Does it really pay?

Some might argue that it doesn’t pay to measure all vehicles. And particularly when the insurance company involved says, “we are not going to pay for it because we don’t see any damage.  It was a light hit.” If a bumper needs to be removed for repair, it justifies measuring the vehicle. We need only find one structural control point out of manufacturer’s recommendations and your time and energy was worth it.

Keep in mind the “energy management” discussed above. One millimeter out of manufacturer’s recommendations could alter the airbag timing. If you don’t find damage, then great. At least you know for sure and you were thorough, complete and professional. You might not get paid to measure some vehicles where damage was not found and so you lost some time, but you didn’t expose yourself to a potential lawsuit by leaving damage you may not have noticed otherwise. And then you will be getting paid for many other vehicles where damage is found that otherwise would have been left untouched.  The inherent vehicle designs make measuring all vehicles a sure bet in your favor. 

What to invest?

How much time and money do you spend to get work into your shop? Advertising, outside sales reps, and marketing to insurance companies is expensive and time consuming. Don’t stop doing what is already working for you, I do suggest adding an element to your work processes.

        Walk your parking lot and count how many vehicles are already there. Add up the total number of frame hours per vehicle and multiply by 30%.

        For example:

        •25 vehicles total in process or are waiting to be repaired

        •150 hours (6 hours frame time each on average not including set-up time)

        •150 hours times 30% = 45.0 more frame time hours

        •45.0 hours times your labor rate (45.0 hours x $55.00) = $2,475

That’s $2,475 more net profit possible with just 25 vehicles.

It’s a lot easier to find more hours with the vehicles you already have to repair, than it is to find more vehicles to repair. Think about it for a moment. Do the above math by figuring the number of vehicles you repair each month, each year and notice how much money and damage has been potentially left behind. The above example is a small shop. Adjust the numbers for your shop accordingly.

A new path

Once you make the commitment to measure all vehicles, you will be on the path to a higher net profit, a complete repair, fewer comebacks, lower receivables, happier customers including insurance companies, higher employee retention, and phenomenal personal satisfaction.

Even if only the bumper cover needs repair, measure it. More often than not, you will be glad you did. Measuring For Dollars is a real method that, with commitment, can work for you.

Photo caption

Diagnose suspension damage up front with electronic

Measuring systems to reduce supplements (photo courtesy of Car-O-Liner Co.)

Photo caption

Damage Analysis system on two post lift

(photo courtesy of Car-O-Liner Co.)