Auto body repair shops focus on repairing a car’s frame, doors, windows, and fenders. They use laser frame diagnostic systems and specialized shaping tools to restore your car’s structure to its pre-accident form.
Mechanics do not paint, so it’s not cost-effective for them to have the space and skilled painters needed for this task. A poorly painted vehicle will affect its aerodynamics and can lead to future problems.
Quality Work
Auto body repair Denver CO, is a highly skilled job that requires attention to detail and problem-solving abilities. It also requires manual dexterity to handle tasks such as sanding, priming, painting, and refinishing. These skills are necessary to provide quality repairs that restore vehicles to their pre-accident condition.
The first step in the collision repair is to straighten the vehicle’s frame. This can be done by securing the car on a frame machine or using a rack. Mallette says you can often see poor quality work by looking at the distance between a car’s front tire and fender.
Paint is the next part of the repair process. This is where auto body shops shine, as they have the space and equipment to match paints properly. On the other hand, mechanics rarely do paintwork and need more resources to handle it well.
Timely Service
Unlike mechanics who may do tune-ups, inspect electrical systems, and work on mechanical parts, auto body shops specialize in structural and cosmetic repairs. They keep your car looking new and help preserve resale value. While minor dents, scratches, and paint chips might seem insignificant initially, they can lead to more damage over time if not taken care of promptly.
Similarly, auto body shops know when to use aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts to cut costs and speed up the repair process. However, using cheap parts can decrease performance, void the manufacturer’s warranty, and cause additional problems.
When choosing an auto body shop, ask for several estimates and compare the cost of parts and labor. If one estimate is significantly lower than the other, it might be a sign that the cheaper shop is cutting corners or using poor-quality details. Also, check out their reputation and reviews. A good shop will be able to provide references from satisfied customers.
Reputation
The auto body repair business relies on trust. In addition, many consumers choose a shop because their insurance company lists it as an approved facility.
However, some shops manipulate consumers by overcharging and misrepresenting their work. Consumers can combat this by doing their research. It’s vital to ask friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations, but you can also search online for reviews and testimonials.
Avoid generic websites that allow anyone to leave a review when searching for customer feedback. Instead, focus on websites specialized in helping consumers make educated decisions. These websites usually only publish feedback from verified customers who’ve used the service.
Look for longer comments explaining the service type you can expect to receive. Read carefully and pay attention to the dates of the reviews. Be wary of words that appear to be made within a concise timeframe; this could indicate a targeted campaign by the auto body shop to add new reviews.
Warranty
Whether your car is damaged by hail, road debris, or a collision, an auto body shop can repair the damage and restore it to its original condition. They have specialized tools and expertise to make structural repairs that keep your vehicle safe, presentable, and with a preserved resale value.
Many auto body shops will also offer a written warranty on their work. It is essential to check how long it lasts and what it covers. You want a contract to give you peace of mind while driving your repaired car.
While you may look at a dented fender or bumper and decide it doesn’t look right, other body panels suffer from the same impact force. A good body shop will check the entire car to ensure it is aligned and there are no hidden damages before putting it back together. This includes the frame and other mechanical parts. Misusing your vehicle, such as racing or off-roading, or tampering with the odometer will likely void a warranty.