Choosing an auto body shop

A written estimate should be a given before allowing a body shop to begin repairs.

Finding a quality auto body shop doesn't have to be a daunting task. You already know where to look. Find a list of local auto body shops on Kudzu.com.

Your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource to use in researching whether a body shop has had any customer complaints filed against it.

You also can check the website of the National Institute for Automobile Service Excellence to make sure the body shop is ASE-certified.

Body shop search checklist

Once you've narrowed your list down to a few places, visit the body shops and take note: 

• Is the auto body shop and its garage area neat and clean?
• Are the auto body shop's employees genuinely concerned with your questions and are their answers direct, to-the-point and reasonable?
• Ask about the body shop's warranty. Most automotive service centers will warranty their parts and labor in writing.
• Ask whether the body shop will deal directly with your insurance company to make the process as efficient as possible.

Make sure to get a written estimate prior to letting the body shop begin the repair. A good rule of thumb is to request approval on any changes to the original estimate that exceed 10 percent.

Depending on the make and model of your car, you might want to find a shop that deals largely, if not exclusively, with your type of vehicle. For example, some shops focus on American cars and trucks, while others are better with imports.

Auto painting checklist

• Determine your budget. Prices for automobile paint jobs can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, so make sure you know in advance how much you're comfortable with spending before you approve work on your car.


• Get a price estimate. Check with at least three automobile painting shops so you can feel confident that you will get a competitive price.


• Examine previous work. The best indication of the end result is to look at the shop's work before you take your car to them. Ask to see some completed paint jobs. You'll feel better about signing the estimate if you're confident about the end result.