If you need repairs done on your car, make sure that you go to the right place. If you drive a Honda, you might need Honda mechanics to handle specific things. Or you might need to consider auto body shop locations. Something close to your home will be easier to walk to, meaning you won’t need to find a ride when it is time to pick up or drop off your car. If the distance is your priority, then you will be willing to pay a little extra money for that convenience.
However, you can also look for auto body shops in the area that offer cheaper repairs. Look into both everyday price and specials, since both can save you money. A shop with auto brake specials might not be the cheapest all the time, but if you’re able to plan out your repairs well, you can get the cheapest price when you need it. So, get to know the auto brake repair shops in your area. Find out their usual prices, but don’t be afraid to ask about any deals or discounts they might have for you as well.
Auto repair is very important to many people. This is because many people own cars, and they rely on them a great deal. Without their cars, they will not be able to get from point A to point B in many cases. This is why when a car breaks down, it is a good idea to have an auto body shop in mind, so that you will know exactly where to take it and not have to do the research in the event of an emergency. In some cases, you might want to replace auto parts on your own as well, although you should have some expertise before you try to do this.
You might have many questions about auto parts and auto repair, as well as how you can go about fixing your car. For example, you might wonder, where can I find affordable mechanics in my area? What is an all tire and brake shop? Are there shops that will perform any auto repair that I might need? Do I need to be selective, or can I go to any garage near me? It would be a good idea to go to a professional, who might be able to answer these questions for you.
Before you agree to have any work done by any auto repair shop — no matter whether it’s a totally new repair shop or one you’ve been going to for decades — you should get a written car repair quote. Doing so is by far the best way to keep your auto maintenance and repair costs reasonable and ensure you’re being treated fairly. So what should you look for as you compare car repair quotes (also often referred to as auto repair estimates)? Here are the highlights:
- PartsThe parts used for a repair should be listed separately. The shop should specify whether it is using generic or OEM (that’s original equipment manufacturer, the company that made your car) parts, and give you a choice between the two if such a choice is available. Just as when you’re buying house-brand or brand-name items elsewhere, you’ll need to determine if you’ll sacrifice any quality for the lower price of a generic part.
- LaborA quote should estimate how many hours a repair will take and tell you the hourly labor charge. Keep in mind that the overhead of the shop — buying equipment, keeping the lights on, etc. — is often built into this charge, so it’s not that your technician will actually be walking out the door with $60 per hour or whatever it is that the shop charges. Make sure that the shop agrees to contact you should the work run longer than expected — otherwise you could see your bill skyrocket.
- Misc. ChargesThis is where you’ll really want to scrutinize your bill to see if the shop is trying to pad its profits. You might see fees for something like “shop supplies,” and you should almost always try to negotiate those.
- Flat FeesCertain types of services, such as oil changes or tire rotations, won’t be broken down into parts and labor. So if you have one of these routine maintenance tasks done at the same time as a more extensive repair, you may see both itemized services broken down into parts and labor and flat fees on your estimate.
Do you have anything to add regarding getting fair and transparent auto repair quotes? Join the discussion below.
