Body Shop Estimate Template
A body shop estimate or a collision repair estimate provides the price a prospective customer (most likely an insurance company) will likely pay to have a vehicle restored to its pre-collision condition. Collision repair estimates lay out the scope of work, then use procedural pages, or “P pages,” to list costs for materials and for anticipated labor times necessary to complete the project. Although the estimate price doesn’t need to match the final invoiced price, body shops should strive to make them as accurate as possible.
(No Ratings Yet)
Scope of Work
When writing an auto body or collision repair estimate, detail is important. This will allow proper estimation of cost, using P pages. Also, it will be difficult to justify a total cost if an estimate does not include all of the work that needs to be completed to return the vehicle to pre-collision condition. In order to truly define the extent of damage and thus the scope of work, some questions to ask are:
- How was the vehicle damaged?
- What size/type of vehicle or object did it collide with?
- What were their relative speeds?
- Can standard tools be used to reshape the metal?
Greater detail in outlining the scope of work will lead to greater detail in the estimate which can lead to a less complicated negotiation with an insurance company and a greater chance for a complete reimbursement.
Line Items and Costs
Once the scope of work has been established, the estimation of cost can begin. Using the OEM repair procedures and the P pages, the cost of parts and of labor can be listed and a total estimated cost arrived at.
Common Body Shop Estimate Issues
A source of frustration for body shops is dealing with insurance companies. Here are some things to consider when writing an estimate that might help alleviate or mitigate potential issues:
Work That Has No Published Labor Times
Some work may not carry published labor times. Welding certain parts, for example. Labor times may need to be derived by the estimator. If the estimator is not familiar with a process, consult a technician that is.
When in Doubt, Consult the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) Website
The DEG website is maintained in an effort to clarify confusion within the collision repair industry. It includes corrections to errors and omissions made by IP’s and seeks to bridge the gaps between OEM’s, insurance companies, and collision repair professionals. The website also offers tips and explanations for collision repair estimators. Here is a link: https://degweb.org
If Possible, Use the Same P Pages as the Insurance Company
Shops typically use one set of P pages and for very good reason. Cost to access all 3 provider’s pages can be prohibitive. However, there may be times when it is advisable to use the same IP that an insurance company uses in order to prevent difficulty due to communication issues. The DEG website provides free access to all of the commonly used P pages.
How to Use the Body Shop Estimate Template
Using the body shop estimate template is easy. Simply download it and fill it out, or use our free estimate generator.