car paint/damage quote

kitch

So I scraped the front end of my car against a wall (driver's side corner bumper cover, beside & under the headlight). I went to a place to get a quote on how much it'd cost, and this is what they're telling me:

parts: 33.29
body labor: 4.4 hrs @ 45.00/hr = 198.00
paint labor: 3.3 hrs @ 45.00/hr = 148.50
paint supplies: 3.3 hrs @ $30.00/hr = 99.00

subtotal:
$478.79

Does this seem a little expensive for an area about the size of a basketball?

Everywhereasign

Depends greatly on the car and the quality of the work. If accurate I too would say it's a bit on the pricey side, but pretty close to accurate.

For something like this you should be getting more then one quote anyway. Never go with what the first person says unless you have experience with them and know they'll do good work at a reasonable price. Take it to a couple more places, make sure you ask for a free quote, see what they say.

Erandus

Don't mention the amount you were quoted from the first place when you're shopping around. Perhaps mention in passing you have a quote from another shop and you're looking to someone who can do better.

backspace

I agree , don't mention your quote to other places and definitely shop around before settling- most of these places carry photo books of a 'before' and 'after' to show the quality of work they do, i recommend asking about this since you want to make sure they do a good job. Your insurance company have some local places they refer to for this type of work as well, you can always call them and ask what body shops they recommend.

TexiKen

They still have to paint the whole panel to make it match, which would mean taking off the whole bumper to paint it. That seems about right to repair and paint and clear coat. Maybe below $450, but it depends on if you're going to someplace like Maaco or a dealer's repair shop.

Gafoto

Yeah, sadly that is about right. Paint on cars is ridiculously expensive. In comparison, an entire paintjob (for something close to a factory finish) will be several thousand dollars.

ApexMirage

How are they charging you for supplies per hour? Should it not be a cost per unit of some sort?

eternalbl

If that's US dollars, I'd check around a little more. Getting a rundown of how the labour is calculated would be a good idea. If you really don't know where the time is being applied, how can you really understand a fair deal when you find it?

Also, you'd be amazed how bad a paint job can be. If you like the car worry about money second and the reputation of the body shop first.

zilo

kitch wrote: »

So I scraped the front end of my car against a wall (driver's side corner bumper cover, beside & under the headlight). I went to a place to get a quote on how much it'd cost, and this is what they're telling me:

parts: 33.29
body labor: 4.4 hrs @ 45.00/hr = 198.00
paint labor: 3.3 hrs @ 45.00/hr = 148.50
paint supplies: 3.3 hrs @ $30.00/hr = 99.00

subtotal:
$478.79

Does this seem a little expensive for an area about the size of a basketball?

That labor rate is good, at least. $40-50 is common. If it's just the bumper cover, 4 hours seems a bit much. If it's the bumper cover + another part of the car, it's totally reasonable.

illig

if it's just the bumper cover, then consider replacing it... you can probably find a brand new bumper on the interwebs for less, then you just have to get it painted for much less.. i'd do the removal/installation yourself

if you're looking to really save, then go to a junkyard and find a good condition bumper cover that's already in your paint color... should set you back $100 tops

Gafoto

I have more than a few dings and scrapes on my car, it happens when you park near other people or things rather inevitably. Chances are, this will happen again and it probably won't even be your fault. Unless you feel you absolutely must, I would just let it slide.

kitch

Gafoto wrote: »

I have more than a few dings and scrapes on my car, it happens when you park near other people or things rather inevitably. Chances are, this will happen again and it probably won't even be your fault. Unless you feel you absolutely must, I would just let it slide.

Well, it's a pretty deep scrape in one spot and I don't want to risk it rusting. I got another quote on Friday for about $50 less, but I know the shop isn't as quality as the first place I checked.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Djeet

If you're just worried about rust, pick up the $10 touch up stick from the dealer. If you want to get real fancy wash down the area with dawn, claybar it, then touch it up. Doing this won't increase how much it costs if you want to get it fixed later.