IN MY ESTIMATION
DON’T BE A GUESSTIMATOR Do your research and remove the guesswork BY FORTY, THE PROGRESSIVE ESTIMATOR
I
t isn’t very often that the wheel is reinvented, but what happens to the old wheels when they have been improved upon? With each improvement of accuracy and performance, how long until the older model becomes a past solution to a non-modern problem? With today’s manufacturing processes and the further development of ADAS systems in more affordable vehicles, we have already begun to see the added difficulty of repair. When is someone going to reach out to our ever-valued estimator? Who is responsible for progressing your estimator’s skillset to creating a truly repair procedure-reflective estimate? Firstly, we need to look at a traditional estimator and determine their role. They meet the customer and photograph the vehicle; generate a guesstimate to the best of their ability and sell the job;
Being a progressive estimator goes beyond generating a guestimate for a repair. It is the process of identifying all the important key pieces of information required that generates the GPS-like guidance through the repair process for our respected technician. No details can be left out, no detail should be overlooked. a job well done. But does the work order truly reflect the repair process and does the estimator truly understand what is required to complete the repairs? Not usually. One-time-use parts, manufacturer-specific part numbers for panel bond, NVH foam, structural foam, hardware used to replace traditionally welded-on components—I could go on and on. A traditional estimator does not truly know the repair; therefore, they don’t write a complete work order, and how could they? PROGRESSIVE ESTIMATING
We’ve all heard of lean thinking, the concept of Kaizen or continuous improvement, the Theory of Constraints and many more. These ideas apply exceptionally well in the body shop by creating solutions to existing problems. 46 COLLISION REPAIR COLLISIONREPAIRMAG.COM
These lessons are not new; they have been the lifeline of other industries’ success around the world for years, we’re just applying them to our environment. This begs the question; what does it mean to be a progressive estimator? How does the day of a progressive estimator differ from that of a traditional estimator? Do they have the same type of supplemental damages added later? Being a progressive estimator goes beyond generating a guestimate for a repair. It is the process of identifying all the important key pieces of information required that generates the GPS-like guidance through the repair process for our respected technician. No details can be left out, no detail should be overlooked. Replacing a quarter panel? To start with, the estimator needs to understand the sectioning locations as well as the repairability matrix. What welder(s) is the tech to use and are there any welding aids that are required? Lap backing plates, butt weld or lap joint? You need to be specific. What if the inner UHSS is damaged once you remove the outer? Is it repairable or not? What panel bond, seam sealer and foams will your technician require to complete the job? Do you even stock the required products and tools required to complete the task? Let’s pick on the most exemplary repair in this; the Ford F150.
Here is my step-by-step workflow: A STANDARD ESTIMATE:
1. Replace boxside outer 2. Section cab corner 3. Remove and install 4. Blends 5. Sundries, etc. AN ESTIMATE WITH OEM RESEARCH:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Bedside replacement Cab corner sectioning Approved welding wire Backing plates or joint allowances Required hardware and products Perform recalibrations, etc.
