What does your local auto body shop charge per hour for labor?
If you've ever needed collision repairs or a paint job done on your car or truck, you may have wondered about the shop's hourly rate.
As an auto body parts supplier, we work with auto body shops across the country. We've seen a wide range of hourly labor rates, anywhere from $40 to over $100 per hour.
So what determines a shop's hourly rate, and how can you find an affordable shop for your next repair job? Read on to learn the inside scoop.
The Type of Labor
Not all car repair work is billed equally. Paint and body labor that requires specialized skills and equipment will be pricier than general auto mechanic work.
For example, dent repair, frame straightening or window replacement will cost more than an oil change or brake pad replacement per hour.
Parts Cost The main cost driver is the parts needed to fix your car. OEM or original manufacturer parts are often more expensive than their aftermarket counterparts. A shop will mark up the retail cost of parts anywhere from 10% to over 100% before adding them to your bill.
The Shop's Overhead Like any business, body shops have expenses including shop rent, equipment costs, insurance, etc. These overhead costs are included in their hourly labor rate, with industry averages around $40 per hour. Now let's look at a real-world example using my recent experience getting a dent on my front quarter panel fixed. Here's how it broke down:
● Labor: 1.5 hours of body labor at $48/hour = $72 ● Parts: OEM replacement panel = $205 ● Paint materials and supplies = $55 ● Total: $332
As you can see, the hourly rate alone was under $100 but with parts added in, the 15-minute dent removal ended up costing over $300. I saved some money by opting for paintless dent repair instead of having the panel replaced and repainted, which would have added hours of extra labor and materials costs. Here are a few other tips to keep your auto body expenses in check:
● Get quotes from multiple shops - Rates can vary drastically, so always compare prices. ● Ask if aftermarket parts are an option - Lower parts costs mean a lower total bill. ● Consider paintless dent repair for minor dents/dings - Can often be done quickly with no new parts needed. ● Ask about discounts for paying cash - Some shops offer 5-10% off for cash payments.
● Negotiate - It never hurts to politely ask if they can take a little off the price. The worst they can say is no.
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