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Collision repair

Paint materials: Don’t confuse expense with cost
Paint material dollars can be measured by the price you pay on the jobber invoice – the expense – or the amount you use on a job – the cost. The problem with the expense is it’s difficult to realize the value. To see the value, you need to determine your cost per paint hour.
Documentation is key to communicating the collision repair process
Our job is to create one damage assessment that clearly describes the repairs needed and how the repairs must be performed. To accomplish that we must use the estimate line, line notes and photos to illustrate what is expected.
Careful repair planning improves work flow, reduces chaos
How many repairs are in the dead zone because they are waiting on a sublet vendor, the frame machine or mechanical work? This chaos can all be prevented through repair planning.
Fast track repairs lead to better cycle time
Whether you call them fast track or express repairs, these small repairs could be the key to improving cycle time. Fast track repairs generally cost less than $1,500, which for most shops is commonly 45 percent to 50 percent of their business
Collision repairers feel more insurer influence this year, study shows
After two consecutive years of collision repairers saying they felt less pressure from insurance company influences, that trend reversed in the Aftermarket Business World 2017 Collision Shop Study.
Practical, thoughtful production process can reduce cycle time
In addition to including glass removal under preparation for repair, you should also think about pre-painting parts like core supports, hood hinges, rear body panels and even the underside of the roof if it was required in OEM procedures.
Scheduling repairs for anticipated vacancies is sustainable
I have visited shops with full parking lots who think they are busy, but realistically, nothing is moving. The repairs are all scheduled, regardless if a technician is available to work on them, just because it is Monday.
Effective collision repair negotiation starts with education, training
During this education process the insurance adjuster learned it would be impossible to resistance weld an LKQ quarter panel after a spot weld cutter was used to remove it from the donor vehicle.