'Auto Body Shop Pre and Post Caution Repair Tips'
Some tips and considerations you need to Know before choosing a Body Shop.
From Network Auto Body, Hollywood, CA
'The Body Shop to the Stars'
Network Auto Body wants our potential customers to be well informed – ahead of time, so we are happy to offer you some very valuable tips!
Consumer Auto Body Shop Pre-and-Post work Tips
The following is some good and sound information on choosing an auto body shop..Most Auto Body regulatory groups offer basic consumer tips, but Network wants to offer you some you may not have heard of before to help you make the Right Choice when choosing a body shop.
While most certainly, Network Auto Body wants You as our customer, we have prepared these tips to help consumers better manage the collision repair experience, make sure you are treated right and provide you useful and valuable tips 'before' you sign on the dotted line.
Choose a Trustworthy Collision Repair Shop
Does the shop have a good BBB rating? Network does and has been in business for over 20 years. Network Auto Body been serving some of Hollywood's top Movie Stars and is known as 'The Body Shop to the Stars'
Have you looked for Reviews on the particular shop, consumer review sites such as Yelp.com often provide great insight from other customers experiences with a particular shop.
Network Auto Body has many reviews both in writing and Video for you to read and watch.
If a body shop has put significant time, effort and finances into their website, then you can rest assured they implement the same effort and quality control into the actual running of their business.
*Network Auto Body has a state of the art Multi-Media informative and educational website to match our State of the Art shops, just browse through our site for a few minutes and watch some of our new Widescreen Video technology features. We encourage you to compare our shop operations as well as our web site to any other, we think you will be presently surprised.
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Ask for some examples of their repairs. Most body shops only feature pictures on their website of a few repairs. Network is going all out to show you our work, review our site and you'll see Before and After Sequences in photos and Videos. |
Will the shop Arrange a Replacement Rental Car for you
Ask shop to pre-arrange rental car. Since the average car is in the repair shop for two weeks, ask if the shop can make recommendations for a rental car company and if they can make arrangements for a replacement rental car to be ready when you drop off your car.
Warranty: Ask about the shops warranty. Network Auto Body has a Lifetime Warranty to offer our customers
DRP – Direct Repair Program. All major insurance companies have them. They are basically programs the insurance company put together that offers referrals. Be careful here. The insurance company is looking out for their costs and benefits first. They often state that they can only offer a Lifetime Warranty if you use one of their preferred shops. But Network offers this either way. Also, should you let the insurance company make the first estimate? Be careful here, because whoever makes that first estimate has the advantage. If you bring your car into Network first, we'll have ample time to inspect all aspects of the damage for your benefit and for safety as well. Sometimes by allowing the insurance company to make that First estimate/quote, it can handicap a shop that you may want to choose in getting you the best repairs possible for your car. Don't shop for price alone. The lowest estimate could indicate that the shop's estimator has improperly assessed the vehicle's damage or that the shop specializes in "quickie" repair jobs and poor quality. If you get a quote that is significantly different from another shop, ask the estimator to explain why the quote is so different before you make a decision about where to have the car repaired.
*Ask about Network's Lifetime Warranty, we'll be happy to go over it with you ahead of time, and, since Network works with all major insurance companies, we'll do the negotiating for you.\
Get Everything in Writing Upfront
Review price estimates for work and parts. Get a written repair and price estimate of the work to be performed, as well as an explanation of why specific recommendations are necessary to correct the collision damage before the job begins. Also obtain an itemized list for all parts and services, with prices, identifying any used or re-manufactured parts.
Network gives you all of this.
Pre-Post work Process considerations:
If your vehicle has been damaged in a collision, you may be thinking that your car will never look or feel the same again. Well at Network we pride ourselves on bringing your car back to Like New condition, or even better.
Today’s computerized and complex vehicles with their high-quality paint finishes require a state of the art body shop and the skilled technicians trained in the entire repair process to achieve complete and safe repairs.
The repair process begins when a detailed quote or estimate is prepared, indicating all of the repairs needed to restore your vehicle to proper function and look.. In some cases, determining the damage repair needed requires removing damaged body panels or other parts. This results in the most accurate initial estimate possible. The parts listed on the estimate are then ordered. The shop needs to explain to you in detail, the kind of parts that will be used in the replacement and repair process, such as OEM or Used parts, etc.
If your vehicle was hit hard, then the body shop needs to be equipped with state of the art technology and equipment to correct any unibody or frame damage. This technology needs to be pinpoint accurate with regards to measuring. You can refer to our Technology Video and see for yourself how Network is equipped to handle the job. In most cases as with today's vehicles, tolerances can be as strict as three millimeters – the thickness of three dimes, what's more there are some vehicles today that require a tolerance no greater than one millimeter. That's not a job for amateur or semi-equipped shops, this technology is expensive and requires advanced knowledge and expertise to operate. Additionally, there can be many hidden damage parts, not normally visible on a quick 'walk around' inspection. This is where the body shop needs to be looking out for your best interest first, not the insurance company's. Network Auto Body uses advanced 3 dimensional laser measuring systems at all of our locations. Take a few moments and browse our site and watch our videos to see how advanced Network Auto Body really is.
Post Repairs – Pre-Painting prep work:
After repairs are complete, the vehicle is ready to be painted. The areas to be painted are first prepared. You'll want to be assured that all repaired areas are finely sanded, primer and corrosion protection products are applied and areas that won’t be painted are “masked off” and protected.
Painting – Highest quality paints:
Network Auto Body uses state of the art paint technologies like PPG, so you'll want to be assured that the paint that goes on your car will be a high quality paint.
Be sure that the shop you choose ensures you of the following:
That the painter uses a paint mixing system to mix the paint that will match your vehicle’s finish. A paint code on your vehicle provides the starting point, but generally requires a trained eye to match the paint to your vehicle. Often, paint will require "blending," a technique used to facilitate matching the color of your car. The paint is sprayed inside a spray booth designed to keep dust and other contaminants off the new finish.
*Network Auto Body are experts at Color matching and Blending, just watch some of our videos for examples.
Post Painting:
Once the painting is complete, the vehicle is reassembled with all trim pieces, decals, and stripes. If any new glass is needed, it is usually installed at this point. The wheel alignment will also be checked if the collision damage was severe, if the vehicle spun, or if a tire, wheel, or suspension parts were damaged in the collision. This helps to catch any potential problems with the steering and suspension parts.
Detailing:
Finally, your vehicle is taken to the detailing area for a thorough interior and exterior cleaning. Any minor imperfections in the new paint surface will be removed by polishing and buffing. A final inspection checks that all work meets the repair facility’s standards and the final paperwork is prepared for the vehicle owner and involved insurer.
The Repair Procedure Process:
Throughout this process, the repair business will be in contact with the insurance company handling the claim. The insurer may want to review the estimate and inspect the vehicle before or during the repair process. In some cases, the repair facility may need to obtain insurer and vehicle owner approval before completing additional necessary repairs not included on the initial estimate. Network will walk you through all of these stages and help protect you and your investment.
Network Auto Body works values protecting your investment so NAB works closely with most auto dealerships. While we know you can choose the shop of your choice, we hope you'll be another one of Our 'Stars' and make it Network!
Network Auto Body...”The Body Shop to the Stars!”
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