Taking a car into the body shop happens for many reasons. It may be because of normal scratches and dings which occur over time or to brighten a fading paint job. The most common reason however, is usually because of a collision.
This is an occasion in which you may be facing several days without your vehicle and a substantial bill. This is why before you choose a shop for Car Body Repair in Stephens City VA you need to educate yourself about how to find a reliable shop so you will get the service you need. It is equally important for you to understand what you should expect from the experience.
Cutting Corners
Asking a repair shop to just “pound out” the dents or to reuse compromised parts may seem like a sensible choice because your bill will be lower. But damaged parts which are not fixed or incorrectly repaired will not be able to protect you and your passengers adequately if another accident occurs.
Estimates
Only work with shops who are willing to provide you with a detailed, itemized estimate. You can then compare estimates between shops equally, to be certain they are each quoting the job based on the same quality of work.
Patience
It takes time to complete bodywork correctly. Bonding agents, primer and paint all take time, not just to apply, but to dry completely. If you are having extensive work completed you can expect to be without your vehicle for several days or even a couple of weeks. If you do not have another vehicle, ask the body shop if they offer loaner cars, but ask before they begin any work.
Insurance
Always discuss everything with the insurance company before you have any work done. If they are not going to cover all the costs, you will be responsible for any remaining balance in addition to your deductible. Also know if they insist on seeing repair estimates before approving the repairs and if they require direct billing from the body shop.
Recommendations
Before you begin gathering estimates for car body repair in Stephens City VA, talk to your friends, family and neighbors. Personal experiences are a great way to narrow down the field of who you will want to do business with.
