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Finding a suitable auto body shop requires sufficient time and effort. When looking for a collision repair shop, you must put certain things into consideration to receive quality services. It is helpful to understand what to consider when shopping for the correct auto body shop. Let’s delve into the key things to pay attention to when seeking professional services from an auto body shop:
See a Shop’s Online Presence
When seeking top-notch services from the best auto body shop, a good place to reference first is the shop’s website and/or social media. Do they have an online presence? If so, take advantage and review the information they provide. Examine the services they offer, the vehicles makes they service, if they have any photos of their work listed, even better!
It is helpful to examine what the shop states about themselves, as well as examining their online reputation and reviewing the testimonials. Google My Business listings are a great place to review the reviews and get a better understanding of what recent customer experiences, including satisfaction, are like.
Consult your family and friends
Another great place to explore body shop options is from your friends and relatives that own or operate vehicles. They can give you genuine and trustworthy information concerning the best auto body shops to deal with from their experience. In addition, they will provide you with suitable references and recommendations.
Find out which auto body shops your acquaintances have had positive experiences with. Once you can develop a list of professionals, it becomes easy to do due diligence and settle for an ideal service provider meeting your expectations.
Ask the right questions
Most people usually shy away from asking questions, feeling that they may be a nuisance. When looking for quality collision repair services, you must know which questions to ask. Asking the right questions enables you to make a solid selection. The key questions to ask an auto body shop expert include:
Do you offer warranties?
Reliable auto body shop professionals usually offer warranties. This is because they believe in their quality of work and will not mind handling your vehicle if their services did not meet your expectations.
What should I expect in terms of turnaround time?
A good professional should have an estimated turnaround time. A reliable collision repair expert should not give false promises but reasonable expectations. Find out how long it will take for the auto body shop to repair your car while putting the quality of the service as a priority.
Do you provide written estimates?
Auto body shops operate differently regarding quotes and estimates. Ask whether the experts you are interested in working with can provide written estimates. With a written estimate, you have an idea of what the expenses are expected to be up front.
Consider the location and overhead costs
A collision repair shop may charge differently depending on their location, services, and overhead costs. You will also have to incur different costs depending on how far you need to seek the services. Some of the overhead costs to consider include:
· Distance to and from the auto body shop
· Size of the autobody shop
· Number of the front-desk employees
These overhead costs can end up affecting the amount you will have to pay. It is important to account for the costs of the total job. We do not encourage cutting costs in a way that compromises repair work value. At the end of the day, getting your vehicle repaired correctly the first time saves from future repair need investments. Additionally, it is essential not to compromise repair value as it goes hand in hand with driver safety.