charges

[AAE]

What do you guys charge to do retail (non-restoration) repairs? Got a call from someone with a Volvo with clear peeling on hood. what is the panel paint charge? What do you charge for other basic repairs on panels and how much do you add for bodywork?

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Estimate time need for repair, multiply that by what you charge per hour. Add materials, or estimate materials by charging 2/3 of your hourly rate x the amount of hours for the repair/paint. For example your Volvo hood, say you estimate 3 hours to strip and re-prime, say there are a few dings, you estimate 1 hour, then you would have to estimate paint time, this is where estimating software comes in handy, but a rule of thumb I use is $175 per panel (this includes budget materials like PPG Omni base, Transtar clear) $75 per blend panel.
Nothing is hard and fast it is simply a best guess, estimating software helps, as does experience. There is no one answer to your question. Try to estimate the amount of hours the total job will take you. Then figure how much materials you think you will use. Multiply your hours by the rate you want to charge then add in materials (customary to add 25% to the cost of materials). That will give you a number you can tell the customer.

 

[crashtech]

I pay a monthly fee for an estimating system that gives me the database times for refinishing panels on vehicles. Sometimes I charge about 1-2 hours of body labor plus half the book refinish time for strip and prime. An example on a 2000 Volvo C70 would be 2.0 body for stripping, 2.1 refinish for prime and block, 4.2 refinish for paint, 2.0 refinish to blend the fenders, and .5 body + $10 for covering the car. At the prevailing rates here, that is about $830.

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

Charge what you want to charge, if you want to be competitive you'll have to research what the other shops are charging in your area.

 

[jeremyb]

Some may think $830 sounds high, but must remember that every shop around uses virtually the same database. You can adjust your labor rates and supply rates to be competitive. The one I use, I pay under $100 a month. It's pretty much bare essentials. I don't use it often, but enough to justify the cost. I soon realized after using it, that I was severely undercutting myself on some of these repairs. Since collision work isn't my forte, like slinging mud and beating things out with a big hammer (LOL) it really does come in handy. You can get some of them on a trial run..I would suggest it if you can afford it. I really don't do much of this for the public, just referrals from customers and customers personal cars.