Collision repair costs depend on four things: how many panels are damaged, whether they can be repaired or must be replaced, the type of paint and whether the structure is bent. No honest shop can name a price without seeing the car. What you can do is learn what each line of an estimate means.
Key takeaways
- No two collisions are priced alike, even with the same visible dent.
- Parts type and paint type move the total most.
- A written estimate separates parts, labor and paint.
Parts: the first big line
New original equipment parts cost the most. Aftermarket crash parts and used parts cost less. Which is right depends on your car's age, your policy and your preference. California requires that you be told which type goes on the car, and you can ask for the price difference.
Labor by type
Estimates split labor into body labor for repair and replacement, paint labor for prep and spraying, mechanical labor for parts like suspension and cooling, and frame labor for structural work. Hours multiplied by rates produce the cost. Paint labor is often misunderstood. Most of it is prep, not spraying.
Paint materials
Paint cost depends on color type. Solid colors cost less than metallic and pearl finishes. Blending into adjacent panels adds hours but is often the difference between a good match and a visible repair. If your car has a limited edition or tri-coat finish, say so up front.
Hidden damage and supplements
The first estimate covers visible damage. Once panels come off, the shop may find a bent bracket, a cracked support or a damaged sensor. That adds a supplement. It is normal for a good shop to warn you of the possibility, and it is a red flag when surprises arrive without a phone call.
Why local quotes can differ
Labor rates, parts sourcing and overhead vary between shops, and so do philosophies on repair versus replace. A Cupertino customer told us another shop's quote on a bumper replacement and repaint was more than double ours. Comparing line by line shows where a gap comes from.
Get a free estimate in Santa Clara
Questions about collision repair? Read our Collision Repair page, call (408) 243-2530, or send photos through the estimate form. International Auto Center Body Shop, 1499 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Frequently asked questions
Can you give a price over the phone?
Not honestly. Photos give a rough idea, but an in-person estimate is needed for a firm number.
Is the estimate binding?
It is based on visible damage. Hidden damage can add a supplement, which you should approve before it is done.
Why is paint so expensive?
Because prep, color matching and clear coat take time and materials.
Do aftermarket parts lower the cost?
Often, though quality and fit vary. Ask which part type is on the estimate.
Related reading
Sources
- California Legislature, Insurance Code section 1874.87 (Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights)
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair, Consumer information on auto body repair