What you should know about Budget Auto Body Shops
There are a few things that everybody should know about budget auto body shops before taking your car there for any work. The differences are small but noticeable. It all depends on what your expectations are. If you want your job to be done perfect, you should not go to a budget shop. If you are more concerned about price and just want your car to not be wrecked, then a budget shop is perfect for you.
First, let's talk about why they are a budget body shop. Shops like these buy cheaper brands of paint so they can pass the savings on to their customers. That's great, except for the cheaper paints are duller than than the higher priced brands. But if you are looking to save money than you should expect that.
The next way they pass on more savings is with the prep work for your vehicle. They may not sand it as much as they should. They do it enough that it is hard to notice, but if you really study, you could see spots in the repair that could be smoother or blended better. Or you may get a slight "orange peel" effect.
Finally, these body shops want to do as many cars in a day as they possibly can. They are focused more on quantity than quality. That doesn't mean they don't do a good job, they just won't do a spectacular job. They won't have your car for days and days like the expensive shops, they might only have it for a day or two.
The shops that aren't categorized as budget shops will do a spectacular job, but you will pay for that. They charge nearly double for the same work. So you have to ask yourself if it is worth it. How picky are yo about your car. The average person looking at your car will never notice the irregularities, so is it worth all of the extra money.
I'll say, it is not the easiest work. I have always done my own body work on my cars, and there is a lot of time and energy that goes into it. So hey, if they can save you from doing it yourself, and the job is above par, why not give them the job and save a couple of hundred bucks?
