Accidents often occur when the driver does something unexpected. If you were in an accident yourself, chances are your vehicle is badly damaged. While the stress you sustained during this event will eventually pass on its own, the damage done to your vehicle won’t. So if you want to get back on the road and resume life like it was before the accident, you need to start your search for the best auto body repair shop.
However, these repair shops can be expensive, and you must do some research before delivering your vehicle for repairs. To help you save money and find the right auto body repair shop, we compiled a list of tips you can go over below.
Look for local collision repair centers
The best collision repair center might be just around the corner from your house. Unfortunately, a common mistake individuals make relatively often is going to auto body repair shops they heard about through word of mouth, without doing research.
The first step when looking for a collision repair center is to open your browsers and search for technicians near you. For instance, if you live in Regina, Saskatchewan, make sure you search for reputable auto body Regina-based repair shops to have your car checked and repaired for a fair price.
Keep in mind that out-of-town repair shops might cost a lot more because you might have to pay additionally for towing and other services to get your car to the shop.
Ask for references from friends and family
The best source of information is always family and friends. They mean you the best, and that’s why they will not hesitate to give an honest opinion. So, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and ask friends and family whether they know a good auto body repair center in the area.
If they know the technician working in the auto body repair shop on a personal level, you might even fetch a special discount. But, even if that’s not the case, you can expect to be charged just for the change of parts and work done.
Look for collision repair centers with certified specialists
Looking for certification as soon as you walk into the center will help you understand whether the technicians have the right skill set to repair your vehicle.
Auto body repair shops focus on various aspects of vehicle care including repairing, restoring, refinishing, and replacing your vehicle’s frame. To back their claims of excellence with facts, collision repair centers will often seek to obtain as many certificates as possible.
These certificates boost their credibility and let customers know what they can expect from that repair center.
Estimate the price you have to pay
Before you take the vehicle for repairs, you should prepare a sum of money so you are not caught off guard by the final check. While you can’t predict how much you will get charged, you can head to the collision repair center and ask for an estimate.
After you get an estimate from one place, you should head to another shop and ask them to provide you with one as well. Then, compare the prices and pick the shop that offers the most value for your money. Sometimes, paying more does not translate to getting the best service.
On that note, trusting your gut is always important. If you notice that the technicians are not that communicative and don’t answer your questions directly, you should take your vehicle to another shop.
Bottom line
While it’s incredibly stressful to get back onto the road after an accident, driving is an integral part of our life, and most of us use vehicles to commute to work daily. Make sure you find the right collision repair center because your vehicle should receive the care it deserves. In addition, don’t forget to ask your friends and family whether they know a reputable body shop technician in your local area to help you get back on the road much faster.
If you encounter a vehicle repair shop offering all-in-one services, you can consider getting the most out of it and maybe get a discount on multiple services. If you want repairs done on your vehicle’s frame or body, look for an auto body shop that specializes in that and backs its claims of excellence with certificates.
