Is your body shop quote fair?
A fair body shop quote bills paint and materials at $40–$60 per refinish hour, the range 84% of U.S. shops that bill this way charge (2025 national survey), and a blend at no more than 50% of the blended panel's full refinish time (MOTOR guide). The labor rate, calibration lines and part prices are the other lines to check.
The rate 84% of U.S. shops charge when they bill paint and materials per refinish hour (2025 national survey; average $50). It is one of the easiest lines to check, along with the labor rate, the blend and calibration lines and the part prices below.
Body shop estimate lines and their reference figures
A body shop labor rate averaged $68 an hour in a Massachusetts survey of 476 shops, and every other line of a body shop estimate, from paint and materials to calibration, has a sourced reference figure in this table. These are reference points from surveys and estimating-guide rules (how we build our reference figures), not a price list: your shop's numbers can differ for good reasons, and a difference is a reason to ask, not proof of overcharging.
| Line on your quote | Reference figure | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Body labor rateRepair and refinish hours | $68/h average in a Massachusetts survey of 476 shops (median $65); AAA assumed $75/h | Rates vary by state and shop; ask how yours is set |
| Insurer-paid body rateWhat insurers pay, not what shops charge | $43–$55/h paid by 16 insurers in Massachusetts | If the shop charges more, ask who pays the difference |
| Mechanical labor rateSuspension, cooling, electrical | $108/h Massachusetts average (median $105); AAA assumed $110/h | Should only apply to mechanical operations |
| Paint and materialsBilled per refinish hour | $40–$60 per refinish hour at 84% of shops that bill this way; average $50 | Above $60: ask why |
| Clear coatAdded to refinish time | +40% of base refinish time on the first major panel, +20% on each additional panel, 2.5 h maximum | Should not repeat at the full rate on every panel |
| Blend adjacent panelColor match into the next panel | 50% of that panel's full refinish time (MOTOR); Audatex default 50%, adjustable 50–150% | A blend billed as a full refinish: ask which guide was used |
| Three-stage / pearl paintExtra coat | +70% on the first panel, +40% on each additional panel | Only if your color is actually three-stage |
| Overlap deductionShared prep between panels | -0.4 h per adjacent major panel, -0.2 h per non-adjacent panel | Missing on a multi-panel paint job: ask |
| ADAS calibrationCameras, radar, sensors | Windshield camera: $300–$400 per calibration (2023). Average calibration: about $600 (Mitchell, 2025) | Ask which system is calibrated and for the printout |
Sources: Massachusetts shop survey (Mar 2026), AAA (Dec 2023), 2025 refinish survey, MOTOR/CCC guide (Nov 2022 rev.), Audatex guide (Apr 2025), AutoBolt via Repairer Driven News (Apr 2023), Mitchell via Repairer Driven News (Mar 2026).
Check three numbers from your quote
The quote checker compares your body labor rate with $68 (Massachusetts survey) and $75 (assumed by AAA) an hour, paint and materials with $40–$60 per refinish hour, and a blend with 50% of the blended panel's full refinish time. Labor rates vary a lot by state, so the labor figure is a reference, not a cap. Type what your estimate shows.
Price ranges built from 834 public sources and refreshed monthly. Your final price comes from the shop's written quote after inspection.
Part prices by model (dealer part, unpainted)
A dealer front bumper cover costs $150–$210 for the lowest-priced models in our data, and the table lists the dealer part price group of 18 models for five panels. If your quote replaces a panel, find your model and compare the part line. Each cell is the price range of the model group your car falls in, based on median dealer online prices, part only. Aftermarket and used parts are not in our data and are often cheaper.
Show part prices for 18 models
| Model | Front bumper cover | Rear bumper cover | Fender | Front door shell | Hood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | $390–$500 | $320–$470 | $310–$440 | n/a | $710–$950 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $650–$870 | $610–$700 | $310–$440 | $800–$1,010 | n/a |
| Ford Escape | $580–$690 | $320–$470 | $130–$190 | $360–$470 | $710–$950 |
| Ford Explorer | $580–$690 | $580–$710 | $310–$440 | $800–$1,010 | $710–$950 |
| Ford F-150 | $650–$870 | $610–$700 | $600 | $1,250–$1,620 | $970–$1,040 |
| Honda Accord | $250–$300 | $320–$470 | $200–$270 | $560–$770 | $710–$950 |
| Honda CR-V | $250–$300 | n/a | $130–$190 | $1,250–$1,620 | $710–$950 |
| Honda Civic | $250–$300 | $200–$250 | $130–$190 | $800–$1,010 | $500–$670 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $580–$690 | $580–$710 | $310–$440 | $1,250–$1,620 | $710–$950 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $580–$690 | n/a | $310–$440 | $1,250–$1,620 | $710–$950 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | $390–$500 | $320–$470 | $310–$440 | $800–$1,010 | $970–$1,040 |
| Kia Sportage | $250–$300 | $200–$250 | $200–$270 | $560–$770 | $500–$670 |
| Nissan Altima | $390–$500 | $320–$470 | $310–$440 | $800–$1,010 | $500–$670 |
| Nissan Rogue | $390–$500 | $130–$170 | $200–$270 | $360–$470 | $330–$460 |
| Subaru Outback | $250–$300 | $200–$250 | $200–$270 | $560–$770 | $500–$670 |
| Toyota Camry | $150–$210 | $200–$250 | $130–$190 | $560–$770 | $500–$670 |
| Toyota Corolla | $150–$210 | $130–$170 | $130–$190 | $360–$470 | $330–$460 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $150–$210 | $130–$170 | $200–$270 | $560–$770 | $330–$460 |
Source: franchised-dealer online parts catalogs (fordpartsgiant.com, gmpartsgiant.com, hondapartsnow.com, hyundaipartsdeal.com, kiapartsnow.com, moparpartsgiant.com, nissanpartsdeal.com, subarupartsdeal.com, toyotapartsdeal.com), 2021 model year (Tucson 2022), seen October 12, 2026. More context: bumper cover groups, fender, door and hood groups.
