to have lesser overheads and provide quality work at lower rates than bigger auto shops.

How many AAA approved auto repair facilities are there in the US?

The AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility Locator is a powerful search tool that gives you easy access to information on over 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America.

What is a specialty shop?

Specialists – Some independent auto repair shops specialize in certain vehicle makes or systems. By focusing on a limited part of the market, these shops can provide very efficient and effective service. A specialty shop can be a good choice if you drive the make of vehicle it services, or need the type of repairs it provides.

Tips to guide you to the best local mechanics and how to judge the repair estimate

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Sanity-Check Your Repair Estimate

Repair estimates can be confusing. But there are ways to make sure you’re not being overcharged for repairs beyond basic maintenance, such as oil changes. Start by checking CR’s Car Repair Assistant to find out roughly how much a specific repair should cost in your area. Compare that with a written estimate from your mechanic.

Car Maintenance Myths

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly. On the “ Consumer 101 ” TV show, host Jack Rico learns from Consumer Reports expert Jon Linkov the truth behind some of the biggest maintenance myths.