Some Santa Monica drivers may be caught off-guard by their car repair estimates. Even small repairs can have high body shop estimates because of the type of damage and the type of material your vehicle is made from. To avoid the shock of high car repair estimates, Beverly Hills drivers can learn how to calculate their body shop estimates before they get a repair. Knowing how to estimate repair costs will help drivers plan their budgets and give them a better idea of what to expect when they visit a shop. Learn how to estimate your collision repair costs with Eli’s Collision Repair, then contact our team to learn more about our iCard gold class certified technicians.
Steps to Estimated Your Collision Repair Costs
There are five steps South Bay drivers need to take in order to estimate their car repair costs. Each step is relatively easy, but you may want to get a pad of paper, a calculator, and open your computer to do some research. Read each step below before contacting a body shop near you in Downtown LA:
Step 1: Be Honest About The Damage To Your Vehicle
Even if the damage to your vehicle looks minor from the outside, there could be more serious damage underneath. Wires may need to be replaced or there could be damage to circuit boards that power your entertainment system. There could also be leaks in windows or windshields and frame parts that need to be welded. Each of these small costs can add up to be more than you’re expecting to pay. When you look over your vehicle, it’s important to look at what is wrong and what could be wrong to get a big picture cost.
Step 2: Use A Collision Repair Cost Calculator
Using a collision repair cost calculator will give you an approximate car repair estimate. All you need to do is enter information about your vehicle type, year, and the damage that was done. Eli’s Collision Repair center has an advanced collision repair cost calculator for Mid Wilshire-area customers to use. It’s easy to fill out and provides an accurate body shop estimate.
Step 3: Talk With Auto Parts Shops
As you research what’s damaged on your vehicle, you’ll want to contact local auto part stores to see how much OEM parts will cost. If there’s a shop you trust in the West LA area, you can take a list of the parts you need to them and write down the price for each. This will help you get an idea of what a collision repair cost could be.
Step 4: Get Estimate from Repair Shop
Once you have a better idea of what your repair costs could be, contact a trusted body shop near you like Eli’s Collision Repair and get an estimate. A collision repair estimate is free and will give you a better idea of the extent of the damage to your vehicle and what it will cost to have it repaired.
Step 5: Consider Doing Small Repairs Yourself
If the damage to your car is as minimal as a small dent or a paint scratch, you may be able to do the repair yourself. This will help you save on the cost of parts and labor. However, it’s important to know your limits too. If you’re unsure you can perform the repair properly, it’s better to get it done by a collision repair center.
Fix Your Vehicle at Eli’s Collision Repair
Now that you know how to estimate your car repair costs, contact the team at Eli’s Collision Repair to get an estimate on your repairs. Our team has the highest certifications available for collision repair shops including iCard gold class certification, ASE certification, and manufacturer certifications from major industry car brands. Contact us today, we look forward to getting your vehicle looking like new!