Why In Person Estimates Matter

 

In today's world of instant quotes and online conversations its very easy to forget that some jobs do still require a personal touch. Whilst a lot of our lives have got considerably more convenient with easy online applications, estimates & live chat services bodywork still requires a human set of eyes and hands to really check the requirements of the repairs. In person estimates allow us to provide our customers with an accurate quote to repair their vehicles whilst also being able to give the right advice and discuss personal requirements. We always find it helpful to discuss our recommendations face-to-face as it allows us to quote for new or used parts depending on the customers budget, negotiate which work is most important to get done immediately and which work we can recommend gets done in the near future. It's always nice for you to see who will be looking after your car too rather than just a faceless name in a chat box online. We can discuss and answer any questions you may have about your car repairs and we're always here to give advice when it comes to anything motoring related!  

It's almost impossible for us to give the right advice to people from just photos or videos as these often don't show the full extent of the work required. With accident damaged vehicles there will often be further damage behind the panels that is impossible to see from the outside. This may require clips, brackets or mounts replacing to ensure panels fit correctly after the body repairs. All modern cars have metal reinforcement bars behind the bumpers and a lot of the doors which if impacted can leave them damaged inside causing the structural integrity of your vehicle to be impaired.  

 

When it comes to rust on cars and vans often the bit you can see is only the tip of the iceberg. Often when arches, doors, sills and other metal parts start looking rusty on the outside there will be a lot of rust inside that you really can't see just by looking at the vehicle. We will need to remove panels and check inside & underneath to ensure we identity all the areas that need restoring. If left, rust just gets worse over time and the longer it is left the more it will cost you once it finally needs repairing. With the cost of used vehicles these days a lot of people are choosing to keep their cars longer and maintain them better. If you do have some minor rust on your vehicle do come and speak to us about how we can help keep it from getting worse and help to keep your car on the road to avoid unnecessarily replacing your car when it can be repaired.  

 

Another perfect example of why its so important to see us in person is alloy wheel refurbishments. Often alloy wheel damage occurs when hitting kerbs or debris in the road which does leave nasty damage on the outside of the rim which is easy to spot. There is also damage that can be caused which isn't so easy to see - wheels can be bent out of shape which will likely fail your MOT and/or let air leave your tyre. Alloy wheels can often be cracked too on impact which can let air out of the tyre but more importantly leave a weak point on your wheel which could potentially cause the whole wheel to shatter if it hits a pothole or hard debris in the road. Sometimes these things can be unavoidable when driving so don't leave this up to chance! 

 

 

Getting the right colour match can also be a difficulty when looking at photos, especially with older vehicles. To ensure a perfect colour match we often need to use a spectrophotometer as when paint has faded slightly using the factory colour won't quite look right. When we do an in person estimate we can see this and discuss our recommendations for colour matching and blending which are difficult to show from pictures. There are also a large amount of different paint finishes on cars these days - solid colours, metallic colours, 3 and 4 stage pearlescent colours and more! We often need to see the paint to determine the correct finish to ensure we accurately estimate the total cost of repairs and painting.  

 

Having an in person chat about requirements is really helpful when it comes to colours - often when we are refurbishing alloy wheels or discussing a full respray a colour change is often something that people want to do. We can paint things whatever shade you would like and we have a huge amount of examples here from all different manufacturers which we are more than happy to sit down and go through with you to find your perfect colour. There are literally thousands of options to choose from for body colours and wheel colours and we enjoy bringing people's imagination to life when it comes to transforming the look of their pride and joy.  

 

 

Another question we get asked a lot while doing estimates is the price of parts to get the repairs done effectively. Prices of parts can vary massively depending on the supplier and the condition of what we are looking for. Main dealers supply almost everything which is always brand new and often the best course of action to get your car repaired, especially when still under the manufacturers warranty period. We have good relationships with the dealerships in the area along with other motor trade suppliers so we can always find whatever parts you may require to get the job done.  

 

When it comes to budget for repairs we are aware that the price can skyrocket when buying brand new parts from main dealers which is why we also have great relationships with vehicle dismantlers and breakers yards all around the country. With older vehicles outside of their warranty periods it is often much more cost effective to look at used parts as this can speed up repairs and considerably lower the overall cost. Buying used parts does come with its own downsides though. They will nearly always come with some marks, scuffs, scratches etc from their life on the vehicle and from storage and transportation but don't worry, we always ensure to rectify any of these before we fit them to your vehicle making sure they are safe and suitable to be used in the repair.  

 

 

Ultimately, an in-person estimate isn’t just about providing an exact figure - it’s about making sure you’re getting the right repair, at the right standard, for your needs and budget. It avoids surprises later on and gives you a clear understanding of what’s involved whilst ensuring your vehicle is repaired properly and safely. 

 

If you’ve got damage on your car, van or alloy wheels the best way to get started is to book a free in-person estimate with us. That way, we can give you the most accurate advice, a tailored quotation, and peace of mind that your vehicle is in safe hands. Looking to book an estimate? Click the button below to get started!