If you’ve been in a car collision, one of the things you’ll need to worry about is finding an autobody shop to fix any damage your ride sustained from the accident. Here are some questions to help you:
What do you know about the shop?
Don’t go for the shop nearest to you unless you’ve thoroughly checked it out. Not knowing anything about the service center you’re basically handing your car over to could end in a lot of frustration and stress. Go online and know as much as you can about shops in your area before you pick one.
Does the shop have the right credentials?
Look for family-owned businesses that have been in the business for years. The longevity of these businesses usually mean a loyal customer base. Don’t forget to check out the staff as well. Are they trained and skilled? These matter if you want to make sure your car ends up in the right hands.
How long will the repair take?
This will hugely depend on how busy the repair shop is, how many cars are lined up before yours or if there’s going to be a holiday in the next day or two, says Carwise so keep that in mind. However, the more extensive the damage to your car is, the longer the repairs will take. An experienced mechanic, though, could provide you with a good guess, after assessing the damage to your car.
How much are the repairs?
Go online and look up the average cost of the repairs in your area. That should give you a good gauge on how much you’ll need to shell out for the repairs. One tip, though: if the shop keeps raising its price or tacking on other charges to what they initially quoted you, it would be better to look for a more trustworthy autobody shop in your area.
