If you own a car, at some point, you might be looking for a paint and body shop for repair services. In truth, nothing lasts forever, especially referring to cars.
The brakes begin to squeak, it doesn't shift gears easily, the mufflers are cracked, and a host of other problems that call for professional assistance. However, finding the right paint and body shop in your area can be quite challenging, especially if this is your first time looking for one.
A study by Consumer Reports shows that car owners spend between $200 and $430 monthly in car expenses. And it takes very little to dent a car or scratch its paint. Thus, the reason for needing the right paint and body shop that meets all your repair needs.
Our team compiled detailed tips to consider when searching for a paint and body shop in Concord, CA.
Top Qualities of The Best Paint and Body Shop
Whether you are looking for a simple auto paint touch-up or collision repair, choosing a paint and body shop that strives to provide the best repairs on your car is essential.
This list details everything you should know to find the right auto service provider in Concord, CA.
1. Honesty is the Best Policy
Whenever you take your car to a paint and body shop, you always expect them to know what the damage is and how best to fix it. But some mechanics can take advantage of this knowledge imbalance and try to fleece you or your money.
After all, when a mechanic tells you that your car has a host of problems, you have no option but to trust them because you never truly know enough to rebut them. And mechanics know this.
Some mechanics can pull a show and mention a list of other made-up technical issues with your engine or air filters and try to charge you for a cleaning.
But a good paint and body shop won't be deceptive or pull these kinds of tricks. You want an auto repair shop that identifies the problem and repairs it quickly to get your car back on the road. You never need to worry about any tricks or deceptive methods to try and get more money from you.
2. Good Reputation
A good auto shop service sells itself. People love sharing good news, especially when they receive excellent service. The same applies to paint auto shops. If a car owner is lucky enough to find a good paint and body shop, they will let others know.
They might even spread the good word on their social profiles.
This is one of the easiest and most effective ways of finding a great auto shop. Ask your friends on social media what auto body technicians they like their services most. Check online reviews. Most importantly, check the negative reviews and how the paint and body shop respond to them.
3. Thorough Vehicle Diagnosis and Repair
An example of a paint and body shop to run away from is walking into an auto shop and telling the auto technician what you think the problem is, and then they immediately diagnose it.
Generally, a good body shop shouldn't make a diagnosis of your car without thoroughly looking at it or running comprehensive diagnostics. If an auto repair shop rushes the diagnosis or tells you what they think you want to hear, it's probably best to consider other options.
Instead, you want a paint and body shop that takes time with your car to ensure they know what the problem is and what caused it. Only then can the auto body technician be 100% sure of the issue and how best to repair it.
This also allows the technician to make clear and more precise price estimates.
4. Fast Service
Besides being thorough in their work, the best paint and body shops always strive to provide fast and efficient repair services to all their customers. U.S. drivers spend an average of 17,600 minutes driving their cars each year, rounding off to almost an hour every day.
That's to say, not being able to use your car when you need it can be quite an inconvenience.
Of course, it's also not realistic to expect a paint and body shop to repair your car as soon as you take it to the shop. Most repairs take time, and some parts might not even be available and need to be ordered. Not to mention the other vehicles queued up ahead of you.
But still, the best auto shops won't let your car sit in their repair line for days without showing any progress towards repairs. You can also always ask the auto body technician how long the repairs would take, so you know how long you'll need to seek alternative modes of transportation.
5. Provide Clear Price Estimates
Of course, sometimes price estimates don't wind up being the exact amounts. But that's why they are called estimates. The technician might find unexpected repairs or other issues that drive the price up. In such instances, the paint and body shop should notify you as soon as possible, so you're always in the loop.
But if you don't receive an estimate at the beginning, a shady auto shop might cough up nonexistent charges and try to rip you off.
So, always make sure you get the price estimate for all repairs before leaving and don't forget it. A good paint and body shop will be honest with you and show you all the repairs or changes your car needs. For the most part, reputable auto shops often give price estimates that end up either being their final cost or something close to it.
6. Patient and Competent Customer Service
At some point, we've all had the displeasure of encountering bad customer service, even from paint and body shops. You may have been charged for repairs you didn't authorize or ignored when you tried to explain the problems you face when driving.
Some mechanics disregard almost everything you try to tell them, assuming that they know more than you. But you're the one who gets behind the wheel every day.
What's even more annoying is that your car still has the same problems as when you took them to the auto shop. And when you try to call them to address your concerns, they insist that they fixed the problem.
A good paint and body shop doesn't just fix your car problems; they listen and try to understand where you think the problem is coming from. These auto shops also have guarantees for their work because they address your car troubles effectively. They can offer you a refund or continue working on your car until it's fixed.
This is the kind of customer service to expect from the best paint and body shops.
The Paint and Body Shop in Concord, CA You Can Trust!
You never truly know how valuable a good auto body shop is until you find one. Wills Auto Body provides premier body shop services for clients in Concord, CA. Have an expert fix your car problems swiftly and save you money in the process.
We also provide free estimates and handle your insurance for you. Work with a licensed and insured paint and body shop you trust for the best car repair services today