Questions to ask the shop
Five questions to the body shop cover most estimate disputes, and the calibration question comes up often: CCC found calibrations on 23% of repairable estimates in 2025.
Haven't been to a shop yet? Learn how the Car Repair Cost app estimates repair costs from photos, so you know what to expect before you get a quote.
How your estimate compares with the average claim
CCC's average repairable collision claim was $4,768 in 2025, with about 27.4 labor hours per claim, and Mitchell's average for non-electric cars was $4,955 in Q2 2026. These insurance-claim averages often cover several panels, so they are not a target for a single scuff or dent.
| Benchmark | Figure | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Average repairable claim (CCC) | $4,768 | 2025 through Q3 |
| Average repairable claim, non-electric cars (Mitchell) | $4,955 | Q2 2026 |
| Average repairable claim, electric cars (Mitchell) | $5,684 | Q2 2026 |
| Labor hours per repairable claim (CCC) | 27.4 | H1 2024 |
| Labor share of repair cost (CCC) | 34.8% | Q1 2024 |
Sources: Repairer Driven News on CCC (Dec 2025), Mitchell Plugged In, Repairer Driven News on CCC (Oct 2024), Repairer Driven News on CCC (Jul 2024). Labor share is for non-EVs three or more years old. For single repairs see bumper repair cost and dent repair cost.
Insurance and your deductible
In Massachusetts, insurers paid $43–$55 an hour for body labor while shops averaged $68, so an insurer's appraiser can write a lower estimate than the body shop. When an insurer is paying, its appraiser writes its own estimate and may use a different labor rate. Ask the shop whether it will bill you for any difference. If you are paying yourself, compare the total with your deductible: below or near it, a claim pays little or nothing.
Checking every line of your quote with our app
The quote checker on this page compares three numbers. Our Car Repair Cost app, made by the team behind this guide, reads every line of a body shop estimate and marks each one as fair, high or worth asking about, next to a line-by-line estimate for your car. See how the Car Repair Cost app checks a quote.
Questions
How do I know if a body shop is overcharging?
Ask for a written, itemized estimate that lists hours per operation, the labor rate, the paint-and-materials rate and the part type for every part. Compare each line with the reference figures on this page, then get a second estimate for the same damage. Hours and add-on lines are the easiest places to spot a difference.
What does "R&I" or "R&R" mean on an estimate?
R&I is remove and install: a part comes off and the same part goes back on, for access. R&R is remove and replace: the old part comes off and a new one goes on. Both carry labor hours; only R&R comes with a part price.
Is it normal to pay for blending a panel that wasn't damaged?
Yes, when the color needs it. Blending fades new paint into the next panel so the color difference doesn't show. The MOTOR guide allows 50% of that panel's full refinish time, which is less than painting the whole panel.
Why is there a scan or calibration line on a minor repair?
Modern cars often need a pre- and post-repair scan, and cameras or radar near the damage may need calibrating. CCC found calibrations on 23% of repairable estimates in 2025. Ask which system is being calibrated and for the calibration report.
How does my estimate compare with the average claim?
CCC's average repairable claim was $4,768 in 2025 (through Q3), with about 27.4 labor hours per claim (first half of 2024). Mitchell's average for non-electric cars was $4,955 in Q2 2026. These are averages of insurance claims, many involving several panels, so they are not a target for a small repair.
Sources
- Repairer Driven News: Massachusetts advisory board survey, 476 shops (Mar 2026): body $68/h (median $65), mechanical $108/h (median $105), insurer-paid body $43–$55/h.
- AAA: Cost of ADAS Repairs (Dec 2023): body $75/h and mechanical $110/h assumptions.
- Repairer Driven News: paint and materials survey (Apr 2025): $50 average, 84% of shops that bill per refinish hour at $40–$60.
- MOTOR/CCC estimating guide, refinish rules (Nov 2022 revision, archived): clear coat, three-stage, blend and overlap.
- Audatex Database Reference Manual (Apr 2025): blend default and range.
- Repairer Driven News: AutoBolt calibration report (Apr 2023): windshield camera calibration price.
- Repairer Driven News: Mitchell 2026 trends (Mar 2026): average calibration about $600.
- Repairer Driven News: CCC Crash Course, 2025 trends (Dec 2025): calibration frequency.
- Dealer parts catalogs: fordpartsgiant.com, gmpartsgiant.com, hondapartsnow.com, hyundaipartsdeal.com, kiapartsnow.com, moparpartsgiant.com, nissanpartsdeal.com, subarupartsdeal.com, toyotapartsdeal.com (seen October 12, 2026).
All figures are from our reference dataset compiled October 12, 2026 from 834 source URLs. Older figures are shown with their year and not adjusted for inflation. All sources →
Related repair guides
Price ranges built from 834 public sources and refreshed monthly. Your final price comes from the shop's written quote after inspection.
Know your repair cost before you go to the shop.
Take a photo of the damage and get a line-by-line estimate.
