Car Body Repair Calculator

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Car Body Repair Cost Estimator

Minor (Scratches, small dents – ~3 hours per panel) Medium (Deep creases, large dents – ~7 hours per panel) Major (Structural damage, panel replacement – ~15 hours per panel)
Standard Solid Finish Metallic / Pearlescent Three-Stage / Matte Finish

Estimate Summary

Estimated Labor Hours: 0
Labor Subtotal: $0.00
Paint & Materials: $0.00
Total Estimated Cost: $0.00

*Note: This is a rough estimate. Actual costs may vary based on vehicle make, model, and specific shop pricing.

function calculateRepairCost() { var panels = parseFloat(document.getElementById('panelCount').value); var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('laborRate').value); var severity = document.getElementById('damageSeverity').value; var paint = document.getElementById('paintType').value; var parts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('partsCost').value) || 0; if (isNaN(panels) || panels <= 0) { alert("Please enter a valid number of panels."); return; } var hoursPerPanel = 0; if (severity === 'minor') hoursPerPanel = 3; else if (severity === 'medium') hoursPerPanel = 7; else if (severity === 'major') hoursPerPanel = 15; var paintCostPerPanel = 0; if (paint === 'standard') paintCostPerPanel = 180; else if (paint === 'metallic') paintCostPerPanel = 320; else if (paint === 'specialty') paintCostPerPanel = 550; var totalHours = panels * hoursPerPanel; var laborSubtotal = totalHours * rate; var paintSubtotal = panels * paintCostPerPanel; var grandTotal = laborSubtotal + paintSubtotal + parts; document.getElementById('displayHours').innerText = totalHours + " Hours"; document.getElementById('displayLaborTotal').innerText = "$" + laborSubtotal.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('displayPaintTotal').innerText = "$" + paintSubtotal.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('displayGrandTotal').innerText = "$" + grandTotal.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('repairResult').style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Auto Body Repair Costs

Whether you've had a minor fender bender or significant collision damage, understanding how auto body shops calculate their estimates is crucial for budgeting and insurance claims. Our Car Body Repair Calculator provides a transparent look at the primary factors that drive up the final bill.

Key Factors in Repair Estimation

  • Labor Hours: This is often the largest portion of the bill. It represents the time needed to pull dents, align panels, and prepare the surface for painting.
  • Paint Finish Type: Modern car paints are complex. A standard solid color is cheaper than metallic or pearlescent finishes, which require more layers (base, mid, and clear coats) and more blending time.
  • Severity of Damage: Surface-level scratches are relatively quick to fix. However, if a panel is creased or the structural frame is impacted, the labor hours increase exponentially.
  • Parts Replacement: If a panel is too damaged to repair, a new OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or aftermarket part must be ordered, adding to the total.

Average Repair Costs by Damage Type

While every situation is unique, here are typical industry benchmarks:

Damage Level Typical Cost Range
Small Bumper Scuff $300 – $600
Medium Dent (Door/Fender) $1,200 – $2,500
Major Collision Damage $5,000+

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Identify Panels: Count how many distinct parts of the car are damaged (e.g., driver's door, front fender, hood).
  2. Determine Severity: Use "Minor" for surface issues, "Medium" for structural but repairable dents, and "Major" if the panel looks like it needs replacing.
  3. Check Labor Rates: Local body shops usually charge between $60 and $120 per hour depending on your region and shop specialty.
  4. Review Results: Use the generated estimate to compare with quotes provided by professional repair facilities.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this include the cost of blending paint?
A: Yes, the paint multiplier in the calculator accounts for the average materials and labor needed to blend paint into adjacent panels for a seamless look.

Q: Why is my actual quote higher than the calculator?
A: Hidden damage is common. Once a technician removes a bumper or panel, they may find underlying damage to the frame, brackets, or sensors (like blind-spot monitors) that weren't visible from the outside.

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