How Much Does Panel Beating Cost?

Panel beating costs vary, but for most cars, the cost is usually between $350 and $6,000. Common factors that impact the cost are the car type and the types of parts needed to repair the car.

City Costs:

The extent of the damage:

In general, you will have to pay more to repair deep scratches than light ones. A light scratch is one that only damages your car’s paint. Deep scratches damage the metal beneath the paint. A deep scratch may cost as little as several hundred dollars or as much as $1,000.

Parts:

One way that some people save on panel beater prices is to get non-genuine car parts. While buying cheap parts will save you money now, it may cost you in the future. Authentic parts are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer, which means they are designed for a more precise fit. The genuine parts comply with the standards set by manufacturers in regards to safety, performance and quality.

Paint:

High-quality paints are often more durable and look better. Using such paints can also help maintain the car’s resale value. 

In addition to getting high-quality paint, you should also consider the tint of your paint. Every vehicle that is mass-manufactured has a colour code that can be cross-referenced by a paint supply shop. This allows the shop to mix a formula to match your paint colour. 

A good smash repair company will look up your colour code. Before painting your car, the panel beater will match your colour to a test card to ensure they’ve chosen the correct tint.

Accident replacement vehicle:

If you have been involved in a car accident, contact a replacement vehicle company. The replacement vehicle company works with the insurance agency of the at-fault party to cover the replacement vehicle cost. 

In most cases, you should not incur any out-of-pocket costs for a replacement vehicle as long as you are not at fault and you work through an insurance company. However, if you are the at-fault party, you may incur some costs. You must check with your insurance company to inquire about their policies. 

If you are paying for the vehicle repair on your own, then you will incur costs for a replacement vehicle. Shop around. Ask the automotive repair shop if they offer accident replacement vehicles. In general, you will pay more for a larger replacement vehicle, such as a truck or a van. However, you may be able to rent a small car for as little as $75 per day.

Repairing a scratch on a car may cost less than $100, but only if the scratch is a light one. A deeper scratch can cost up to $1,000. The average cost of dent and scratch repair is about $2,000.

 As for dents, the location of the dent and the extent of the damage matters. A dent caused by hail on a car door could cost between $80 and $400. A large dent on the entire side of your car could cost from $600 to as much as $1,200. 

Smashed car parts will generally cost you the most to fix. For instance, a smashed front side or a smashed bumper costs typically between $1,000 and $2,000. A significant dent on the whole front part of your car would cost between $2,000 and $5,000. 

Another thing to consider is whether parts must be removed or replaced. Removing an entire car part would raise the cost significantly in most cases. In the worst of circumstances, you might have to lift a component that cannot be removed easily or remove a part that is large and bulky. In such cases, you may have to pay several thousand dollars for the total cost of your repair

Scratch repair before and after shots. | Source: Spectrum Auto Refinishing Mobile paint and dent repairs

How to Create an Accurate Estimate:

• Go to the mechanic for inspection
• Request genuine car parts for the repair
• Consider the cost of high-quality paint.

Licensing and Qualifications:

In New South Wales, panel beating work is required to be completed at a licensed car repair premises. Certificate III is not required in New South Wales.

In Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria there is no specific license requirement for a panel beater. However, some employer’s may require a Certificate III before they will hire a worker. 

Certificate III is an accreditation course for automotive workers. The course requires an apprenticeship delivered as a combination of on-the-job experience, informal training and off-the-job training at a school or education centre.

In Western Australia, a panel beater is described as someone who aligns the chassis of a vehicle or repairs or aligns a panel or body component of a car. The panel beater is required to have a Certificate III license to perform this work.

One thing you should consider is the panel beater’s method of repair. An experienced panel beater will give you a customized quote for your specific vehicle and your particular damages. 

Some vehicle owners make the mistake of sending in a photo and believing that all panel beater repair costs can be assessed from just a picture. In reality, your car may have some damages beneath the surface, and these damages may not be depicted in a photo. While a photo can probably get you a ballpark figure, a closer estimation of the panel beater cost should be assessed in person.

Other things to consider are the qualifications and experience of the panel beater. Before you accept a panel beater quote, ask the following questions: 

• Do you have a Certificate III license?
• Do you have any licenses or certifications?
• How much experience do you have with repairing this type of vehicle?
• Do you offer any warranties?
• Can you give me a detailed, itemized quote?

 To save money, do the following:

• Request genuine parts (better materials save money in the long run)
• Shop around (some beaters charge slightly more per hour for labour)
• Ask for high-quality paint (helps preserve the resale value of the car)

What is a Panel Beater?

A panel beater is a car repair person who restores the body of a vehicle after it has been damaged. Panel beaters often use both welding and metalworking techniques to fix car damage.

Panel beaters are often responsible for the following:

• Repairing dents
• Fixing misaligned vehicle parts
• Making new vehicle panels to replace damaged ones
• Sanding out damaged vehicle parts
• Replacing broken parts and hardware

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources