Expert: Michael Kakuk - 5/22/2010

Question
I recently got into a front end accident with my 1992 Acura legend that had minor damage to the hood, radiator, lights, and the front supports. I found a small repair shop that gave me an estimate on the repairs, it was $800 for everything. When I went to pick it back up he had added some extra money for some of the replacement parts that weren't specified on the estimations, we came to an agreement on the extra costs. I think this place is really shady now that I have dealt with them, they keep on trying to add more things to charge for. They replaced the hood with a used one that fit but was a different color, if it is in the estimation contract to replace the hood are they required to paint the replacement part to match the paint of the car?

Answer
DEREK.....FINDING ADDITIONAL DAMAGES IS VERY COMMON IN TODAY'S WORLD OF AUTO REPAIRS.
THE PROPER PROCEDURE UPON FINDING THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGES WOULD BE TO NOTIFY YOU AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOU FOUND AND HOW MUCH MORE IT IS GOING TO COST.

I"M NOT TALKING ABOUT ABOUT ANYTHING UNDER FIFTY BUCKS....CLIPS,BRACKETS, ARE TYPICAL.
IF IT WAS MORE THAN THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED.

IF THE ESTIMATE HAD REFINISH TIME LISTED IN THE PAINT COLUMN THEN THE HOOD SHOULD BE PAINTED.
IF YOU WERE WORKING OFF A VERBAL ESTIMATE THEN THIS QUESTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED TO YOU.

IF THE ESTIMATED STATE TO REPLACE THE HOOD AND REFINISH THE HOOD YOU SHOULD HAVE THEM REFINISH IT.

WITHOUT INSPECTING THE ESTIMATE IT IS HARD TO SAY.

TYPICALLY THERE WOULD BE PAINT TIMES LISTED ON THE ESTIMATE AND IT WOULD STATE WHICH ITEMS ARE TO BE REFINISHED.

MIKE