As a consumer you should fully understand how much a service for your vehicle will cost you but there are a few things that will end up costing you tons of money if you approach the estimate process without understanding.
The first thing you should understand is estimates come in a variety of forms.
Estimates for Order
This type of estimate is provided when you want the service performed and takes into account Labor Hours and Parts needed to complete the job as you requested. This is what you sign when you agree to a price at a service center to release your car for service.
For Order are estimates account for the actual price you will pay for a service with the exception of underlying problems that are not visible at the time of service.
It does not include any prior but not visible conditions.
It may include reference to some of the additional problems that may be found during service to give you a heads up that additional charges may be required.
For the most part this type of estimate is limited to work where you understand before you bring your car in that a specific job must be completed. Such as the purchase of new Tires, Shocks or typical repairs that you know you need.
Diagnostic Estimates
This type of estimate is provided after an inspection of your vehicle but before you agree the work should be performed.
Diagnostic tests are performed to identify an unknown problem.
Many businesses will provide a free diagnostic estimate in hopes of getting your service and this is where huge problems can happen.
If you decide that you do not want the service completed a number of things may happen to cost you great expense.
If the vehicle needs to be disassembled during the diagnostic test the business will most likely not restore it to the condition it was when you brought it in.
For instance if your breaks are making noise and a mechanic removes your break shoes to find the problem you will likely hear the manager state to you that they will not put the breaks back together using your old parts.
In this case you are looking at having your vehicle towed away if that is even possible just because you wanted the mechanic to take a look at functioning breaks that were making noise.
BE CAREFUL make sure you ask about their policy and ask if the diagnoses will disable your vehicle.
Ballpark or Non-Binding Estimates
This type of estimate is often provided over the phone or if you are asking for a service that is not necessary just so you can check approximate costs.
Ballpark estimates are very common in the Auto Body industry when you need work done that is not necessary for safety or function.
You bring your car to a shop and ask hey about how much would it cost to paint a silver stripe down the side or for an overall paint job. The mechanic or owner will take a quick look at your car and may give you a verbal or back of a business card estimate telling you actual prices will need to be figured out when you bring your car in for the work.
This is a good deal for both the consumer and the business. It allows you to understand a non-specific price so you can shop for a better one and it allows the mechanic to get back to work on paying customer cars.
For instance you had a small accident and replaced your front fender with a junkyard or aftermarket fender that you need painted. You go to the body shop and they say $200 and maybe you think that is a little high so you go to another and they say $175.
When you actually get the work done it ends up costing you $190 at the second shop but when you bring your car in for service they do a full For Order Estimate giving you the price before work starts.
Dealers Vs Small Shops
When it comes to estimates there is very little difference between a dealer owned service center and a small local shop.
As a matter of fact you are most likely to have the best repairs at the lowest cost when you find a shop with good management and employees regardless of the business’s: size, affiliation / national chain status, or even the fact they are the dealer that sold you the vehicle.
Remember your next repair will only be as good as the New Guy they hired to do the work. And if the business changes management you can throw everything you ever trusted or also disliked about them out the window.
Having a problem during the Estimate Process is a real indicator that the Repair Process won’t be much better.
Final Note
An invasive Diagnostic Estimate can end up hanging you out to dry with no other choice but to have that shop perform the work.
They are not always a bad thing if you know the establishment and the quality of work they perform. Where you run into problems is when you are on the road and have little other choice but to visit the closest shop.
Always ask that the inspection be completed in such a way that you can still drive the vehicle.
At the very least this gives you the ability to have your car towed to another service center.
You do not want them removing your ball joints, axles or other items just to inspect the damage if that would strand your vehicle on their lift.
Doing so is likely to put you in a situation where they can set any price they want.