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According to Webster’s Dictionary, to estimate means to generally calculate the expected price. The itemized estimate handed to car owners requesting repairs is an approximation of the total cost.
es·ti·mate
Transitive verb
- “to produce a statement of the approximate cost of;”
- “roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.”
Noun
- “a rough or approximate calculation: a numerical value obtained from a statistical sample and assigned to a population parameter;”
- “a statement of the cost of work to be done.”
Synonyms:
- Calculate roughly, approximate, guess.
- Appraisal, assessment, estimation, evaluation.
In the collision repair industry, an estimate is just the starting point for planning repair work. Unlike a comprehensive ‘repair plan’ which is performed after disassembly of the damaged vehicle, a quote doesn’t usually represent the final price for the work needed.
Only when the car is taken apart will the auto body shop have a truly accurate assessment of the damage. At that point, they will have a concrete idea of how long repairs will take and the specific parts that need to be ordered. The estimate serves to inform car owners of the parts and labor likely needed to fix it properly.
When the repair shop disassembles the vehicle and understands better the severity of the damage, they may find that additional work will be required. At Alexander’s, we work with the insurance company to get the claim completed and get the repair done well.
When an estimate is written, we cannot guess or make assumptions. In an original estimate, we can only write of what we see. That’s why there is usually a supplement. Another cause of supplements is the high rate of plastic parts being used on vehicles nowadays. Manufacturers are not considering the potential for things to be taken apart and reused. Instead, they are mostly focused on getting things off the assembly line, cheaply and quickly.
If a supplement is needed, the auto body shop will send a supplement request to the car insurance company. The repair shop must put the work on hold until the supplement is approved. This usually takes anywhere from two days to a week. An insurance adjuster may need to inspect the car before giving the ‘go ahead.’
After the insurance company approves the supplement request, any necessary parts can be ordered. The repair shop may need to wait a few days for the additional parts to arrive before completing the work.
The initial payment, made when you accept a repair estimate, is based on the quoted amount. This may not be the final cost of the parts and labor involved in the repair. Information included with the initial payment receipt explains that supplements may be necessary. If additional damage is found during the repair process, the shop will contact the insurance company to get approval for any supplemental charges before completing the job.
“We make supplemental insurance requests every day, on over 85% of our jobs,” says Jon Roach, owner of Alexander Body & Fender. “It’s important for customers to understand that any insurance estimate or body shop estimate is an educated ‘best guess’. We work really hard to avoid unpleasant surprises, but we also ensure that the job is done right.”
Because estimates are based on an initial assessment of the car damage, it’s also a reflection on the repair shop’s expertise. Don’t waste time and energy running around town to get more than one quote for car repair work. It’s best to choose a reliable shop and let them work through the normal insurance claim process.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, to estimate means to generally calculate the expected price. The itemized estimate handed to car owners requesting repairs is an approximation of the total cost.
es·ti·mate
Air Conditioning Repair
We understand the importance of a well functioning air conditioning system, especially here in Hawaii during the summer months. UNIBODY Autotech mechanics are kept up to date on the forefront of automotive AC technology, utilizing high-grade refrigerant and replacement components to ensure your system is running like new.
A properly functioning air conditioning system is paramount to the comfort of your car, and an inefficient system blowing warm, stale air can make even the shortest of trips miserable. If the air your car blows takes too long to get cool or is not as cool as it used to be, it’s time to get your AC system checked.
Auto Refinishing
UNIBODY Autotech utilizes PPG, the world’s premium refinishing system. The PPG Refinish Assurance Plan is our guarantee that work done by UNIBODY Autotech will be free of material defects for as long as the customer owns the vehicle. The plan applies to all PPG products and additives, and covers.
- Cracking or checking
- Hazing, chalking or fading leading to a sever loss of gloss
- Peeling of the topcoat or any layers from the substrate
From premium products and services, to the industry’s simplest, most accurate color match, the PPGs auto refinishing system will have your vehicle back on the road in pre-accident condition in no time.
Brakes and Suspension
The most important safety system by for on your car is the braking system. Being able to stop at a moments notice is the difference between a close call and a dangerous incident. This being said, it is important to choose a quality trained, nationally certified technician when checking the braking system.
The car’s suspension system is often seen as a provider of solely the ride comfort in the vehicle, dampening the turbulence of the drive. This system is consistently overlooked when it comes to driver safety, as suspension is the primary aide in providing stability and control over the car, especially at higher speeds.
UNIBODY Autotech Collision Center performs comprehensive inspections of braking and suspension systems to ensure the reliability and safety of your vehicle. Our treatment services include brake bleeding, rotor and pad replacement, as well as spring and strut replacement.
Frame Straightening & Collision Repair
Sometimes damage occurs to the body of your vehicle (think small fender bender), and often times the damage is much more extensive (think T-bone). When extensive damage occurs, it is vital that vehicle gets repaired properly. The vehicle’s frame is as important as a house’s foundation. If not properly repaired, a vehicle could become unsafe to operate. If frame damage to your vehicle occurs: frame, re-alignment and repair is required. Specialized equipment and know-how is required to fix a vehicle’s frame.
UNIBODY Autotech uses a machine called a ‘frame straightener’ that uses hydraulics and torque to slowly bend the frame back into its pre-accident condition. The entire process of straightening the frame involves using lasers and reflective dimensions to perfectly align the vehicle’s body down to one millimeter of accuracy. If your vehicle’s frame is damaged, look no further than UNIBODY Autotech to conduct the necessary repairs.
Wheel Alignment
A vehicle’s wheel alignment is an important factor in vehicle safety as it can impair the driver’s ability to drive safely. Often the vehicles wheel misalignment is obvious, as the problem causes physical pulling of the car to one side or even vibration of the car.
There are some cases, however, that are more subtle to the point where the driver doesn’t notice but are just as dangerous, making regular checkups regardless of the vehicle behavior important for driver safety. Our mechanics are equipped with a state-of-the-art wheel alignment mechanism to make your alignment visit quick and easy.