Finding an auto body shop you can count on and trust can be a long process. If you need a repair, you may have gotten a quote from two or three shops and may be leaning toward the cheaper option. But is that the best option for your vehicle? Here are our tips for choosing a quality auto body shop.
- Word of Mouth Matters – At some point, every car owner has needed and gone to an auto body shop. So, ask your friends, family members, and neighbors who they use and trust. This is a great starting step for finding local shops with good reputations.
- Get Multiple Estimates –It’s essential to get multiple quotes to get a sense of the job, like hiring any contractor or service. While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest option, it’s not unusual for companies that offer dramatically low prices to skip steps in the repair process that may cause more significant issues for you and your car down the road.
- Ask Lots of Questions – If it’s your first time visiting the shop, you may have many questions for the mechanic or manager. Ensure you get all your questions answered before deciding if it’s the right auto body shop for you. Some questions to ask may be: How long will this take? Does the shop provide a warranty? What does the warranty cover? Is your shop insured?
- Ask for Recent Reviews – Any reputable auto body shop will have many positive customer reviews and be happy to share them with you. Make sure they are recent reviews from within the last 3-5 months to gauge the kind of work they do.
- Trust Your Gut – After going through these steps, you will be able to tell if you can trust the mechanic and the work they will provide. Listen to your gut if it’s telling you to pick a specific shop over another.