Published June 26, 2024
A collision repair estimate can run to several pages of part numbers, abbreviations and hours. It looks technical, but almost every estimate is built from the same few kinds of lines. Once you know them, you can see what you are paying for and compare two estimates fairly.
The four kinds of charges
- Parts. Each part that will be replaced, with a price. The description usually says whether it is a new part from the carmaker, an aftermarket part, or a used or reconditioned one.
- Body labor. Hours to remove, repair or replace panels and parts. Shops charge an hourly rate times the hours listed.
- Refinish (paint) labor. Hours to prepare, prime, paint and clear-coat the repaired areas.
- Paint and materials. The paint, primer, clear coat, sandpaper, filler and masking used. This is often calculated from the refinish hours rather than itemized.
You may also see sublet lines. These are jobs sent to a specialist, such as a wheel alignment or a sensor calibration, billed at their cost.
Abbreviations you will see
- R&R (remove and replace): the old part comes off and a new one goes on.
- R&I (remove and install): a part is taken off to reach the damage, then the same part goes back on. Door handles, trim and lights are common examples.
- Repair: the existing panel is straightened and refinished instead of replaced. The hours show how much work the shop expects.
- Blend: paint is faded into the panel next to the repaired one so the color change is not visible. This is normal and usually a sign of careful work, not padding.
- Overlap: a reduction applied when two panels share labor, so the same work is not charged twice.
Why the final bill can differ
A first estimate is based on what can be seen from the outside. Once a bumper cover or door panel is removed, broken brackets, cracked absorbers or bent supports often show up. The shop then writes a supplement, an addition to the estimate for the newly found damage. If insurance is paying, the supplement goes to the insurer for approval. Supplements are common on collision repairs, so it is worth asking at the start how the shop will let you know if one is needed.
Comparing two estimates
A lower total is not automatically the better deal. Line them up and check:
- Are both replacing the same parts, or is one repairing a panel the other replaces?
- Do both include blending the neighboring panels?
- Are the parts the same type (new from the carmaker, aftermarket or used)?
- Does one leave out items such as clips, emblems or moldings that will be needed anyway?
Differences in those lines usually explain most of the gap between two totals.
Questions to ask before you approve
- Which parts will be new, aftermarket or used, and why?
- Which panels will be blended?
- How will you contact me if you find more damage?
- When do you expect the car to be ready, and what could change that?
Getting an estimate from us
You can start without driving over: send photos of the damage and a short description, and we will look at them and follow up. For anything beyond light damage, we will want to see the car in person at our shop on Foster Ave, because hidden damage only shows up once parts come off. See our collision repair page for how a repair moves from inspection to delivery.
