When you take your car in for auto body work, the mechanic will have a lot of work to do. Each minute that the mechanic spends prepping your car to make the repairs is money that you will owe when the repairs are finished. So, is there anything that you can do to make the mechanic's job a little easier and lower the cost of the repairs for you? This blog is all about preparing vehicles for auto body repairs. Here, you will learn what prep-work you can do at home so that the repairs are completed more quickly and the cost is less.
When you've been in an accident, you're probably seeking estimates from a few of the local auto collision repair shops. You may find that those estimates vary, sometimes widely. Not only that, but those estimates may not be in the range that you expected. Whether the estimates are higher or lower than you anticipated, it's beneficial to understand the factors that affect them. Here's a look at a few of the things that you should understand about the elements that affect the cost of your collision repair.
Type Of Damage
One of the factors that will affect the cost of your collision repair estimate is the type of damage that your car sustained. If it was a minor fender-bender with minimal damage, such as just a cracked fender cover, that will cost you far less than an accident in which a door or trunk was caved in and must be addressed.
Small dents, cracks, and similar flaws are usually fairly easy to fix and may only require touch-up paint matched in the affected area after the repair. These tasks take less time and materials, making them far more affordable than something more extensive that requires panel replacements and such.
Extent Of Damage
The next factor to consider when you're getting an auto collision repair estimate is the extent of the damage. If your car suffered some minimal impact damage, even if it came with airbag deployment, that will be much more affordable to fix than a rear-end collision that twisted the frame or unibody.
Remember that, in the case of more severe accidents, your technician will have to assess the body condition to determine if the frame or unibody suffered significant damage. In some cases, a warped or cracked frame results in a vehicle that can't be fixed, but when restoration is possible, it will increase the cost of your repair estimate.
Type Of Vehicle
Many car owners don't realize that the vehicle they own will also directly affect the cost of any collision repairs. Some vehicles are easier and more affordable to repair because components are easily accessed. Other vehicles, such as some imported models, are much more expensive to repair because replacement parts must be imported at an additional cost. If you own an imported car, ask your collision repair technician about the availability of parts to help determine if access is a factor in your repair cost.
These are a few of the many things that can contribute to the cost of your collision repair. Talk with your auto body shop technician today for more details.
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