Tips on Finding a Great Panel Beater

If you’ve been in an accident and your car needs some work done, you’re going to need a panel beater. These are the professionals specialise in repairing vehicle bodies back to their original state after a crash. And the last thing you want to happen after a car accident is to get ripped off or have sub-par work done to your car. 

Not all panel beaters are on the same level, so for the best, you’re going to have to do some research. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some tips for finding a great panel beater below, which will help you find a professional without all the stress.

  1. Ask Them Questions

It might be an obvious place to start, but a great panel beater shouldn’t have any trouble answering your questions – big or small. They’ll be open and honest about the costs, length of time it takes for the repairs, and any other topics you want to know about. If a business is skirting around your queries or just straight up not answering your questions about their work, then it’s probably best to move on and find someone else. They should also help you with any questions you might have about dealing with your insurance company.

  1. Find Out Where Their Parts Come From

One of the most important questions you should be asking a panel beater is where they get their parts. Generally, if the price of a smash repair sounds too good to be true, then the panel beaters are likely saving money when buying the parts. And while cheaper parts might do the trick for the time being, they might also cause some problems further down the line.

If a panel beater is using non-genuine aftermarket replacement parts, then that means the parts don’t meet the quality standards set out by the car manufacturer. If this is the case, then those parts are more likely to wear and break down more quickly, and in some cases, not work at all. You want a panel beater who uses quality parts certified by a car manufacturer. It may cost more upfront, but it will likely save you some money and headaches in the long-term.

  1. Check What Procedures Are in Place When Deciding on Repairs

Asking a panel beater how they determine what repairs need to take place is a quick and easy way to figure out whether there are set procedures for the business. And if a business has set procedures for assessing damage, it’s a pretty good sign of a professional outfit. No two cars are the same, so each vehicle requires a thorough inspection before work is completed. A great panel beater will meticulously check over the entire vehicle, and not just the obvious damages. Structural damage can often occur in car crashes, and it’s essential that if something is wrong, the panel beater knows about it. 

  1. Look for Specialisation in Your Vehicle Type

Not all cars are built the same, so it makes sense that some panel beaters might be specialized in a specific type of vehicle. Figure out whether your car is German, Japanese, or American made – as these are generally all structured differently. Your panel beater might specialise in German vehicles, while you’ve got a Japanese car. That means that the panel beaters might not be as experienced working on cars such as yours. It’s a safer bet to find a business that specialises in your brand of car.

  1. Maintaining a Professional Work Environment

The best panel beaters know that it’s not just the work that gets done that brings in customers – they’ll also take pride in their workspace. When you walk onto the premises, how does it feel? Is there a clean and tidy office space where you fill in all the paperwork or is it a rough and ready spot surrounded by tools, oil drums and car parts? You should also take a quick look through the workshop to see how the team works together, and whether all the equipment looks like it’s kept in good condition. You don’t have to be an expert yourself to know whether a workshop maintains highly professional standards or not.

  1. Their Experience, Reputation and Accreditation

You don’t want just anyone working on your vehicle – experienced panel beaters with solid reputations are key. Check out reviews online to gauge their reputation, and straight up ask the panel beaters themselves about their experience. If they’ve been in the business for years, it’s a pretty good sign that they’ll be able to do some quality work for your car.

Another very important thing to look out for is whether they have the proper accreditation to carry out smash repairs. Check whether the employees have the certificates from trade school, are registered with the correct managing body in your state, and whether they’ve received any specialist training from professional automotive industry organisations. It all adds up to quality smash repairs, and not every panel beater has all the correct accreditations.

  1. Do They Provide a Replacement Vehicle?

Life doesn’t stop just because your car needs some work done. That’s why a good panel beater service will be able to provide you with an accident replacement vehicle. This is a car that they lend to you while your own car is being repaired, allowing you to continue your life with as little disruption as possible. 

Great panel beaters can even take this service a few extra steps. Here’s how:

  • The service is completely free. You don’t want to have to pay to use an accident replacement vehicle on top of paying for your smash repairs.
  • They have the option to deliver the car to where you need it most (home, work, school, etc.)
  • The panel beaters have a range of vehicles to suit different types of needs. For example, family cars, SUVs, or zippy little things for getting in and out of the city.
  1. Does the Business Offer a Follow-Up?

Only the best quality panel beater businesses will offer you a follow up inspection of your vehicle. This generally takes place a few weeks after all the repairs have been done, and you’re back driving your own vehicle. The aim of the follow-up is to make sure that you’re completely satisfied with the work that has been done. It’s a common sign of a great panel beater. 

  1. Repair Guarantees

Our final tip for finding a great panel beater is to see whether they offer a guarantee on any repairs they take out. Only the best panel beaters will be able to offer a guarantee, because they know their work is made to last. It also shows that they care about their reputation and are willing to put their money on the line when it comes to top notch service. To compare a range of free quotes for panel beaters in Adelaide, just head over to DingGo.

The weeks following a car crash can be daunting, stressful, and exhausting. The last thing you want to worry about is being ripped off by a sub-par panel beater carrying out some dodgy work on your vehicle. With these tips, you should be able to skip out on the stress and find yourself a panel beater who can restore your car to its best. To compare a range of free quotes for panel beaters in Adelaide, just

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