How Do I Choose a Shop to Repair My Vehicle?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a repair shop.

The first thing I can recommend is to choose a shop that is registered as a licensed repair shop in the state you are having the repairs done in.

You should also be sure they have the correct equipment needed to repair your vehicle correctly. For Example: If your car needs to "Measured or Straightened" the shop will need a frame machine, measuring equipment, and a person who knows how to use them. Don't be shy about asking to see the equipment that will be used to repair your vehicle. Or: If your car will be painted as part of the repair the shop should have factory color matching capabilities and a spray booth. Again, don't hesitate to ask to see where your car will be painted or how they match the color.

One of the best ways to choose a shop is to ASK PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND TRUST! It is likely one or more of the people you are in contact with on a daily basis has had collision work done on their vehicle. Ask them if they are satisfied with the shop. If they were: ask some more people. If they were not: ask some more people. My point is don't always assume one negative or one positive referal is the "Tell All" of the shops performance. Get as much feedback as you can before you choose a shop.

I had a customer tell me they e-mailed their whole contact list to ask for recomendations. I thought "What a Great Idea!" An even better idea I thought would be to do this BEFORE you need to. Don't wait until your vehicle is not drivable to ask around.

Well I hope this helps some of you and I will be adding more tips in the future!