How to Choose the Right Car Collision Repair Shop

After a car collision, you want quick repairs so that you can get back on the road as soon as possible. However, you don’t want to overpay or get sub-par results. Choosing a quality repair shop can be challenging, and you may have heard horror stories from people who were taken advantage of during their time of need. Your vehicle is an essential part of your life, and we want to help you take care of it without worry.

If your car is currently out of commission due to a collision, call Dutch Valley Auto Works to get started on getting your freedom back! Auto collision repair services should never come with uncertainty, which is why we do everything we can to help guide you through the repair process – call us today and get a friendly partner in car collision repair!

Assess Their Qualifications

While most professional auto body repair shops require their technicians to be certified, it’s always a good idea to double-check and verify the certifications the staff working on your vehicle have. There are general certifications, such as the Assured Performance and I-CAR certifications. These often have requirements to get, like competency and a well-maintained garage.

Most vehicle manufacturers will also provide their own certifications, which may be relevant if you are a big fan of a specific maker and want to ensure your vehicle is treated properly. Always ask if the shop has a technician who can process your vehicle with confidence and efficiency.

Check Out The Reviews

One of the most essential methods for vetting your car collision repair shop is to examine its history. Google reviews, car websites, and local reviews like Yelp can all be incredibly valuable for learning more about local auto repair shops. Pay attention to comments about staff friendliness, the quality of results, and the speed of service. And with review sites, you can often look for specializations and the quality of specific services.

If you are only looking at star ratings, a good rule of thumb is to value the number of ratings more than the number of stars. A 5-star shop with 1 review only had to impress one person – a 4.9 shop with hundreds of reviews had to impress repeatedly!

Consider Overhead

Labor charges are often the primary source of your costs when considering the price of car collision repairs. While higher costs can result from higher-quality work and materials, they may also simply stem from a higher cost of living in the area where the shop is located.

When you are obtaining quotes and discussing the repairs with potential body shops, take the time to obtain an itemized list of fees, including materials and per-hour labor. Knowing what you are paying for is essential to saving money and knowing you are getting your money’s worth.

Get Several Estimates

Don’t settle for your first estimate; don’t assume that your go-to auto body repair shop is giving you the best possible price. While you might value things like customer service and friendly car techs more than you can put a dollar amount on, you should play the field and ask around for other options.

Ensure that every estimate you receive is itemized as thoroughly as possible, providing you with all the necessary information to compare and contrast it with other shops properly. What kind of paints or replacement windows will be used? How many hours will be required for the repair services? Every shop should have established time estimates for all their services, but your specific vehicle and situation may affect this number.

Ask Questions

Don’t get an estimate and immediately pull out your wallet – ask key questions that will reveal more about the quality of the repair services they provide. Always dive deeper into what they say is needed for the repair process, and ask about critical certifications and proof of their quality:

• Does the shop provide a written warranty? How long does the warranty last, and what does it cover?
• Are they insured in case your vehicle is damaged while under their care? Fire and theft are rare, but can have a negative impact.
• How long has the auto collision shop been in business? Do they have a business license?
• What materials will be used: new, used, or aftermarket? While new parts are typically ideal, used and aftermarket options might be just as good – just be sure to follow up and confirm what you are getting.

Cars are complicated pieces of machinery, and chances are good that you don’t know everything about them. A good car collision repair shop will be able to explain clearly the whys and hows of the car repair process, giving you more confidence that you will walk away happy with the results.

Call Dutch Valley Auto Works for All of Your Car Repair Needs!

Don’t worry about shady repair shops – spot them at a glance when you know what to look for! Understanding the importance of certifications, reviews, and detailed billing can provide valuable insights into the quality of your car collision repairs.

We understand why these concerns might come up and want to give you every opportunity to choose a repair shop that isn’t just acceptable, but exceptional. The Dutch Valley Auto Works shop has the professional, friendly, and experienced staff to help you get driving on to your next adventure without issue – call today!