Originally Posted by
MrCjolsen
First of all, the auto body repair industry has a history of attracting fraudulent schemes by both businesses and car owners. It's not uncommon for overestimating to take place when the knowledge that "insurance will pay for it" is present.
If the body shop is still in business and the owner is not currently serving time in a federal pen for insurance fraud this is highly unlikely.
Labor rates of $45.00 per hour (in your state) add up quick. There is an estimated time listed for each and every step of the repair process. Estimated labor times are based on an industry standard shop manual. Body shops can refer to the same industry standards for labor that any insurance company will.
Other things like plastic retaining clips add up quick at a cost of a couple bucks each. Hazardous material disposal is not cheap in Cali. The shop has to document each and every ounce of thinner used and properly disposed of to thin lacquer and and clean their tools. This also goes for enamel reducer.