One of these days, you may find yourself having to choose an auto body repair service for your vehicle. Maybe you’ve moved into a new area and need to locate reputable shops.

Perhaps something has happened to your car, and it’s covered by insurance. Or maybe, you had a fender bender with no major damage. Whatever your reason for requiring auto body repair, one thing is certain: you want to find a reliable shop and get your car back as soon as possible.

But how do you pick the right shop? Well, the main key is doing some research first. With that said, check out the tips below to learn how to select a good auto body repair service.

1. Ask Around

If possible, try to find a reference for the shop, especially someone who has used them repeatedly and has only good things to say. Ask your neighbors, family, and co-workers. Also, check on social media forums like Facebook.

Once you’ve found one or two places that seem like they might fit the bill, it’s time to make some phone calls. First, call each shop and ask about their hours.

If you work during normal business hours, try to find out if they are open later. This is vital information in case there is an issue on your way home from work. Plus, find out if they are available for after-hours emergencies.

Ask how long it takes to get an estimate for repairs. Remember that estimate, because you’ll need it later. Furthermore, be sure to inquire about all the details of the repairs.

Find out what part of the car will be repaired and what parts are being replaced with new ones. Ask how long it will take to complete, who will perform the work, and what kind of warranty is included.

This may seem like too many questions, but trust us, you’ll be happy you asked!

2. Do an Internet Search

A bit of internet searching should turn up several options within a reasonable distance that could work for your needs. After you’ve found a few spots, be sure to check the place out in person before allowing any work on your vehicle.

Try to go when it’s not busy. Otherwise, you might get stuck waiting for hours. The car repair employees may overlook you if you’re there to ask questions and not receive services.

3. Inquire About Additional Charges

Some vehicle repair shops try to sell you “extra” services that you don’t really need. Remember, every auto body shop is different. Some may offer to do extra jobs at no cost, while others might require an extra fee.

Additionally, ask how they want to be paid. It’s usually by credit card or cash.

4. Get the Details on the Paperwork

Inquire about any information that they need from you. If the work is covered by your insurance, you’ll likely have to submit paperwork detailing what happened before getting an estimate for repairs.

Be sure to get the contact information of the individual with whom you spoke with, so you can follow up later on.

In addition to doing research ahead of time, make sure you know what your coverage entails. Most insurance policies provide reimbursement up to a certain amount for repairs. If the place that you choose is more expensive, they may not be willing to do the car repairs.

Auto body shops typically work with local independent adjusters who come by and look over the damage before approving services.

5. Choose an Auto Body Shop That Suits Your Needs

For minor damage, you may decide to go with an auto body shop for the sake of convenience, and that’s okay. If the job is small, you may not have to go to a top-tier repair shop.

On the other hand, you may want to get your fender bender repaired at a local car dealership. Sometimes, the car dealership is more reliable than independent shops.

After much research and preparation, it should be much easier to pick a place that fits your needs.

6. Ask About Expertise

You don’t want your car fixed by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Be sure to do some research on the shop’s experience level. Most auto body repair facilities specialize in repairing cars that are damaged.

But these days, just about every car on the market is equipped with some type of computer chip and wiring. Therefore, it’s imperative to go to an auto body shop that has experience working on modern vehicles.

Most auto body shop owners expend their time and money to maintain equipment and learn advanced skills to provide quality service to their customers.

Furthermore, not every auto body shop offers the same services. So, it’s important to find one that does the type of work that you need.

7. Find Out About the Customer Service

When selecting a vehicle repair service, it is vital to keep in mind that the customer experience should always be a top priority. This is absolutely essential! If past customers had poor experiences with the shop, you shouldn’t take your car there.

Are you looking for a reliable auto body shop in McKinney, TX? If so, check outm Vivid Auto Body services.

Selecting the Right Auto Body Repair Service

This article provides tips on how to choose an auto body repair service. Again, the steps include doing research ahead of time, making phone calls, asking detailed questions, knowing your insurance coverage, and being aware of additional charges. If you follow those steps, you’ll have a greater chance of selecting a good car repair shop.

Thanks for reading, we hope you found this information helpful! If so, check out more of our website!